Was very mixed on the 2018 Spring Fever films. There were a couple of pleasant surprises, such as 'Royal Matchmaker'. There were also a couple of duds, such as 'Home by Spring'. My expectations for 'Once Upon a Prince' to be honest were not exactly high, despite the chance to see a cast that didn't have any of the Hallmark regular actors royalty and romance have been proven too many times to not work and it was a premise that felt tired long before this was made.
'Once Upon a Prince' turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Not one of the very best 2018 Hallmark films, or their films overall, and not much new is done with this well worn premise. It is though is one of the better 2018 Spring Fever films and proves that romance and royalty in Hallmark can work with the right execution. That it didn't have any of the regular Hallmark actors (i.e. Lacey Chabert, Danica McKellar, Andrew Walker, Tyler Hynes, like most by the way) proved to be a plus too.
It isn't perfect. It does not admittedly have any surprises and follows the formula by the letter (while doing it better than most Hallmark romance/royalty films). Did feel too that some decisions were made too quickly, such as the decision to marry made just like that without a second's thought, and motivations rushed through a bit.
Did find some of the character writing too much on the one dimensional side (Jonathan Keltz's character veering on being a little too perfect), like there could have been more of why the queen domineered that much and what made her change her mind so easily perhaps.
However, despite how that sounds, 'Once Upon a Prince' does a lot of things well. Keltz was confident, without being overly so, and charming, very at home as a royal character. Megan Park looks radiant and also has an easy going charm without coming over as affected. They are incredibly cute together and are genuine as a coupling, appreciated too that the relationship wasn't rushed and took time to grow without taking too long. The supporting cast may have very cliched characters, but fill them well. Sara Botsford does domineering and regal very convincingly, without overdoing too much.
Furthermore, 'Once Upon a Prince' looks very nice especially the locations, and the music is not drab or intrusive. The film is directed with assurance, though never anything that goes wow. The script is not too cheesy (though there are some admittedly in the early stages of the film) or sugary and it at least flows, and while the story is predictable and not perfectly paced it's light hearted and charming with nothing that can be seen as offensive.
Overall, nice film and worth watching if not a must. 7/10.
