“The Swan Princess” Returns for More Magic

Aug 20, 2019 by Susan Rosenbluth

By Susan L. Rosenbluth

Parents—and children—who remember with nostalgic fondness the award-winning animated film, “The Swan Princess” are in for a treat. Not only is Sony Pictures Home Entertainment coming out with a collectible 25th anniversary edition of the 1994 film this fall, but a new installment, “The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music,” is now available on DVD as well as digitally.

Like its predecessor, “The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music” is G-rated, and, at 83 minutes, it’s even a little shorter than the original “Swan Princess.”

All the original characters are back, and, their fans will be happy to know, have aged beautifully. The original Swan Princess, Odette (spoken and sung in the first film by Michelle Nicastro and Liz Callaway, respectively) and her handsome Prince Derek (Howard McGillin) have matured into simply gorgeous mother-and-father figures (Nina Herzog and Yuri Lowenthal) for the new film’s ingenue, Princess Alise (Jayden Isabel).

Like her foster-mother before her, Alise must choose between the slow-and-steady local boy who loves her or an exotic (but really very nice) royal rock star who wows her. And somehow, once again, being willing to sacrifice oneself saves the day.

Those who may not be thrilled with the ending—in which all does not end completely happily—should not be too disappointed. Writers Richard Rich and Brian Nissen have given their audience—young and old—an out: Under the credits comes the promise: To Be Continued.

The series will go on, and this meant one very happy six-year-old and her grandma spent the rest of the afternoon imagining what may be coming next.

It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon during these weeks when camp is out and school has not yet begun.