Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4803 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-10-07
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 111 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
A thoroughly engaging fairy tale that's family friendly without being condescending, The Princess Diaries is your basic Cinderella makeover story given a fresh, affectionate twist courtesy of a game, energetic cast and a screenplay that skirts schmaltz in favour of gentle, effective comedy. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a frizzy-haired, glasses-wearing 15-year-old girl whose two highest ambitions are to become invisible and to get a few smooches from the slickly attractive school heartthrob. As a girl who can't stand being the centre of attention so much that she throws up during debate class, she's stunned and horrified when her coolly continental grandmother(Julie Andrews) shows up and informs her that she's the crown princess of the European principality Genovia. Soon enough, Mia has to undertake "princess lessons" (and a makeover) from her queenly grandmother, and eventually she blossoms into a confident, radiant girl despite the worries and pressure that her newfound status brings. What makes The Princess Diaries work is director Garry Marshall's guileless, irony-free approach to the material (based on Meg Cabot's novel). In comparison to most sarcastic, ultra-hip teen comedies, The Princess Diaries is refreshingly and enjoyably square, content to win you over on charm alone and not a slick bag of tricks. Hathaway is a charismatic, appealing role model with a sharp sense of comic timing, and Andrews--who came to stardom as the object of a makeover supreme in My Fair Lady on Broadway--is at her regal best, whether teaching Mia the proper royal wave or learning how to eat a corndog. Both leading ladies are complemented by a finely tuned cast, including Hector Elizondo as Genovia's head of security (and romantic counterpart to Andrews), Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best pal, and Robert Schwartzman as the good guy who ultimately wins Mia's heart. All in all, this is a royal pleasure. --Mark Englehart, Amazon.com

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Production Featurette A New Cinderella
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Music Video Myra
Music Video Krystal

Synopsis
Teen actress Anne Hathaway gives an endearing performance in Garry Marshall's delightful Disney comedy, THE PRINCESS DIARIES. Assisted by such seasoned pros as Julie Andrews and Hector Elizondo (a Marshall regular), Hathaway shines here in her first major film role. She plays Mia, a high school misfit who has resigned herself to social invisibility. Mia and her best friend, Lilly (Heather Matarazzo), are outcasts. While Lilly relishes the role, Mia just wishes a cute popular boy she likes, Josh (Erik von Detten), would notice her. Mia's life changes dramatically when her grandmother (Andrews) contacts her and Mia finds out she is heir to the throne of Genovia, a small European country between France and Spain. The klutzy, socially awkward girl doesn't think she's up to the job, but she agrees to be coached in regal manners by her grandmother before deciding if she wants to become a princess. Marshall (PRETTY WOMAN) is clearly in his element directing this light, charming teen comedy. Andrews, perfectly cast as Queen Clarisse Renaldi, makes her character seem both imperious and caring. Hathaway's performance and the presence of teen pop star Mandy Moore assure that young girls, in particular, will enjoy the film.

Customer Reviews

This film is good but the book is still WAY better
the film the princess diaries would be an excellent film and rate five stars in my opinoin if it was`nt based on the book.The book is miles better.Mabey because I have a picture of Michael Moscovitz in my head and Robert Schawartzman mabey the best choice but did`nt match my interpretation.Though some actors were the best chocie like Heather Matarazzo (Lilly Moscovitz ,Caroline Goodall (Helen Thermopolis),Sandra Oh(Principal Gupta).What is this Mr.O'Connell business he is Mr.Gianini and he teaches Algebra not Debate and History (God,get with the programme)and and in the book Grandmere (Julie Andrews) is mean and unsympathic to Mia and has a "hairless poodle that resmbles a rat" and she lives in The Plaza not some random house in San Fransico.And Genovia is princalptly not a monchary and would`nt become Queen but stay a princess (its is like Monaco) and when the beach party caused a riot Clarrise would of been happy because she is a princess and princess never shy way from bad publictly.Why is Mia`s dad dead? O.K mabey she could become Queen and she would of never of found out about her being a princess and all but she manged to find out in the book and her dad is royalty?Why can`t she marry Michael Moscovitz (because if can convince loads of politicans that dose`nt need to marry to become Queen why can`t she marry Michael because everyone knows they are mean`t to be together).Depiste all the little things I still really like this film and it one of my favorite films but the book is miles better(I reccomed the books to anybody how likes the film)

Just as good as the books!!

I enjoyed this film so much! As a fan of books I was quite worried it would be rubbish but it wasn't Anne is such a good actress that this film is just fab!!!

Second Rate Comedy
There are plenty films of the "disorganised frump becomes glamour puss" genre on the market, and this is a long way short of being the best. Film making by numbers, it is totally predictable and rarely rises above mildly amusing. It also suffers from over-sentimentality, particularly at the end. None of the adults in our house liked it, but our daughter thought it was ok. Young girls may like this. Otherwise avoid !.