In 2005, Tibby, Carman, Bridget and Lena walked into a store and blindly discovered a pair of pants that magically fit them all perfectly. As a result, the pants became a symbol of their friendship and love for one another. Each week during their summer apart, the girls passed the pants amongst each other, always sharing the joyous stories that occurred while enduring the second-hand garment. In the end, the pants were a result of love, loss and independence as they gave each girl a reason to venture outside of their comfort zone and live a little.
Now, three years later, the girls continue to spend a mountain of money of shipping as the pants maintain their destined voyage to be passed along every other week. However, to three of the girl, the mysterious garment has lost its flavor as they feel that the passing is more of a tradition than an actual necessity. And as they embark on another summer apart, it will be up to the pants to bring the childhood friend back together.
When the original film was released just over three years ago, critics and audience members were skeptic as to its overall success. Bringing in just over $29 million at the box office, no one ever thought there would be merit for a sequel, until now.
Starring four extremely popular television stars, Amber Tamblyn ('Joan of Arcadia'), American Ferrera ('Ugly Betty'), Blake Lively ('Gossip Girl') and Alexis Bledel ('Gilmore Girls') the film seemed to have all the star power it needs to generate at the very least a decent film. However, since the first film was released, many of these stars and their shows have radically depleted in both popularity and viewership, thus leaving a giant question mark on the potential success of this unneeded sequel. Not to mention the fact that every girl is slowly seeing their careers plummet into the abysses of yesteryears, leaving me to believe that this film could have been the result of four women desperate for a comeback.
Now that is enough about my opinions on the cast and the history of the film, now let's get to the film in question.
As a male, I must first admit that I am not supposed to like this film. In fact, I watched the first one and couldn't help but poke fun at the stereotypical antics that each girl experienced and the cliché moments that surrounded the movie and its generic plot. However, when looking at it from a broad perspective, I could understand why women appreciate the life lessons and feeling of pure innocence that it portrayed.
Now, as I sat in on the follow-up, there was little expectation that I would actually enjoy the film. To be honest, I would never be able to live it down if I ever admitted that I enjoyed the film "“ which I sadly didn't. However, what I can say is that the film was more unique and clever than the first one as each girl has grown and matured into a more definitive actress.
As the story begins, audience members are reintroduced to the four leading ladies.
Tibby, the rebel, has received an incomplete in one of her college courses and will be spending the summer taking a class that will require her to write a complete script. Lena, the careful one, has just discovered that he ex of a few months is set to be married to his new girlfriend, and thus decides to clear her head by enrolling in an art class where she will have the opportunity to sketch a live model. Meanwhile, Bridget, the daring one, will be attending a highly publicized dig, which leaves Carmen, the sappy one, as the lone member who cleared her summer schedule for her friends. But not to worry, one last minute call allows the dramatic coach to score a spot at a respectable summer drama camp.
While the first film seemed to be split into parts, venturing into each girl's summer and telling of their time with the pants, Part II seemed to flow more peaceful as characters interacted with one another more and really allowed the good and bad times of a friendship to come alive. Things aren't always happy and exciting in this film, helping it to represent the trial times of reality.
With that said, I will admit that I didn't find the film to be overly amusing or entertaining. In fact, I think that if I wanted to, a one and a half star rating would suffice my feelings. However, I truly believe that I was not within the scope of the film's target audience.
Fortunately, I had enough sense to speak to some of my female friends who all agreed one two factors: If you liked the first film, you will love and adore the follow-up. Additionally, this film is a clear cut chick flick that every chick needs to see with her best girlfriends. Enough said.
