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
