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Topic: Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess (Read 1663 times)

Rhune
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Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
« on: Jul 2^nd, 2003, 10:06am »

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Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
Series could use 'die' job
By Christy Lemire
Associated Press
Wednesday, July 2, 2003 Posted: 10:19 AM EDT (1419 GMT)

(AP) -- "Legally Blonde 2" is all dressed up with nowhere to go -- and it, like, totally kills me to report that, ya know?

All the pieces are in place from the original film, which was a surprise hit in summer 2001: the clothes, the dogs, the giggling sorority girls, and -- most importantly -- Reese Witherspoon at the center of this scented, pink universe as Bel-Air, Calif.-bred lawyer Elle Woods.

But the sequel -- the full title of which is "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde," which sounds even more like porn than the first movie -- is a prime example of not knowing when to say when.

One was a fluke; two is a flagrant example of cashing in. What was cute, girlie fun the first time around now feels worn out, like a pair of last season's Prada shoes.

Speaking of shoes, Witherspoon gets to wear dozens of them as the flaxen-haired fashionista, along with a mind-boggling array of designer duds ranging from Marc Jacobs to Juicy Couture. And of course, Elle's ever-present Chihuahua, Bruiser, tags along in matching togs.

But Witherspoon's infinite likability, energy and charm -- and Bruiser's too, for that matter -- can only go so far. They're burdened by an overbearing script from Dennis Drake and Eve Ahlert, who wrote the equally overbearing "Down With Love," starring the equally likable Renee Zellweger.

And "Legally Blonde 2" was directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, who also directed the 2001 romantic comedy "Kissing Jessica Stein," but the material here further accentuates the broad, sitcom-y tendencies he displayed in that earlier film.

Pink's got the blues

Elle, having earned her unlikely law degree at Harvard, moves to Washington to fight for animal rights after learning that Bruiser's mother is a subject at a lab where makeup is tested on animals. She even puts her plans to marry Emmett (Luke Wilson), her boyfriend from the first film, on hold because she's so impassioned.

This allows her to run through the same fish-out-of-water routine that provided many of the laughs in the original film. First she stuck out like a perfectly manicured thumb in the buttoned-down Ivy League -- now she's wearing the only Jackie O-inspired, hot-pink suit in a sea of dark blues at the nation's capital.

(Please tell me this won't turn into a series like the "Crocodile Dundee" movies, where she keeps doing the same shtick in different cities. I can see it now: "Legally Blonde 3: The Blonde Apple.")

Working as an aide to Congresswoman Rudd (Sally Field), a fellow Harvard Law alum, Elle proposes legislation called Bruiser's Bill that would make it illegal for labs to test cosmetics on animals. She uses her knowledge of dogs and her sorority ties to earn the support of a couple of tough Congress members. And admittedly, the novelty of politics provide her with a few cute lines: "This is just like on C-SPAN -- except I'm not bored!"

Ms. Woods goes to naught
Then she starts running into obstacles, forcing her to organize her Delta Nu sisters for the over-the-top Million Dog March. And the script calls for her to make several preachy speeches about life, liberty, and the pursuit of a good haircut.

Elle even watches "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," an homage to "Legally Blonde 2's" forefather. But her subsequent orations seem longer than anything James Stewart ever said, and they feel out of place in a light summer comedy.

But the wonderful Bob Newhart shows up and brings grace to a thankless role as the doorman in Elle's building, who's been around Washington for decades and helps her strategize.

And for the second time in as many weeks, Wilson is forced to stand by, practically mute, as the supportive boyfriend. (He also plays Cameron Diaz's live-in love interest in the "Charlie's Angels" sequel.) He can do more -- we've seen it in films like "Bottle Rocket," "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums" -- but maybe it's only possible when his older, more audacious brother, Owen, and director Wes Anderson are involved.

Perhaps his role will be fleshed out in time for "Legally Blonde 4: The Blonde Rose of Texas."

"Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde," an MGM release, is rated PG-13 for some sex-related humor.

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dudeguy89
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Re: Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
« Reply #1 on: Jul 2^nd, 2003, 12:16pm »

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I'm really dissapointed in the reviews because I hoped it would do better. Shocked

The first movie was just so funny so I just figured everyone would love the sequel. I'm going to see the movie tommorow and I'll see if it's funny or as they said:
A Colerless Mess

« Last Edit: Jul 9^th, 2003, 8:05am by dudeguy89 »

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Rhune
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Re: Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
« Reply #2 on: Jul 2^nd, 2003, 12:31pm »

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Just to clarify, I'm just copying the review from CNN. I haven't seen the movie and this is not my review/opinion of it. I'm just posting a review in for you all to look at. Certainly, in the end it's just one person's opinion and you may like it a lot better than they did!

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triggerr20
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Re: Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
« Reply #3 on: Jul 9^th, 2003, 7:32am »

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I've read somewhere that they're already planned to do Legally Blonde 3 and this time Elle Woods will go trans-atlantic to London.

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dudeguy89
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Re: Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
« Reply #4 on: Jul 9^th, 2003, 8:10am »

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Okay, I finally saw the movie and being the Reese Witherspoon fan that I am, I would have to say that movie- WAS THE WORST MOVIE EVER! How could such a good first movie turn into such a crappy sequal?! I hate being wrong about things!

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triggerr20
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Re: Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
« Reply #5 on: Jul 10^th, 2003, 5:56am »

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That's sad to hear. I really liked the first movie and it was pure fun. I guess this goes to show that the popular movie critict saying is right... "...sequels never or rarely outdo their predecessor". But no matter what people say I'm still going to see LB2. Watching movies is my favorite past time. I just hope it isn't too bad that I'll regret watching it just like what I felt with 'Solaris'. That movie was terrible and dragging. I probably wouldn't have watched it if it wasn't for George Clooney and his rear-view scene. Grin

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Rachel
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Re: Review: 'Blonde 2' a colorless mess
« Reply #6 on: Jul 11^th, 2003, 1:12am »

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I thought my IQ went down after I saw it. I went with my roomate and we had to sit in front of about 15 high school cheerleaders all wearing pink, floral print skirts...................................................... Embarassed

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