I can’t stress this enough: The Princess Diaries. I get it as a 30-year-old; it might not seem “cool” or “fun,” but man, does it ever hit a sour spot. For those of us who lived through the early 2000s, the pop culture landscape was just different. From the iconic leg-swing shot in Hot Shots 2 Part Deux to the diverse flair of Baby Boy, there was always something to watch. On the lighter side of pop culture, we had names like Bring It On, Love Don’t Cost a Thing, and She’s the Man. Yeah, I just said that. we can rave about American Pie, but who doesn’t remember the flash on the football field?, These are just a few of the names that reigned over the VCR or CD player. Yeah, back then the film came in cases, weird right?
But again, we’re still talking about The Princess Diaries. With Disney’s live-action release of Lilo & Stitch, they’ve practically raised the bar, especially considering 626 (Stitch) and 627 (Evile) were around back then, too. Then there is The Princess Diaries. Twenty years later, we still remember the “slop” where the car breaks down, the flyover with the terrible biscuits, her ever-vibrant best friend, and, to this day, the coolest driver ever. These are the things that stick with us: Mia drenched in the rain as she doubts if the royal lifestyle is for her. This wasn’t just any teenage girl’s fantasy movie; it was D teenage girl’s fantasy movie.
I remember her mom’s fondness for painting as Mia left for school in the morning, her grandmother’s dignified yet modest demeanor, and of course, her feelings for the driver, Joe. Yes, folks, it was grand. It was an epic tale with a solid cast and masterful talent that lives on with us today. With rumors circling that the director of Crazy Rich Asians is spearheading the project, I’m sure it’s going to be witty and vibrant. It may draw you in, but I wonder about the new faces. Will they live up to the hype or destroy something truly awesome? not sure about you, but even this regined.
