The first film was surprisingly good, it was funny, fluffy and warm. This sequel was not really any of these things. Apart from a nice soundtrack, one or two amusing moments like the scene at the hearing and a delightfully authentic performance from Reese Witherspoon, this film is a mess. The script is very clichéd and weak, coupled with one too many embarrassing scenes, and the direction is very by-the-numbers. The plot line is very predictable and screams of absurdity and the ending is a joke. The film isn't as striking visually either, and it could be to do with the fact the editing isn't as crisp or the scenery as beautiful. The pacing is rather slow, so I almost nodded off on occasions, and the acting with the exception of Witherspoon is not great. Sally Field is wasted, likewise with Luke Wilson while Jennifer Coolidge's part is overwritten to an embarrassing degree. Also the film is so sugary sweet it almost made my teeth twinge. So overall, disappointing and not recommended. 3/10 Bethany Cox

A big comedown from the first film. You get an inexperienced director out of his depth here who excludes all of the charm and warmth from that movie, leading to a supporting cast of grouchy characters and a dearth of laughs. Witherspoon tries her best but you can tell she's going through the motions here and the plot just doesn't have the meat or the insight to make it sustainable.

Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is getting married to Emmett Richmond (Luke Wilson). She goes in search of her dog Bruiser Woods' parents for the wedding. She finds Bruiser's mom being tested on at V.E.R.S.A.C.E. When she objects, she's let go from her law firm. She decides to go to Washington D.C. to change the law for animal testing. She gets to work for fellow alumni Rep. Victoria Rudd (Sally Field).

The first movie had the charm of something completely original. I liked the first one enough but this one doesn't have the possibility of taking us by surprise. The idea seems old now. The movie tries to put Elle Woods in the most unlikely place again. So they twist a story out of shape to put her there and make DC out to be something unreal. It isn't quite as funny anymore. At least it's not funny intentionally.