Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde Movie Review:

Reese Witherspoon reprises her role as everybody's favorite blonde Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde. Two summers ago, Legally Blonde was a surprise box-office hit that placed Witherspoon on the map as a leading comedic actress. Her not so aware, but very identifiable sorority girl turned lawyer character of Elle Woods was a pleasant hero for audiences. Legally Blonde 2 is a lot of silly fun and it is not a total recyclement of its predecessor.

In the first film, Elle was defying the odds to graduate from Harvard Law school. With the help of her Chihuahua Bruiser, her colorful sorority sisters (Jennifer Cauffiel & Alanna Ubach), and her now fiancée Emmett (Luke Wilson), Elle achieved her goal. This time around Elle is defying the odds by making a name for herself in Congress, and of course by wearing the best clothes (which are most of the time pink). After finding out that Bruiser's mother is a research animal for a makeup company, Elle sets her sights on Washington to pass a Animal Rights bill to not only free Bruiser's mother, but all research animals. Elle is also planning her and Emmett's wedding, in which Bruiser's mother has to be in attendance. She is gaining assistance from her mentor Congresswoman Rudd (Sally Field), a likeable doorman named Sid (Bob Newhart), and a fellow dog loving Senator named Stanford Marks (Bruce McGill). After first being considered a joke in Congress, because of her wardrobe and perky personality, Elle begins to gain some respect as she looks to make a change for the better.

Director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld keeps the atmosphere fresh and writer Kate Kondell keeps the laughs coming in Legally Blonde 2. Wurmfeld previously directed the indie hit Kissing Jessica Stein and Legally Blonde 2 is his second feature film. His direction is standard by comic genre means, but he gives the audience an extra wink by placing additional pink lighting behind Elle in certain scenes. The story is of the same spirit as the first film, just in a different setting and instances. At times, the jokes do go way overboard, an example is the extensive campaigning to save Bruiser's mother. However, the over the top comedy never brings down the film long enough to hurt it. This is a type of comedy that is not groundbreaking and should not be taken seriously.

Reese Witherspoon is once again very lovable as Elle Woods. Her tactics and choices such as surprised looks are cleverly consistent. Witherspoon is a beautiful talent and without her this franchise would have never taken off. She is a pure star. Luke Wilson arises for a few scenes as Elle's supportive fiancée Emmett. Jennifer Coolidge is also back in her goofy role as the hair designer Paulette. Coolidge does steal some moments in the film, especially when she replies to wanting a hot dog. The new cast members include Sally Field, who is precise as always, as Elle's mentoring Congresswoman, Regina King as one of Elle's obstacles in Congress, Bruce McGill as one of her supporters, and lastly the great Bob Newhart as a helpful doorman, who brings extra cheer to the film.

Legally Blonde 2 is just a fun summer comedy. If you are a fan of the first film, than you will really enjoy this one. This is actually one sequel that has some of the same elements as the first, but isn't a recycled piece.

Grade: B-

Joseph C. Tucker

Clad in bright colors, a cheery attitude, and armed with her dog Bruiser, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is taking her act to the nations capitol in the new comedy "Legally Blonde 2: Red White and Blonde and the laughs follow with her.

The film starts with Woods planning her marriage to Harvard Law professor Emmitt Richmond (Luke Wilson), and searching for the mother of her dog Bruiser so she can be included in the pending wedding. Life is great for Elle as not only is she about to marry a great guy, but also is about to be promoted to a fine position in her firm. That is until the private investigator hired to locate Bruiser's mom has located her in a cosmetic testing lab, and when Elle's efforts on behalf of the dog anger a top client of the firms (who just happen to be heavily invested in the cosmetics company), Elle is soon out of a job when she decided to put her morals over profit.

Elle soon lands on her feet working for Representative Rudd (Sally Field) as a lobbyist. Right off Elle's chipper attitude and passion for bright colors seem to rub many in her office as well as some members of Washington the wrong way, but through determination and her own special charm, Elle soon is working on introducing a bill to eliminate animal testing Naturally things do not go as planned, as the sweet-natured Elle is given a harsh lesson in politics and backroom deals, and is forced to settle in for the fight of her life.

Elle is aided in her quest by a friendly doorman named Sidney (Bob Newhart), who is very wise in the ways of D.C. and who the power players are and is all to happy to help Elle in her quest. Also on hand is Elle's hairdresser friend Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge), and several of her sorority sisters who turn the city into an avalanche of bright colors and enthusiasm in their support of Elle. Elle soon shows that she is more than a pretty face and is capable of going up against whatever and whomever is put before her in her pursuit for what her heart tells her is right.

There are some very funny moments in the film and there are a few nice reminders about how government is supposed to work without being heavy-handed about the message. While light on character and depth, Witherspoon is utterly charming and makes this film work through her radiant personality and energy.

Newhart gives a great supporting performance and the pacing of the film is very crisp making "Legally Blonde 2" not only better than the original, but an enjoyable summer farce.
3.5 stars out of 5

Gareth Von Kallenbach

While planning her marriage to Emmett (Wilson), Elle Woods (Witherspoon) hires a private investigator to track down her dog Bruiser’s birth mother, so she can attend the wedding. The P.I. finds her but the happy news is short lived when Elle finds out where she is. Bruiser’s mother is a test subject in a lab for in a cosmetic firm. Outraged, Elle decides to do something about by going to Washington and producing a bill for a total ban of animal testing.

Reese Witherspoon’s quirky Elle Woods returns to prove again that there is more to blondes than just good looks and great fashion sense.

Reese’s most perky, charming and lovingly naïve character returns to but her own pink principles into politics in probably the biggest ‘Chick-Flick’ of the year. This is a movie that women will love and men will despise but if you look closer it mocks the female obsession with fashion, makeup and hair and it does it really well.

Most of the cast from the original return including Elle’s friends led by Jennifer Coolidge playing not too bright hair dressing genius Paulette and her boyfriend, now fiancé Emmett played by Luke Wilson. They play more of a background role in this one however, with the new character come more prominent. Chief among these are Regina King as Elle’s office competition Grace and Sally Field as Elle inspiration Rep. Victoria Rudd, who are both straight-laced opposites to Elle’s flamboyance.

Reese Witherspoon is what makes this movie, as without her it would be an unmitigated disaster. There is something about her that you just can’t help liking and it makes the movie all the more watchable for it. Elle Woods is loveably naïve but ultimately cleverer than her first impression would dictate and this all down to the charm and ability of Reese Witherspoon. Who else would be able to be sincere when a totally absurd storyline about her dog been gay in throw into the script. I just can’t imagine any other actress been able to cope with that one.

The real problem I had with the whole movie was that it is extremely patriotic. With its ‘God Bless the American democratically elected government’ shoved down your throat in the final act, this could really limit its appeal outside of the US.

With excessive fashion, beauty, hair and even gay dogs, Legally Blonde 2 is as girly a movie as you are ever going to see. While this demographic will probably love it and everything that Elle stands for, I can’t help picturing the faces of the poor boyfriends or husbands who have to sit and watch it with them. Just think of it as revenge for all the action movies you take her to.

Star Rating = * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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