'The Princess Diaries' runs longer than it needs to, though it’s still a pretty enjoyable movie. Anne Hathaway, as Mia, really carries the film; she’s the one character I expect to stick with me from this 2001 release. Julie Andrews, playing Clarisse, is fine too, and Héctor Elizondo brings considerable charm to his part as Joe. Karl Makinen has a very brief appearance, recognizable from 'The Walking Dead'. I d…

It’s enjoyable enough to revisit and easy to suggest to others. The storyline feels familiar, though I can’t say for certain if the “surprise, you’re royal” element is a well-worn plot device. Creating an entirely new nation for this story seems like a specific variation on that idea. What definitely comes across as a trope is the transformation reminiscent of "She's All That," where an awkward and plain girl u…