 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||
| Legally
Blonde II
Directed By: Charles
Herman-Wurmfeld Plot
Summary - Review 1 - Review
2 - CURRENT REVIEWS
|
|
| "Pink-loving, blonde-haired Harvard Law School graduate Elle Woods (Witherspoon) returns in this sequel, as she turns her legal and fashion-savvy know-how towards getting a bill passed through Congress, relocating a second time, after adapting her Beverly Hills ways to Harvard, and now... Washington, D.C. The issue at hand is animal testing, which Elle becomes concerned about when the parents of her dog can't attend the pet's wedding because of it. Arriving at the Watergate and not knowing where to begin in the city, she befriends the hotel's elderly doorman, Sidney (Newhart), who becomes her guide to the way the political system works, and how to get her legislation... legislated." [TRAILER] With 2001’s “Legally Blonde,” Reese Witherspoon proved she could open a blockbuster alone. With “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde,” she proves once again that she has the staying power of a big-league actress. Some comedic franchises, such as “Dumb and Dumber” or “American Pie,” build themselves around the chemistry of a group of characters, but in both chapters of “Legally Blonde,” the focus is so squarely set on Witherspoon that, ultimately, the film rests on her shoulders. The fact that “Blonde 2” is so cute, spirited and, against all possible odds, occasionally funny can only be attributed to her. The story is, expectedly, weak at best. While the original “Blonde” watched Elle Woods (Witherspoon) take on the law profession in her stylish, pink outfits and in her own, cheerleader style, “Blonde 2” is pretty much the same routine, with the title of politician substituted for lawyer. As Elle plans her wedding to Emmett (Luke Wilson), and attempts to find the long-lost birth parents of her cute little dog Bruiser, she discovers a cosmetics testing facility, where Bruiser’s parents live as test subjects. She is appalled by what she sees, and raises the issue at her law firm, only to be fired for her ideals. But rather than being depressed, she is emboldened to head out to Washington, D.C., find Representative Rudd (Sally Field), the congresswoman with whom she interned right after law school, and pass a bill that will change the law regarding cosmetics testing forever. While “Blonde 2” replicates much the same formula as the original, its energy keeps it afloat through moments that should have proved fatal. Witherspoon is undeniably charming and hilarious, and her personality keeps the audience hoping for Elle’s success. Director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld (“Kissing Jessica Stein”) also infuses a bit of mania into Elle’s story – the most obvious moment being a dance sequence that takes place on the steps of Congress. But, as they say, a great smile will only go so far. While Witherspoon’s smile and Elle’s style keep the energy up beat, there is a surprising lack of substance to this film. In the first “Blonde,” the freshness of the concept and the revelation of Witherspoon’s talents were enough to make an otherwise silly episode engaging. This time around, with the same characters and the same sassy attitude, there is not enough at work to distract from the silliness of the surroundings. When Elle follows a congresswoman to the hair stylist, or meets another senior congressman while walking his dog, or makes one of her numerous, ridiculous speeches to Congress, it is hard to pretend that Elle’s story is genuine and sincere. The moments that work in this better-than-average sequel are when Elle does things behind the scenes in her own, girly way. For instance, when she first arrives in Washington, she arranges her workstation with her own personal flair. Or, when signatures need to be drummed up for an important petition, Elle calls on her sorority sisters around the country to unite and save the day. It is in these moments when “Blonde 2” takes flight, because it is all about Elle, doing things her own, zany way. It is when the film starts to take itself seriously, with implausible speeches and betrayals, that it feels goofy and melodramatic. But then again, what does someone expect from “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde?” Maybe its problems are far simpler in nature. Whenever it gets too serious, it simply stops being fun.   Check out Reviews, Commentary, and More at Zertinet.com |
LINKS
TO REVIEWS |
| Movies
@ Zertinet | Oscars @ Zertinet
| Main Site Best Viewed
at 800 X 600 or greater |
|
