Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason came out Fall of 2004, my first semester at USC. Sarah and I had discussed going to see it, and we were heading there after a boring Sloan info session (because Sloan was some sure-fire way we were all going to win $15k in scholarships for writing a script about a scientist). Somehow, word got out that we were going that night, and before I knew it, every girl in the class seemed to be up for tagging along! Which was great! Except that now we were a party of around 10, and lots of screenings were sold out of tickets. Quel nightmare. However it happened (which I frankly can't remember - other than the fact that we were phoning theaters from cell phones, before we had cell phones with internet, mind you), we decided to go to the uber-expensive Arclight theater in Hollywood where you get assigned seats. Nice. Sure, it was pricey, but come on, it's Bridget Jones 2. It would be worth it, right? Sigh.
None of us knew each other *that* well, but by the end, I was pretty sure we were in agreement that we had wasted our money. PAINFUL movie-going experience. This time, I HAD read the book (and loved it), and I wasn't about to give this movie a second chance.
That is, until it came out on DVD with the Colin Firth DVD extra. At which point, I added it to my Netflix queue, watched ONLY the extra, and sent it back.
This time, I trashed the movie in person and also on the web. I added to my social networking profiles under Favorite Books: "Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason - the BOOK, not the horrible movie." What a meanie.
It wasn't until I saw the movie on basic cable last year that I realized perhaps I'd been too harsh. Perhaps I was over the frustration the first viewing caused me, and I could watch it with fresh eyes. I did, and we're in love once more. Now, granted, it's not as good as the first one. Sequels never are. But it's not *that* bad. I mean, I would certainly prefer to watch it over Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest or Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde. And let's not even touch Twilight 2: New Moon with a ten-foot-pole.
So in summary: YES, it's a sequel. YES, sequels suck. And YES, it's not an exception to that rule. But it can be enjoyed for what it is - girl porn. A handsome man telling a slightly overweight lady who doesn't have her life together that he loves her and wants to marry her. And perhaps he might even be willing to fight a cad in a fountain to defend her honor. And gents, there's something in there for you too! A hot lesbian, and a hot lesbian kiss! Not to mention the awesome credits sequence where Daniel Cleaver ends his tale as perfectly as can be imagined. Give it another chance. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
That is, until it came out on DVD with the Colin Firth DVD extra. At which point, I added it to my Netflix queue, watched ONLY the extra, and sent it back.
I stumbled by it on cable in the last year and found it EVEN WORSE than before. they took all of the like-ability and charm out of the character of Bridget and just gave her a double chin instead. Nothing else made sense or was funny.
ReplyDeleteWhile I won't say that it's the worst movie ever, there are many many sequels that are better. Ghostbusters 2, Terminator 2, The Dark Knight, Evil Dead 2.... this movie SHOULD HAVE been good!
To be fair, while I didn't hate the book like I did the movie, it was based on a really stupid misunderstanding and that is the kind of thing that drives me insane and makes me think the writer is a hack.
Fair enough. I may be blind when it comes to things involving Bridget Jones. But I was able to appreciate it on 2nd viewing. I'll give you Ghostbusters of your list, but with the caveat that I haven't seen any Evil Dead or Terminator movies. Does that shock you?
ReplyDeletePerhaps we have shown that the only good sequels are action-oriented? Rom-coms DO NOT work as sequels as a general rule, I'd say. The only sequels that might work in the genre would be franchise ones: like if they made a sequel to When Harry Met Sally, but this time it was a different Harry and Sally. If they made a sequel with the same Harry and Sally, it would most certainly suck. But then when they make these kinds of sequels, they tend to be TV-movies for ABC Family or the like.