Name: The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Released: 2021-11-18T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Remy Hii, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar, Amanda Donohoe

The opening scene of The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star sets the stage with a heist at Queen Margaret’s palace, a sequence that should be thrilling but instead feels like a rushed montage. This tonal misstep is indicative of director Mike Rohl’s approach to the material—a third entry in a franchise that has clearly run out of steam.

The film stars Vanessa Hudgens once again pulling triple duty as Fiona Pembroke, Queen Margaret, and Princess Stacy. The premise this time around revolves around a stolen Christmas relic, which prompts Margaret and Stacy to recruit Fiona for help. What follows is a convoluted plot filled with subpar disguises, predictable twists, and a lackluster romantic subplot between Fiona and her ex-boyfriend Peter Maxwell (Remy Hii).

Hudgens delivers the expected energetic performance, but even her charm can’t elevate the tired script. The dialogue is clunky, and the humor falls flat more often than not. A standout moment comes when Margaret impersonates Fiona at a party—a scene that, while not particularly funny, highlights Hudgens’ ability to switch between characters with ease.

The film’s pacing is another issue. Scenes rush by without any real development, leaving little room for character growth or emotional stakes. The romantic tension between Fiona and Peter feels forced and underdeveloped, making their eventual reunion predictable rather than satisfying. Sam Palladio as Prince Edward and Nick Sagar as Prince Kevin provide some much-needed levity but are woefully underutilized.

One of the few bright spots is the chemistry between Hudgens and her co-stars Amanda Donohoe (as Bianca Pembroke) and Suanne Braun (Mrs. Donatelli). Their interactions add a layer of warmth to an otherwise lackluster narrative. However, even these moments are overshadowed by the film’s reliance on repetitive gags and thinly veiled product placements.

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star is a forgettable addition to the franchise, offering little in terms of originality or substance. The plot is derivative, the humor is stale, and the romance feels contrived.