A fab sequel to the Princess Diaries !! (The Princess Diaries 2 (DVD))

Member Name: Jcapulet

Product:	The Princess Diaries 2 (DVD)
Date:	29/11/08 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots

Disadvantages: None

This is my favourite of the two Princess Diaries film and as much as I wax lyrical about a more impressive plot than the first film, Chris Pine plays a big part in why I like it so much. However, please try and look beyond my rather shallow opinion in this regard *cringe* and believe me when I say that he's not the only reason and the film deserves the 5 stars that I've given it.
The film begins with Mia ( played by Anne Hathway ) on the plane to Genovia. She has just graduated and she is on her way to finally begin the 'take-over' from her Grandmother Queen Clarisse Renaldi ( played by Julie Andrews ) and it's here that we learn that Mia and Michael have split up in the romantic sense but are still friends ( see my review for Princess Diaries if you're confused. ) and her mother and her teacher are now romantically involved and are expecting a child.

However, things don't go to plan. Viscount Mabrey ( played by John Rhys-Davies, who also plays Gimli from LOTR ) uncle of Lord Devereaux ( Chris Pine ) contests Mia's right to the throne as she is an unmarried woman and instead suggests that his Nephew should rule Genovia instead. The parliament takes on board what he says and agree that Mia should take on a husband before she can rule Genovia, but she only has 30 days to do so. As you can imagine Mia is less than happy, but realises that she must do this if she is to fulfil her family's wishes to take the throne. Unbeknownst to Mia, she has already met the dishy and charming Lord Devereaux at her 21st Birthday ball in Genovia and is furious when she realises this since they had a bit of a 'moment' and all along he knew what was going to happen. So when the Queen invites Nicholas ( Lord Devereaux ) and his uncle to the palace ( mainly to keep on eye on them ) Mia greets Nicholas with a swift stamp on his foot with her high-heels *ouch* Whilst the Nicholas and Mia romance plot is unfolding, we learn that Joseph ( her body guard ) and the Queen were once romantically involved and Joseph now feels that it's time since the Queen is abdicating that they can begin their life together and so he proposes.
Mia is now on the prowl for a husband and they eventually find a suitable match in the form of Andrew ( played by Callum Blue ) an aristocrat from England. They meet and get along very well, but the spark isn't quite there, but Mia continues in the hope of a happy marriage regardless. However, as the preparations for the Coronation ceremony begin, she is thrust more and more into the company of Nicholas and as much as she doesn't want to be she finds herself drawn to him, in a way very different to Andrew. At a garden party Andrew arrives with a female companion and Mia is secretly jealous and whilst Nicholas and Mia are off arguing and sharing an illicit kiss Andrew and Nicholas' date begin to become closer themselves. Eventually, Nicholas and Mia admit to each other that the spark is not there but they are willing to go through with the wedding out of duty. However, Nicholas' uncle is determined that his nephew is crowned as King of Genovia and as much as Nicholas ( who by this point has fallen for Mia ) persuades him to give up the fight, he continues with his meddling ways. Thus, the night before the wedding Mia sneaks out when Nicholas calls to her bedroom from the grounds below and they spend the night talking, dancing and sleeping under a tree together. However, Viscount Mabrey ( Nicholas' uncle ) has organised for a photographer to take pictures of the liason in order to embarass Mia and ruin her chances to the throne and a marriage within the 30 days limit. Mia is furious and believes that Nicholas is involved in his uncles scheme and returns to the palace to prepare for the wedding.
However, Mia cannot go through with it and makes a heartfelt speech to the crowd in the church ( in her wedding dress ) which includes the members of parliament and ask them to change the law so an unmarried woman can become Queen of Genovia. By this point she has proved to the Genovian people that she would make a wonderful Queen and so the parliament agree. The wedding is halted, Mia is crowned Queen and Nicholas and Mia begin to date ( whilst we learn that Andrew and the date Nicolas arrived to the garden party with also seem to be dating now too. )

A fab film with some familiar faces from the first Princess diaries film such as Fat Louie ( Mia's cat ) and Lilly ( Mia's best friend from home. ) All in all, a great film and superior in plot etc all round to the first movie, in my opinion. Suitable for all girls aged 7-8 and above !!

Summary: A great sequel to the first movie, so if you enjoyed the first one then this one is a must see !!