Über-blonde Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) gets a chance to have more fun in the sequel to the hit 2001 comedy Legally Blonde, Legally Blonde 2 (secondarily titled Red, White, & Blonde in the U.S.). This very American comedy has all the makings of a popcorn movie for the female population: a likeable female lead with a hunky fiancé, some good laughs, and healthy doses of female bonding. Having conquered Harvard in the first film, Elle now sets out to conquer Washington D.C. When she discovers that her dog Bruiser’s mother is being used as an animal testing subject for a make-up company, she moves to D.C. to fight for animal rights, joining the staff of a liberal, fellow Delta Nu sorority sister congresswoman, Victoria Rudd (Sally Field). Though she encounters many obstacles, Elle finds a way to navigate the political minefield of Washington in her own unique way, all the while inspiring those around her to find voices of their own.

Although it is refreshing to see a movie that celebrates a good kind of girl power (i.e., one that shows you can be “girlie” but still have brains and accomplish your goals through empowering others vs. using your sexuality to manipulate others to get your way), overall Legally Blonde 2 was a bit of a disappointment. There are too many unbelievable plot elements, too much roll-your-eyes-at-it dialogue, and a bit too much pink. Plus, a lot of the humor is very U.S.-based, meaning most German audiences will probably not “get it” (if my mostly-German press screening audience is any indication). In all, while young girls (blonde and non-blonde alike) will love this film, everyone else will likely find it a frothy, though entertaining, 90-minute diversion.