The Princess Switch

"Christmas wishes have been known to come true"

Filmology Rating: 2.5 out of 4

If you're anything like me, you've probably had your fill of Christmas movies. However, If you're craving one more, then The Princess Switch streaming on Netflix may be worth a look. Why? It offers a double serving of Vanessa Hudgens in what is supposed to be a modern retelling of “The Prince And The Pauper.” But it is more like a mixture of The Parent Trap and The Princess Diaries.

The story goes like this. Uptight Stacy DeNovo (Hudgens #1) runs a bakery with long term friend Kevin (Nick Sagar) who she isn't hooking up with because she's pining away for her old boyfriend who broke up with her three years ago. Kevin has had a failed relationship too, and is ready to move on (with Stacy, hopefully). But, Stacy doesn't think of him that way. Kevin encourages her to compete in a prestigious baking competition in the made up country of Belgravia where everyone speaks with British accents. While there, Stacey literally bumps into Lady Margaret Delacourt, the Duchess of Montenaro (Hudgens #2) who looks like her twin. The free spirited duchess takes this opportunity to switch places so she can experience what a normal life is like before her royal wedding. Hubby to be, Prince Edward (Sam Palladio) will never know because he will be away on business. Wrong! He had a change a plans making it all the harder for Stacy to pull it off.

Meanwhile, Lady Margaret is busted within minutes by Kevin's 8- year old daughter when she messes up their secret handshake straight out of The Parent Trap. Kevin is liking this new "spontaneous" Stacy so much that he is oblivious to the fact that she can't cook. And Lady Margaret thinks he looks hot without his shirt on.

There are many funny scenes including a scene in which (Lady Margaret as Stacy) and Kevin watch a Christmas movie on television, which turns out to be A Christmas Prince, Netflix's original movie from last year. This movie inside of a movie was an inside joke and good marketing on the part of Netflix.

The Princess Switch has a low budget. You cannot tell the difference between Chicago and the European setting. The entire movie was filmed in Romania, as was The Christmas Prince. It also has many plot holes. Who was kindly old man and why did he show up in both Chicago and Belgravia? Is he a wizard, one of Santa's elves, an angel? Also, the mean girl who tries to sabotage the baking competition was an underdeveloped character that was unneeded.

The only ingredient that saved this botched up movie was Vanessa Hudgens who was adorable in this dual role. She played the different personalities of the two characters well. She also had great chemistry with the two male leads. Her British accent leaves a little to be desired, but it's passable. I love her hairstyles, both as Stacy and Lady Margaret.

My one big complaint about this movie was the ending. A character is supposed to grow and change throughout a film, especially a trading places film. It was too cliché that they fell in love with the other one's partner in just two days. Didn't Disney's Frozen just make a joke about that?

Overall, The Princess Switch is a cute movie that you can glance at while you're baking your Christmas cookies. Fans of Vanessa Hudgens and the High School Musical franchise will especially enjoy this Netflix Original Movie. Who knows it may become a guilty pleasure!

Rating: See It

-Margie