REVIEW: Vanessa Hudgens Has Another Holiday Win with “The Princess Switched: Switched Again”
The next Holiday movie from Netflix’s is here and fans should be pretty familiar with its cast of characters. Vanessa Hudgens returns as Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro, and Stacy DeNovo, Princess of Belgravia for the sequel to The Princess Switch, The Princess Switched: Switched Again. This time, though, Hudgens isn’t just playing Margaret and Stacy, but she is adding a third character to her resume, Lady Fiona Pembroke, Margaret’s cousin.
In the sequel, we find Stacy and her husband, Prince Edward (Sam Palladio) returning to Montenaro for Margaret’s coronation, but there is one stop she has to make before heading to Montenaro and that is to Chicago for Kevin (Nick Sagar). Stacy believes that even though Kevin and Margaret have called it quits, they are still the perfect match for one another. It is in Montenaro, where Stacy comes up with the idea to switch places with Margaret again, so Margaret can attempt to fix her relationship with Kevin. However, the ladies never took into account Margaret’s look-a-like cousin, Fiona, who has her own switcheroo planned for Margaret.
Just like the original movie, Hudgens is so fun to watch play Margaret and Stacy. She plays both with such ease and joy that it’s hard not to love her performance. But with this film, Hudgens gets to not only play those two, but Fiona as well. By adding Fiona to the mix, her performance is that much better. Hudgens has no problem navigating between the three characters, creating a sense that you are watching a different actress play each role. There are some parts, especially with Fiona though, where you know it is Hudgens playing the role. However, it doesn’t distract too much from the story.
Palladio and Sagar return as Stacy and Margaret’s love interests and they are just as adorable as ever. We get to see a little more from Sagar this time around and, if anything, his performance will make you fall more in love with Kevin. Mark Fleischmann returns as Frank and Suanne Braun as Mrs. Donatelli and the pair are even more fun this time around.
The film, like its predecessor, features your typical Holiday cheesiness, but it is the right amount of cheesiness. This film will have everyone getting into the Holiday spirit and, if the storyline doesn’t do it for you, the music definitely will.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again is the perfect follow-up and the perfect movie to watch this Holiday season. There is also a nice little cameo in the movie that will have everyone jumping in their seats.
Grade: A