The Princess Diaries (2-Disc Collectors Set)

I suppose at one time or another, we all fantasize about discovering we are actually royalty. But what would it really look like? The Princess Diaries is the story of a plain, nerdy fifteen-year-old girl from San Francisco who suddenly discovers she is a princess and heir to the throne of a small European country. Mia, played by the absolutely charming Anne Hathaway, is an awkward, insecure girl whose self described expectation in life is, "to be invisible - and I'm good at it." However, with the help of her Grandmother, Queen Clarisse, superbly played by Julie Andrews (An inspired bit of casting, that. It is nice to see her back with Disney after her Academy Award winning performance in Mary Poppins.), Mia is transformed with the help of a remarkable makeover and "princess lessons." Mia learns not just how to be a princess but to have confidence in who she is. Not to say there are not some bumps along the way with mean girls, boy problems, and other problems all teenagers face - but in Mia's case, through the camera lens of the paparazzi. In the end, it all works out and she gets the right boy who "saw her when she was invisible" and sees her for the person she truly is.

The movie is family friendly and I would say the story is good for Jr. High and above. Garry Marshall does an excellent job directing. I must say it is good to see Julie Andrews moving gracefully into older rolls where her acting talents continue to shine. As I mentioned, Anne Hathaway does a great job as Mia. The show stealer in my opinion is Hector Elizondo who plays Joe, the Chief of Security, with a dry whit. Also appearing are Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best friend, Mandy Moore as the lead mean girl, and Robert Schwartzman as Mia's true love.

This movie was a great modern fairy tale~the geeky girl goes from invisible to fabulous and goes from a nobody to a Princess. Julie Andrews is of course an elegant, sophistocated Queen that loosens up with the help of her new granddaughter and the romance of her head of security and Anne Hathaway is wonderful: a cross between Lucille Ball and Audrey Hepburn. Enjoyable for all ages but definitely a chick flick.

Although I ordered this Video not long before Christmas it arrived in time to give as a Christmas present.

A great and entertaining movie, starring Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis , a dorky and less than popular highschool girl of 15 , whose life is changed around when she is invited to see her grandmother (Julie Andrews) who reveals to her that she is the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Genovia.
Lots of grooming and she is changed around to a radiant and beautiful princess.
This go's without saying , changes absolutely everything as everyone who previously ostracized her, suddenly wants to be her friend.
Her previous best friend, Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo) doesn't know how to deal with it. Lilly's brother Michael Moscovitz (Robert Schwartzman) falls in love with her,while Mia at first is thrilled to date the jock who always ignored her Josh Bryant (Erik Von Detten).

All sorts of jinks and soirees before Mia grows fully into her role as Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Her Royal Highness, the princess of Genovia.
Also starring attractive young pop star Mandy Moore as her catty rival, cheer leader Lana Thomas.
Thomas is also given space to show off her magnifficent talent by singing Stupid Cupid , selected for performance by her character.
Julie Andrews is in fine fettle , and Hathaway is a talented young actresses. Hector Elizondo stars as Mia's driver and bodyguard Joe, and is excellent as usual.
Ultimately humorous and entertaining.

This movie and its sequel are pure food for your heart and your spirit. They are also a perfect antidote for the general overdose of violence, hopelessness, and emptiness found in so much of today's media. Anyone, at any age, can benefit from opening up to the warmeth, humor, adventure, imagination, beauty, and sheer fun of these movies. Watch 'em both and experience some joy!