“How Do You Get Used to This? I’ve Had Easier Times Finding My Way Out of Escape Rooms.”
When I watched A Prince in Paradise earlier this year, I fell under the charm of the characters even if the plot was fairly predictable. When I found out that there was going to be a Christmas set sequel, I couldn’t wait. While I struggled a bit more with A Christmas Castle Proposal, I did wind up enjoying it.
When the movie opens, it’s been a year since Olivia (Rhiannon Fish) and Prince Alexander (Mitchell Bourke) met on an island vacation. In that time, their love has only grown even though they struggle to find time together. Alexander especially is busy as he tries to run his foundation and fulfill his royal duties. Still, they are looking forward to spending Christmas together. They will be traveling to Alexander’s country of Torovia. And Olivia’s parents will be joining them. It’s the first time Madeline and Henry (Claire Weller Price and Andrew Buchanan) will meet Alexander. Plus, they’ll be meeting his mother, Queen Patricia (Andrea Moor).
When Olivia arrives, she learns about the big state dinner, and her expected role in the evening. Preparing for that is taking away from her parents, who are expecting to carry on their own family traditions. Meanwhile, Alexander is trying to find the best time and place to ask Olivia a very important question. With all this potential drama going on, will anyone have a merry Christmas?
Given what the first movie did with the familiar formula, I was looking forward to seeing what this movie would do to advance the story. Sadly, it fell more fully into some Christmas movie tropes and didn’t rise above them. Most noticeably for me was Olivia’s parents’ storyline. Yes, I get that they needed some conflict, but really? You are going to a castle in a foreign country, and you are going to expect to carry on all your own traditions? Seriously? Fortunately, this was a minor part of the film, but it really did make me scratch my head.
On the other hand, I enjoyed the first movie because I loved Olivia and Alexander and watching their relationship grow. It was a pleasure to see the next chapter in their relationship unfold here. I especially appreciated some of the realistic fears that Olivia was dealing with. While I wish the story had developed that a bit more, I did like that it was addressed. I did miss their sidekicks from the first film, but we did get to check in with them occasionally.
Sadly, this movie does suffer from some low budget cheese, both in the writing and the acting departments. But I did expect that going in.
Do note that this doesn’t apply to either lead. Rhiannon Fish and Mitchell Bourke were outstanding once again. There are some very subtle moments both had that really stood out in a good way.
And I have to praise the last quarter of the movie. It did a great job of resolving some storylines, and I loved that we got to see some growth in various relationships from the first movie. That aspect was really well done. I did find myself tearing up as I watched this part. It made some of my other complaints worth while to get to this part because I love the characters so much.
Yes, the Christmas elements was wonderfully done. I finally got a chance to watch it right before Thanksgiving, and it put me in the Christmas mood with the snow and decorations and soundtrack.
I do have to say that I think you’ll appreciate this movie best if you’ve already watched the first one. You need to know the characters and their relationships to fully get invested in this movie. Otherwise, you’ll probably see the weakness more than the thing the film got right.
Like the first movie, this one appears to have been released under a couple of names. While I watched it as A Christmas Castle Proposal, I’ve also seen it referred to as A Royal Proposal. You know, just to confuse things.
If you enjoyed the first movie, you’ll be happy to catch up with the characters in A Christmas Castle Proposal. If you haven’t met this yet, start with the first movie so you’ll fully appreciate this Christmas entry.
I recorded this movie because I saw that Rhiannon Fish was in it. I haven't watched it yet. I didn't realize it's a sequel, so I guess I'll hold off until next year. It's not like I don't have a few hundred other movies I can watch in the meantime. :)
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