A Christmas Prince (2017) Reviews

• Schmalzy but nice

  bertvleeuwen-646-6508322017-11-18

  A very 'schmalzy' story, at the level of the Princess' diaries, but nicely done. Rose McIver is just enough 'innocent looking' to make this work. Nicest performance by Honor Kneafsey as the handicapped princess, gaining confidence from her non-teacher. Of course the bad guy and girl are caricatures. Ben Lamb is a prince as the story demands; Alice Krige appears the run-of-the-mill conservative, old queen, but with a few devious traits she saves the role. In short, sentimental, but just right for Christmas.

• On the fence

  TheLittleSongbird2017-11-30

  Saw 'A Christmas Prince' with my flatmate on Netflix already in the Christmas spirit. After watching, my overall thoughts were that while 'A Christmas Prince' was watchable it left me torn as to what to make of it. On one view we have a few performances that make the grade. The best performance as the most well-rounded character by far (the only one to get development beyond cliché) comes from Honor Kneafsey, Emily starts off as a brat initially but grows as the character that one roots for the most. Rose McIver and Ben Lamb also give charming performances and have an easy going romantic chemistry. Alice Krige brings understated dignity to the queen. 'A Christmas Prince' looks pretty good. The scenery is beautifully picturesque and has a really festive feel and the castle interiors and exteriors are enough to make one want to stay there. The photography is suitably slick. The music puts one into the festive mood and gives off a cosy nostalgia. Spotting the famous Christmas songs and carols is a delight and there is the serious temptation to sing along. There is some charm and genuine sweetness here while Amber and Emily's chemistry is very heartfelt. Didn't find myself bored either. However, the rest of the cast don't make much of an impression, most are bland. Then there is Theo Devaney and Emma Louise Saunders who play their stock villain characters with such broad hamminess that they make over-the-top villain characters in Christmas pantomimes more subtle in comparison. It is hard to deny too that 'A Christmas Prince', even for trying to take it for what it is, is riddled with clichés, non-stop predictability and contrivance. One has to suspend disbelief at how long it takes for the lie to be exposed, Amber constantly narrowly escaping being caught and how things are resolved far too quickly and easily. The script throughout is peppered with cheese (especially Simon and Sophia) and mawkish schmaltz, and of the characters although the leads are reasonably likable the only one to have any development is Emily. Simon and Sophia are plot-device material there for the sake of it and the way they're written and their antics jar tonally. Concluding, very torn on what to think. Part of me can't be too hard on it, but the faults are pretty glaring also. 5/10 Bethany Cox

• This movie is exactly what you think it is

  otokogoroshi-435-7981512018-02-10

  If you want a movie with no surprises, twists, unique plots, characters or any kind of deviation from a very strict formula... then you'll probably like this movie. I don't mean that in an insulting fashion. This movie is the food equivalent of cotton candy. Sweet but without any substance. It's a standard boy meets girl but girl is hiding something plot (Never Been Kissed, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), with the the male love interest being a Prince. Before going in I could have written all the plot beats on a paper and gotten them largely on the nose. The difference is she isn't just keeping a secret from him she's stalking him. She's a reporter trying to get a scoop on the Prince who has an unearned 'Playboy' title (with no real reason given). The reporter goes undercover as the tutor for the Prince's younger sister and within minutes of her arrival and introduction she's destroyed a million dollar Ming vase. For reasons I can't fathom she's allowed to stay around (days later she ruins a painting that looks to be several hundred years old). As the movie progresses, with time being difficult to track, the Prince is shown to be Absolutely Perfect. The lead actress is proven to be an unethical piece of trash but played by a very charming actress! She ends up coming across documents that prove the Prince is adopted, and thus not eligible for the crown. She agonizes over reporting this and actually does tell 2 friends back at her magazine. I'm sorry but she's lost all moral ground at this point and is now A Bad Person. Spying on and stalking the Prince are already Bad Things, but to steal documents that she found by chance and then even for a second considering releasing them? Honestly when everything played out (the reveal, the evil cousin because there is always one of those, trying to take the crown) and she saves the day because for some reason the previous king can make up new laws without anyone ever finding out about them. She goes home all sad like. Then of course the 100% expected thing happens. The Prince, now King, shows up in New York and proposes to her. Because of course he does. The movie genuinely feels as if minimal effort went into making it. It was very paint by numbers. Nothing unique or interesting happens that deviates from what one would expect. So if you're looking for some Christmas movie pap, go see it! Amber should have been thrown in jail though.

• Do not watch this if you're above the age of 10.

  Imme-van-Gorp2017-12-25

  I watched this movie with my family this Christmas and we all regret it. It was a very simple movie: You can literally predict everything that happens after only watching 10 minutes. If you are above the age of 10 I would not recommend watching this movie. I thought it was very unrealistic how they handled all their problems and some things were just too easily ignored, while we were all sitting here like "What are they doing? Why is nobody noticing/commenting on this?" Another thing that really bothered me (although I know that it sounds superficial) was the height difference between Amber/Martha and prince Richard. She literally looked like his little sister. It really could have been better casted if you'd ask me. I decided to give this a 5/10, because I can understand little kids might enjoy this movie. So if this movie is meant for children (which I assume it is), it's entertaining and doesn't deserve a horrible grade, although it's still not a high quality movie. 3/10. -Imme van Gorp

• Take it in good spirits

  alexandreajcook2017-11-18

  This is cheesy and a straight-shooting plot line. It's an easy watch, enjoyable movie, but don't expect much substance. The acting and script are a little cringy, but it fits the tone of the movie to a tee. You won't remember it, and you won't recommend it but if you enjoy films like the princess diaries or Hallmark movies then this one's for you.