Princess Protection Program on DVD, so soon

I sat down to watch my DVR’d version of Disney Channel’s “Princess Protection Program” with my 6 year old son tonight with low expectations of it keeping our attention. But I need not have worried. PPP is a great movie in the classic Disney mold that we both enjoyed watching all the way through. In the 60s or 70s PPP would have been released to theaters, albeit with slightly better actors in the villain role, it is that good.

Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, the two actors who are asked to carry this film, have both been labeled as Disney’s hope for the future when Miley Cyrus finally moves on to her next thing. Gomez had the more meaty roll and really carried the film, a good sign for future work from her. Lovato definitely had the poise required to be a princess, but lacks the acting chops of Anne Hathaway in the Princess Diaries, but the fact that she compares at all says something.

Once you get past the films main conceit, the existence of, and need for, a Princess Protection Agency, the plot flows naturally from there. The adventure comedy is about two very different girls – a princess from a small kingdom and a small town girl who, when fate brings them together, must team up to help the would-be queen pass for a regular teen. Lots of great lessons are included in the film, but they mostly avoid hitting you over the head with them. Always a bonus.

As is Disney’s habit these days, they’ve already released a DVD with extra features you don’t get on The Disney Channel just 4 days after the movie’s cable debut.

The full press release is below the cut:

Update: I had the actors reversed as to which was the princess Rosie. That’s what I get for writing so late at night. It’s fixed now

TEEN SUPERSTARS SELENA GOMEZ AND DEMI LOVATO STAR IN NO. 1 ENTERTAINMENT TELECAST OF 2009 PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM

DEBUTS ON DVD TODAY JUST 4 DAYS AFTER RECORD BREAKING TELECASTS IN ROYAL B.F.F. EXTENDED EDITION DVD

FEATURES ALL-NEW MUSIC VIDEO “ONE AND THE SAME” and FANTASTIC BEHIND THE SCENES BONUS CONTENT

Last week Disney Channel’s PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM was crowned royalty as TV’s number one entertainment telecast of 2009 in Kids 6-11 (3.1 million) and Tweens 9-14 (3.2 million) and as cable’s most watched scripted telecast (viewers) when the exciting adventure/comedy debuted. Since its premiere in EMEA in May ’09, and now the U.S. and Canada, Disney’s “Princess Protection Program” has reached 28.1 million unique Total Viewers around the world, including 3.7 million Kids 6-11 and 3.5 million Tweens 9-14 for the June 26th premiere.

Now, just days after the record-setting cable debut, two of young Hollywood’s superstars, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, head to DVD in the royal journey PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM: ROYAL B.F.F EXTENDED EDITION. The exclusive bonus materials feature the all-new music video “One and the Same” performed by the real life best friends Demi and Selena plus much more. This regal experience is available with a free “Best Friends” necklace set inside the DVD for a limited time from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

EXCLUSIVE DVD BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:

* “One and the Same” Music Video performed by Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.
* Royal & Loyal BFFs – stars Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato reveal secrets about their real-life friendship.
* A Royal Reality – meet a real-life Princess and learn the realities about gowns, castles and her responsibilities.

A Disney Channel Original Movie PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM is an adventure comedy about two very different girls – a princess from a small kingdom and a small town girl who, when fate brings them together, must team up to help the would-be queen pass for a regular teen.

PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM is rated ‘G’ in the US and ‘PG’ in Canada.