I asked for it. I got it. Netflix has released “The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star” just in time for the Holiday movie season. I love these types of movies so you’ll find my reviews graded on a lavish curve. While the third installment to the “Switch” series is a few pegs down in terms of quality, it will nonetheless put you in a festive and fun mood. And that’s the point.
Set in the fictitious and enviable Montenaro, you’ll find yourself envious of the residents. The town and castle are decorated with flamboyance. Everyone seems to always be in a chipper mood as they prepare for the annual Christmas Festival. A priceless heirloom called the Star of Peace is brought out and quickly stolen. Do we call the police? Of course not. We instead turn to Lady Fiona Pembroke – a nefarious criminal with burglary expertise. A professional thief to help recover the star.
You’ll need to watch the first two films for this one to make any shred of sense. And even then, you may still be scratching your head. Vanessa Hudgens returns to star, this time playing three characters. She dons a blonde wig and an amorous personality as Lady Fiona. Hudgens has proven to be a talented actress with these types of parts. Three different characters with three distinct personalities. She can do the unnatural accents. And she can handle the jokes and physical stunts. She embodies the Holiday spirit. And she clearly has fun with it.
Other characters from previous installments return. Sam Palladio is back as Prince Edward. Nick Sagar is back as Kevin. Suanne Braun, Mark Fleischmann, and Mia Lloyd reprise their roles from before. Keen eyed observes will appreciate the cameos by other Cheesy Netflix Christmas characters that I won’t spoil.
The third “Switch” film is a bit goofier than its predecessors. In fact, the movies get progressively sillier the further they stray from the original. A run time of 106 minutes should have been cut down to 100. The laughs are still abound, despite the over the top nature of the production.
I’ll say it again. I love these movies. Sitting under a blanket with cold weather outside. Watching the lights twinkle on my tree. There’s nothing better to lose yourself in a movie like this. I’m greedy. Next year, I want another. And I want Vanessa Hudgens to play four different characters. Why not? Reality left this farm long ago. This isn’t the best story out there and it fails to stand on its own. Nevertheless, keep em coming!
