This follow-up to 2001's Legally Blonde starts off with a scrapbook that walks you through the first movie in an effort to bring back the magic. It almost completely fails, but it is sadly about as close as it gets.
What made the first movie work was that it was completely unexpected and it was just a fun ride. The second time through is never as much fun, though admittedly the original is nearly as good on subsequent viewings.
It's difficult to put your finger on exactly what goes wrong in this one, as nothing really deviates from the formula of the first movie, but something just doesn't fit the same mold. As Elle realizes that she needs to save Buster's mom from the animal testing facility and she can't do it at her big law firm, she walks out (well, she gets fired), and that's okay. You would expect nothing less.
That she takes off to Washington and no one likes her as she arrives is not surprising, or that she decorates her desk and then initiates something as bizarre as the snap cup doesn't surprise.
When Sally Field welcomes Elle and expects great things or you see Regina King positioned as the bad guy, you aren't surprised. It's just standard fare.
The only decent performance in the movie is Bob Newhart as Sid, the doorman at the hotel. That he figures prominently in helping Elle get things done should come as no surprise, nor should it be a shock that things are not quite as they seem.
It's just that everything fits too neatly into place and though there are hurdles it's not ever expected that she won't overcome them. In order for the underdog to be an underdog, you have to believe that they won't win, and that moment never comes in this movie. As such, it's just not as enjoyable this time around.
Rated PG-13 for adult content, but you probably won't have any problem keeping the kids away from this one. There isn't much they'll want to see.
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