Review: 'Legally Blonde 2' Still Pretty In Pink
Sequel Finds Ways To Stand On Its Own
POSTED: 2:06 a.m. EDT July 2, 2003
'Legally Blonde 2' (PG-13)
(out of four)
Hands down Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods has the best pink pillbox hat on the planet.
There's also plenty to be said for the more than 60 pairs of Jimmy Choo shoes worn by Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde," with not one ounce of them made from leather. (That was in keeping with the animal rights plot of the movie.)
If the above mentioned concerns are put first and foremost in moviegoers' minds when they see "Legally Blonde 2," this over-the-top, camp fest of a film will offer a few hours of pure pleasure.
It's not fair to compare "Legally Blonde 2" to the original. That line of thinking is necessary, but in this case, evil. No, it isn't as good as the first, but when did a sequel ever top its original?
As short as the sequel falls in some ways, "Legally Blonde 2" delivers on its promise:
"Pretty-in-pink lawyer Elle Woods heads off to Washington to accessorize her rights, take on the political establishment, and initiate legislation in the name of her beloved dog, Bruiser."
All of the above happens, with very funny results. Like the first movie – we're not comparing here, merely pointing out facts – there are some signature campy moments. Favorite cast members from the first film return, plus some veteran actors join the ensemble with seamless results.
In "Legally Blonde 2," the ever optimistic Woods finds the Boston law firm she's so eager to become a partner in won't stand behind her. She's decided to go against an animal testing group after she finds out her Chihuahua's mother is being used as a lab rat.
Woods heads to Washington, D.C., to do some lobbying of her own.
She moves into the Watergate complex, which leaves plenty of room for some political ribbing, and befriends Sidney Post, the building's doorman, played stoically by Bob Newhart. He becomes her guide to the rough Washington terrain, while she teaches him a thing or two about fashion.
Then it's off to work for Congresswoman Victoria Rudd (Sally Field) as a legislative aide. Rudd asks for the support of her staff in making the Bel-Air blonde comfortable, but Woods' teambuilding office games and cheerleader enthusiasm, helps to alienate her from the clan.
With her pop-up presentations and an emergency rally 'round from her Delta Nu sorority sisters, Woods finds a way to overcome the system and teach some old dogs new tricks.
There's many a flaw in "Legally Blonde 2." Congressional stereotyping runs rampant as do stuffy aides and judges who unbelievably are coaxed into changing their tune after a nonsensical speech about beauty.
But with some casting coups like Newhart and Field, courtesy of Witherspoon herself and her role as producer using her Type A film company (Witherspoon titled her company because, she said, her parents always called her Little Type A when she was growing up), "Legally Blonde 2" stands on its own.
With one liners flying about everything from fashion faux pas to Washington intern jokes, you may wish the screenwriters had given the plot a bit more substance, but "Legally Blonde 2" is big on style and, in this case, that's what matters.
(out of four)
Hands down Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods has the best pink pillbox hat on the planet.
There's also plenty to be said for the more than 60 pairs of Jimmy Choo shoes worn by Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde," with not one ounce of them made from leather. (That was in keeping with the animal rights plot of the movie.)
If the above mentioned concerns are put first and foremost in moviegoers' minds when they see "Legally Blonde 2," this over-the-top, camp fest of a film will offer a few hours of pure pleasure.
It's not fair to compare "Legally Blonde 2" to the original. That line of thinking is necessary, but in this case, evil. No, it isn't as good as the first, but when did a sequel ever top its original?
As short as the sequel falls in some ways, "Legally Blonde 2" delivers on its promise:
"Pretty-in-pink lawyer Elle Woods heads off to Washington to accessorize her rights, take on the political establishment, and initiate legislation in the name of her beloved dog, Bruiser."
All of the above happens, with very funny results. Like the first movie – we're not comparing here, merely pointing out facts – there are some signature campy moments. Favorite cast members from the first film return, plus some veteran actors join the ensemble with seamless results.
In "Legally Blonde 2," the ever optimistic Woods finds the Boston law firm she's so eager to become a partner in won't stand behind her. She's decided to go against an animal testing group after she finds out her Chihuahua's mother is being used as a lab rat.
Woods heads to Washington, D.C., to do some lobbying of her own.
She moves into the Watergate complex, which leaves plenty of room for some political ribbing, and befriends Sidney Post, the building's doorman, played stoically by Bob Newhart. He becomes her guide to the rough Washington terrain, while she teaches him a thing or two about fashion.
Then it's off to work for Congresswoman Victoria Rudd (Sally Field) as a legislative aide. Rudd asks for the support of her staff in making the Bel-Air blonde comfortable, but Woods' teambuilding office games and cheerleader enthusiasm, helps to alienate her from the clan.
With her pop-up presentations and an emergency rally 'round from her Delta Nu sorority sisters, Woods finds a way to overcome the system and teach some old dogs new tricks.
There's many a flaw in "Legally Blonde 2." Congressional stereotyping runs rampant as do stuffy aides and judges who unbelievably are coaxed into changing their tune after a nonsensical speech about beauty.
But with some casting coups like Newhart and Field, courtesy of Witherspoon herself and her role as producer using her Type A film company (Witherspoon titled her company because, she said, her parents always called her Little Type A when she was growing up), "Legally Blonde 2" stands on its own.
With one liners flying about everything from fashion faux pas to Washington intern jokes, you may wish the screenwriters had given the plot a bit more substance, but "Legally Blonde 2" is big on style and, in this case, that's what matters.
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