Cinema Review (From Barry And District News)

Cinema Review

The Princess Diaries (U) **

THE FAMOUS Walt Disney logo appears on the screen; an opening shot of San Francisco appears; the camera follows a couple of limousines while the titles are royal and grand. It's here you know whether or not you are in for something special. Trust me, you're not!

Mia is a 15-year-old, clumsy, unpopular schoolgirl with no confidence. When her grandmother arrives in town, she discovers she is a princess of a small country called Genovia which leads to her learning the royal routines, dodging the media - oh and of course, meeting the love interest. The word original doesn't spring to mind.

You only need watch for the first 30 minutes because at that point, you know what is going to happen for the rest of the movie. It's probably the most predictable film I've ever seen.

You really begin to wonder why you bothered seeing it - because it's strange the makers bothered making it. It's also quite strange why film companies buy dreadful scripts.

Anne Hathaway tries her best in the leading role despite not being the best at Miss Congeniality-style slapstick and Julie Andrews, complete with an Anne Robinson haircut, is perfect. But the pointless script lets them down terribly.

Garry Marshall, who helmed Pretty Woman back in the '80s, supplies a few thoughtful camera angles, but how exactly is he meant to build up sizzling relationships when the film is so predictable. There's nothing really wrong with a few predictable things now and then, but not every single element. Didn't Marshall stop and think about what he was actually making?