Rosalinda is whisked away from her native country by Carter’s father when a hostile military official takes over the island before she can assume her role as queen. She then has to blend in with average teenagers in a small Louisiana town with the help of her newest, but most reluctant friend. There are, of course, the typical plot points that a Disney aficionado could easily anticipate. “Rosie” quickly finds herself becoming popular, much to the chagrin of the already popular mean girls, Chelsea and Brooke, played fantastically by Jamie Chung and Samantha Droke, and Carter quickly finds herself becoming jealous of her new roommate. There are, of course, the obstacles of cute boys and homecoming dances to overcome before the story really comes to a head as well.

There were certain points during the movie that I felt myself comparing it to “The Princess Diaries” films. Carter learns what it means to really be a princess, for example. It is not just about being graceful and pretty. Rosie also learns what it means to have real friends, not just people who are loyal to you because they have to be. Rather than hurt the movie, as I expected them to when I first started pointing these things out to myself, they actually helped me to appreciate the princess story. This is largely because it’s not the only movie you will find casual references to. Rosalinda’s coronation dress immediately made me think of Belle from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and when she is seen carrying one of her shoes while fleeing her castle, I remembered Cinderella’s glass slipper. I’m sure there are several more references that other people caught that I did not.

There was one thing that I found myself wondering when watching the film though. What about the princes The princess protection program is an international organization aimed at making sure princesses are kept safe when their countries are in trouble. Is there a separate organization that does the same for their male counterparts, or are they just expected to fend for themselves I know this is probably not important to most of the people watching the movie, but I could not help but wonder.

In all, “Princess Protection Program” provides a blending of two of the things Disney has become well known for a classic princess tale and modern teen stories with a twist. The movie is not earth shattering, but the story is fun, the actors are enjoyable to watch, and the ending is fantastic.