A single prolonged action scene has been the subject of a handful of revenge films, offering thin plots but buckets of blood and gratuitous fighting and the Princess does not disappoint on that front. Joey King plays the role of a princess, set aside by her father to marry rather than inherit the throne, as the last hope for the kingdom due to his lack of a male heir. When she declines, the groom proves to be a controlling freak with an army of grunting plebeians lined up for the princess and her trusted mentor to defeat in a series of stylistic action scenes leading from one boss battle to the next before ultimately overcoming her accursed groom and earning her place as heir to the kingdom.
The politically sensitive might have a lot to read into regarding stereotypes in society, but everything serves to either further the very thin plot or is used for some comedic trope. In this way the film sticks to its simple formula and, for the most part, it works. The criticisms to be levelled are more aptly placed on low-budget fire effects and poor quality sets, or just the incredible simplicity of all of the characters. The story is reminiscent of 8 bit video games from the 90's, with characters so simple they could be a cardboard cutout and painful dialogue. In spite of its failings, the pace of the action and its dynamic sequences are entertaining enough to make it a fun romp through a highly unbelievable fantasy setting.
Those who are squeamish about blood should know that most of the violence takes place off camera, with a couple of jugular bleeds until near the end of the film that contains a graphic decapitation.
Additionally, unlike most exploitation films, there is no graphic sexual content and the main characters are not sexualized.
The politically sensitive might have a lot to read into regarding stereotypes in society, but everything serves to either further the very thin plot or is used for some comedic trope. In this way the film sticks to its simple formula and, for the most part, it works. The criticisms to be levelled are more aptly placed on low-budget fire effects and poor quality sets, or just the incredible simplicity of all of the characters. The story is reminiscent of 8 bit video games from the 90's, with characters so simple they could be a cardboard cutout and painful dialogue. In spite of its failings, the pace of the action and its dynamic sequences are entertaining enough to make it a fun romp through a highly unbelievable fantasy setting.
Those who are squeamish about blood should know that most of the violence takes place off camera, with a couple of jugular bleeds until near the end of the film that contains a graphic decapitation.
Additionally, unlike most exploitation films, there is no graphic sexual content and the main characters are not sexualized.