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The Princess Diaries
Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 27
  3. Negative: 3 out of 27
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    This charming, if unnecessarily coronation-length production gets the duckling-to-swan ambivalence just right.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    80
    This stylish Disney production is an ideal family film.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Loren King
    75
    Manages to wring some originality out of its fairy-tale plot. This freshness compensates for the expected hackneyed qualities in this Cinderella tale.
  4. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    75
    Entertaining and pleasing for children and parents, and not in the schizophrenic way of most kid's movies, which toss naughty in-jokes over the kiddies' heads.
  5. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Susan Wloszczyna
    75
    Isn't always perfect. But it fills an empty spot in the hearts of girls of all ages who have been pining all summer for a movie like this.
  6. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Chris Hewitt
    75
    It's such a delightful, amusing fairy tale that it leaves you wanting more.
  7. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    75
    A rarity: A fun, entertaining 'G' movie.
  8. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Ed Park
    70
    A modest, enjoyable fairy tale that easily outcharms its animated stablemates of the past decade.
  9. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    70
    Fitfully amusing comedy from director and one-time sitcom king Garry Marshall, the fantasy is alive and well among little girls of all ages.
  10. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    63
    A mixed bag with a huge amount of heart.
  11. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Kevin Maynard
    60
    Families already know exactly what they're in for, and they're likely to leave the multiplex high on the hum of a charming cast, sunny San Francisco locations, and a suitably happy ending.
    All this critic's reviews
  12. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    60
    Fluffy, candy-colored and aimed directly at tweens -- girls between the ages of 10 and 12.
  13. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
    60
    The director is Garry Marshall, but The Princess Diaries is no where near as nauseating a fairy tale as Marshall's "Pretty Woman."
  14. New Times (L.A.)
    Reviewed by: Robert Wilonsky
    60
    This innocuous, frothy fairy tale isn't so off-putting as you might imagine, thanks in large part to Andrews' ageless charm.
  15. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    50
    Goes on much too long, stretching a modest story into a marathon that outlasts its welcome by about 30 minutes.
  16. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Christine Dolen
    50
    If Andrews oozes regal poise and Hathaway radiates movie star allure -- and they do -- credit the actresses, not this flimsy fairy tale.
  17. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    50
    Prepubescent girls might get a few safe giggles while others around them are yawning.
  18. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    50
    Occasionally funny but more often hackneyed, schmaltzy, predictable and overdone fairy tale that seems longer than 100 choruses of ''Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
  19. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    50
    The extent to which The Princess Diaries succeeds is the result of how pretty Hathaway at first mimics, then internalizes, Andrews' essential majesty.
  20. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Joan Anderman
    50
    Unfortunately, the filmmakers seem to have forgotten that comedy is a requisite feature in a comedy.
    All this publication's reviews
  21. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    50
    This is "Pretty Woman" for children.
  22. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    50
    Exudes a pre-fab quality.
  23. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    50
    The movie updates Disney's blueprint without altering it in any meaningful way.
  24. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marrit Ingman
    40
    Critic-proof moviemaking, a candy pink wish-fulfillment fantasy prominently peppered with pubescent pop platters.
  25. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    38
    A march through the swamp of recycled ugly duckling stories, with occasional pauses in the marsh of sitcom cliches and the bog of Idiot Plots.
  26. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Lisa Alspector
    30
    Trite transformation comedy.
  27. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    20
    Such weak medicine. Sure enough, it goes down. Keeping it down is another matter.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 37
  3. Negative: 7 out of 37
  1. AwesomeReviewer
    6
    “The Princess Diaries” is a very simple movie about being true to yourself. Not letting societies rules bend who you are and want to become. It’s also about not being afraid and standing up for what you believe in. Simple and overused messages, but done in an entertaining and very fun way. Directing is effective and fairly fun. There are some nice shot and scene compositions. There is an upbeat energy throughout the film and for the most part that level of energy never falls. From start to finish it is a fun ride. The movie never feels melodramatic or anything and most of the humor flows naturally put of situations. Credit goes to the director for keeping it wholesome. One scene in particular gets me teary eyed, not a very long scene, but something about the situation just tugs at my heart. The scene is towards the end of the film where Mia is in her car, it’s raining, and she’s singing “catch a falling star.” The characters are also very fun. From a no it all goth friend to a stern driver, you get all sorts of characters. Anne Hathaway as Mia is likable, she’s funny, and always has a high level of charisma. She handles each scene very well as a awkward high school girl. Julie Andrew as the queen fits her as perfect as a glove. This lady has class and a very smart wit. The other character good too and add a lot of humor to the film. Overall “The Princess Diaries” is a entertaining flick. It isn’t a cinema masterpiece and there are part of the film that could have been better, but it just provide some very fun laughs. It is a breezy watch and helps pass the time in a fun way. I give it a 3/5, nothing new, but a fun way to pass the time with some wholesome laughs, “Alrightness”… Full Review »
  2. csw12
    7
    The movie is good. Manages to wring some originality out of its fairy-tale plot. It is an ideal family entertainment that doesn't deserve to be viewed on a critical level.… Full Review »
  3. Trev29
    9
    Just a great movie that really shined all around. It was just funny and sweet. There isn't much more to say than it was pleasant and charming to watch. The cast was great!… Full Review »
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