‘Princess’ sequel is a likable heir

VAN NOVACK

Anyone who is a fan of the first “Princess Diaries” film will likely

enjoy the sequel, “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” as

well. The very popular Anne Hathaway returns as Mia Thermopolis

Renaldi, the American girl who didn’t find out she was the princess

of the mythical European kingdom of Genovia until high school. Now

graduated from college, Mia goes to Genovia to prepare to become

queen under the imperious but loving tutelage of her grandmother,

Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews).

Unfortunately, the evil Viscount Mabrey (John Rhys-Davies) has

found a loophole in Genovian law that states the princess must be

married before she can become queen. The Genovian Parliament gives

Mia and Queen Clarisse 30 days to find and marry a suitable royal.

Mabrey does everything he can to sabotage this search, as his nephew

Nicholas (Chris Pine) is next in line to rule should Mia fail.

All the proceedings here are in good fun as the very American Mia

tries to adapt to her royal duties and find an acceptable suitor in

the process. Mia finally settles on the very nice but somewhat bland

Andrew (Callum Blue), a mild-mannered English royal.

Of course, there would be no movie if things were this easy. Mia

and Nicholas are initially at loggerheads, due to the competition for

the throne. Nonetheless, these two young royals soon become attracted

to each other, much to the consternation of their respective

champions, Queen Clarisse and Viscount Mabrey.

There are numerous funny scenes, prompted by Mia’s naivete and

American informality while trying to master the pomp and circumstance

of royal service. Mia’s headstrong American friend Lilly (Heather

Matarazzo) returns from the first film and helps keep the aspiring

queen grounded. Genovia provides all the trappings of royalty,

including the beautiful clothes, castles, quirky servants and stuffy

customs one would expect.

The casting of “The Princess Diaries 2” is perfect. Anne Hathaway

has matured into a beautiful yet approachable young woman who appears

to have a long career ahead of her. Julie Andrews has aged like fine

wine and infuses the role of the very unstuffy Queen Clarisse with

class and dignity. Callum Blue is likable yet appropriately bland as

Andrew.

Rhys-Davies plays an effective “heavy,” even though he is most

well known to audiences for his roles in the “Indiana Jones and the

Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Lord of the Rings” series. Newcomer

Pine looks like a movie star and plays Nicholas with a perfect

combination of charm and rakishness. Half the fun of this film is not

knowing if Nicholas is truly a rat until near the end.

I’m sure the intended audience for “Princess Diaries 2” is young

adolescent girls. Nonetheless, anyone who enjoys fairy tales will

probably like this film and see it for the pleasant diversion it is

intended to be.

* VAN NOVACK, 50, is the director of institutional research at Cal

State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife

Elizabeth.

‘Harold and Kumar’ fast-food filmmaking

Harold and Kumar’s burger run to White Castle metamorphoses into a

life-learning experience for the recent college graduates. The buddy

comedy “Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle” is part “The Wizard of Oz”

and part “A Christmas Carol.”

Harold and Kumar meet and get involved briefly with different

people along the road to White Castle; some are friendly, others are

outright nasty. The roommates also have life-altering experiences

through situations they encounter dealing with their past, present

and future lives involving college, work and romance.

Since graduating, Harold has moved on and gotten a job in his

chosen field. Harold’s lack of self-esteem, however, makes him the

office patsy, finishing his co-worker’s projects without getting paid

or receiving credit for the work. He’s also extremely shy with a girl

he likes from his apartment building. Kumar is still slacking off and

avoiding medical school, while continuing to trick his father into

sending financial support, at least up until now. With daddy onto his

scheme, Kumar needs time to come up with a new plan of action.

Neither does anything to remedy their problems beyond complaining

about their situations to each other and drowning their self-pity in

a burger, fries and a drink.

As a low-budget comedy, “Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle” relies

heavily on juvenile toilet, sex and drug humor. What makes the old

high school jokes work in this film are the likable characters,

Harold and Kumar, and the believable actors playing them, John Cho

and Kal Penn.

Their personalities are in opposition to each other. Harold’s half

of the house could pass for a furniture store ad, while Kumar’s

private living quarters looks like an undisciplined teenager lives

there. Harold is quick to panic; Kumar likes to take risks. Kumar

gets them into messes; Harold gets them out of trouble. Cho and Penn

come across as knowing their characters’ needs and wants with the

right mix of goofiness and immaturity.

Although Harold and Kumar have their vices and behave like

teenagers most of the time, they play on the audience’s sympathy and

sense of justice. As minorities, Harold and Kumar are witnesses to or

subject to racial abuse and violence during their nightlong

adventure. Enough humor is injected into the different situations the

guys encounter to keep the movie from turning into a commentary on

racism before leaving the subject matter behind them.

Harold and Kumar need to grow up, and their munchies attack

unexpectedly provides them with enough experiences to mature. It’s

also a rite of passage for the boys. It’s a night they will remember,

but one they would never want to repeat.

Watching “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” is somewhat like

indulging in a fast food meal. It may not be good for you, but every

once in a while, it’s fun to have.

* PEGGY J. ROGERS, 40, produces commercial videos and

documentaries.