The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Garry Marshall’s sequel is not an adaptation of Meg Cabot’s second book. Shonda Rhimes wrote the screenplay and built the story from scratch; all the film takes from the novels are the characters. Readers following the book order will not find it here. Julie Andrews sings on screen for the first time since her 1997 throat surgery, and “Your Crowning Glory” was written on her own condition: “If you do it, it’s got to be with the five notes that I have, and you really have to set it very low, and you have to make it very simple.” Larry Grossman wrote the music, Lorraine Feather the lyrics, and Raven-Symoné sings it with her. Andrews will not call it singing; she calls it speak singing. The film is also Chris Pine’s feature debut. A clause of law sets up the conflict and another resolves it; Mia is crowned unmarried and the threat never reaches her life or the country. Made for 40 million dollars, it took 95 million in North America. A good fit if you are here for that one Andrews number and accept a mattress ride down a staircase in the same film. Not for you if you expect Mabrey’s claim on the throne to become real danger; the villainy stays harmless.