A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding

Usually family sequels are fun and run close to their originals, this film lacked everything it's original had. A poor script, motionless characters and Ben Lamb whose performance lacked any appeal despite he winning is over in the original. Rudy Ambers Father was played by a different person wasn't the right choice he played a goofy larrikin rather than the loving supportive father. Why the change??? Never the less I could go on and do a full users review but it would be a waste. I sincerely hope they do another original cast more energy and a better more entertaining engaging script. 'It's a no from me tonight'

Just like part one of this hopefully never ending series, the sequel was a dumpster fire of bad acting, awful writing and cheesy storylines - and I enjoyed every second of it. I don't watch these Hallmark-esque movies because I expect much depth, I'm looking for kitschy entertainment and that's exactly what it provides. Rose McIvers wide-eyed performance saves every scene she's in, which helps, since Indian Jason Derulo is one of the most unlikable stereotypically gay characters to ever be on a screen. If you want to spend 90 minutes with your brain in the "off" position and laugh at the absurdity, this is the movie for you.

A spectacular fairytale castle and gorgeous Christmas sets, like all the recent Netflix Christmas movies, but the acting and script are more painful than a raging case of Christmas hemmoroids. If you can appreciate this movie for the mindless fun that it is, you'll enjoy it. I'd give it a 7.5 but I couldn't stand the gay Indian wedding planner or the old biddy security butler. They almost ruined the film.

I hate the new dad they recasted. He's too stereotypical, "New York New York" kind of attitude and doesnt carry the calm, grounded acting father from the first one. He simply ANNOYS me and really makes me not want to watch it. Or skip all the parts he's in. I dont need his comedic attitude. I love the cheesy, loving, collected father which is what I related to with the first one. Not this all out-there kind of guy. Whatever I'm 15 mins into and already hate the dude.

Will admit to not being much of a fan of the first 'A Christmas Prince', which was one of those semi-watchable on-the-fence sort of films with nothing particularly special. Decided to see 'A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding' on Netflix as somebody who loves Christmas and many festive films, just in case anybody is wondering why the film was seen in the first place.

'A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding' didn't work for me, as a follow up and as a film on its own, and definitely the inferior one of the two. It was not from personal opinion a terrible film with a few good points, but it was at best a mediocre one, with the worst flaws being insultingly bad, that has all the flaws of the first 'A Christmas Prince' while amplifying them and having more on the way. Actually did want to at least sort of enjoy the film, not watching it trying hard to dislike it, have never done that with any film that comes my way with the genuine intent to always be fair.

Starting with 'A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding's' good things, the picturesque scenery is lovely as is the outside and inside of the castle which makes one want to stay there. The photography is neither drab or garish, though finesse is not a strong suit. The music is a pleasant listen and is infectious.

Rose McIver gives an appealing lead performance and Alice Krige is the picture of elegance and dignity. The best acting comes from Honor Kneafsey, a bright spot in the first film too, who brings a lot of charm and heart absent elsewhere.

However, the rest of the acting ranges from bland to awful. Ben Lamb is much less comfortable or engaged here, here stiff and going-through-the-motions, while his chemistry with McIver isn't there this time round and completely fails to gel or sparkle. None of the rest of the characters are interesting here, Simon is completely pointless while the villain is both underwritten and cartoonish. Coming off worst are a re-casted Rudy, who is very irritating, and especially the insufferable and quite insulting character of the wedding designer/planner which near-single handedly ruined the film.

The script achieves the not-easy feat of having twice the amount of grating cheese and mawkish schmaltz that the first film was peppered with. The story is muddled from trying to cram in too many story elements, all completely stale and some unnecessary, very thin and padded in some stretches, is littered with predictability and contrivance and the frequent lapses in continuity and credibility-straining gets on the nerves fast.

In summary, mediocre at best but not a waste. 4/10 Bethany Cox