The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star Review

December 23, 2021 at 6:26am
By Jason Stettner

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star is a Netflix Original film that continues the craze that is having Vanessa Hudgens play multiple characters. This time around no new additions are added to the roster, with it re-focusing on the three versions of this character. There’s a bit of a twist as this one aims to dive deeper into the perspective of the latest addition to their team. While evil in the past, Fiona is perhaps turning a bit of a new leaf and the film explores that.

What essentially happens is that Stacy and Margaret are relaxing together while a special item is being stolen. They come together alongside other returning characters and decide that only Fiona can save the day. Do keep in mind that all three of these characters are being played by Hudgens. There’s a bit of a heist scenario to this, and a love angle as well.

It’s Christmas themed as per usual, and honestly it is the weakest of the trilogy. The first one was decently clever, the second one was alright and this one is basically background noise. It’s watchable to a degree, but also just so predictable and not anything too creative. It comes across as truly silly at times and just didn’t hit the mark for me. At the same time, I would be down for another round but only if we get a fourth switch.

As expected you have Vanessa Hudgens returning in a triple performance of Stacy, Margaret and Fiona. They’re basically all the same with just a minor adjustment to their personality. I continue to desire a deeper element of difference between the trio.

While taking on less festive roles this year, it does seem like Hudgens has your Christmas Netflix fix covered. That’s between this trilogy and that Christmas Knight that’s always worth a watch. It’s impressive to play multiple roles, at the same time they’re such similar characters. I suppose the work involved in setting that up and making it believable is intense, so props to that angle.

I don’t find the visual elements of the world to be anything too majestic. It does seem a bit basic sets wise, and even the locations come across as quite low budget. The side characters are a bit too weird, and no one really stood out here. Just a bunch of returning faces, not really having a whole lot to do.

The Conclusion

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star is the worst of the series, being another dip in quality while once again highlighting the weird fun of the same actress playing three of the same character. Well, they’re slightly different but basically the same. The story here is fairly weak, but it’s watchable. It seems quite low budget and perhaps a dip in what came prior.

If you liked the first two you’ll probably be fine with this one. It does seem like the series has lost that initial magic that the first one brought to the table and that’s somewhat disappointing. It really did feel bland and it was hard to watch, didn’t really hold my attention too well.

If another is to arrive, which I feel is unlikely, I do hope they do something more to switch up the formula. A whole, let’s throw a small bit of background to change up a bad character just doesn’t do it for me and makes the whole thing seem even sillier than it already is in concept.

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star Review at Home with Streamed Viewing
Content Access was Provided by Netflix

Rating Overall: 4.0