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Posted June 23, 2009 by Mary Dixon Lebeau

One of the most beloved royal traditions in our kingdom is the Royal Festival of Film. Yes, I mean we enjoy popping corn, cuddling on the sofa and having our own movie night.

And, of course, princess movies often make their way into our line-up. But you must remember -- we are not only the parents of Princess Lots-Of-Locks (also known as Libby). We have our own palace artisan (Max, 11), our knight (Steven, 18)  and our own court jester (Sean, 14) on hand for running commentary -- and they're not completely under the princesses' magic spell. The gauntlet has been thrown -- can any princess movie win an imperial thumbs up from all the inhabitants of the kingdom?

To find out, we put some of our princess' favorite DVDs to the test. Here's the royal feedback:

The Little Mermaid
The classic redheaded rebel wants to be part of the world above....and trades her voice for a chance to stand on her own two feet. But what did our panel think of this fish story?

Well, it's no surprise that the underwater classic got two thumbs up from Lots of Locks. "I liked her singing, and that she fell in love with the prince and got married," she says.

The Little Mermaid was also a splash with the king, who has a lifelong penchant for redheads. "Two thumbs up," he declares, adding that Ariel may be his favorite Disney princess.

From my throne (which, by the way, looks an awful lot like an office chair), I'd say that this is one of my favorites as well. I love the soundtrack (especially "Under the Sea," with the crab -- or is he a lobster? -- singing calypso), but I do think there are mixed messages that water down my enthusiasm. After all, why should Ariel give up who she is in order to pursue Prince Eric? I'm giving this four crowns for music, but just two and a half for content.

The Little Mermaid didn't go over as swimmingly with the male population in our kingdom (except, of course, that redheaded-smitten king). The knight says the plot didn't offer any action whatsoever, while the palace artisan enjoyed the graphics but didn't care for the story.  "Too girly," he says.  His feelings were echoed by the court jester, who comments, "Oh come on! I'm a boy!"

FINAL VERDICT: Princesses and their parents will applaud, but leave the guys at home.

The Princess Bride
Ah, the love story of Buttercup and Wesley, complete with pirates, swordfights and the dreaded Prince Humperdink. The story -- even with the yucky kissing parts -- entranced the young boy when his grandfather told the tale. But what effect did it have on our plucky panel?

The persnickety princess liked the movie, but preferred the Disney musicals. "Buttercup is okay, but giant rats are gross!" she says.

And, of course, the knight and the artisan gave the opposite view. "The rats were awesome!" Max says. Sean appreciated the adventure, but again reminded us, "But I'm a boy!"

The knight, being almost but not quite grown-up, says he doesn't remember this one at all. But the royal couple -- that being my hubby and me -- declare this a favorite. The a because you're a girl," Sean notes.)

FINAL VERDICT: Something for everyone makes this movie a royal winner.

Beauty and the Beast
Beauty is more than skin deep....just ask Belle, who chooses a gnarly kindhearted beast instead of the handsome but conceited muscleman. But is this film one of our choices?

This Disney classic has always been my favorite, so the queen gives this a full five crowns. I relate to Belle the bookworm, appreciate her loyalty to her misguided father, and always smile when the "flatware's entertaining."

Surprisingly, Sir Steven says this is his favorite, too. "Gaston is the Disney character most like me!" he says, giving this self-involved villain both thumbs up.

Lots-of-Locks has a soft spot for Belle, as their features -- brown hair, brown eyes -- are similar. She also likes the movie soundtrack, singing "Be Our Guest" whenever we invite people over. (Before the company arrives, thankfully.)

The other guys in the household aren't really impressed with this animated feature. They agree that Gaston is "one of the most fun villains around," as the jester says, but are lukewarm to the popping champagne bottles and bubbling teapot.

FINAL VERDICT: The females in the kingdom fall for the prince in beast's clothing -- and the guys enjoy the silly self-absorbed antics of Gaston.

The one movie we all agreed on? Surprisingly, it was the classic princess story gone crazy, Enchanted. All thumbs were up -- and all eyes were on the screen -- as Amy Adam's Princess Giselle sang for her little animal helpers (a la Snow White) and ended up cleaning the condo with cockroaches, rats and squirrels. What happens when a princess plucked from the pages of Disney finds herself in modern-day New York City? Well, laughter ensues, as our kingdom was totally enchanted.