If audiences learned anything from Legally Blonde, it was to never underestimate a blond with a mission.
In her first screen appearance, sorority sister Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) was determined to show the arrogant, elitist boor of a boyfriend who dropped her that she could do anything better than he could.
So Elle promptly got accepted into Harvard law school and became one of its top students.
She also snagged herself Emmett Richmond (Luke Wilson), a handsome law professor.
In Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde, opening today, Elle is about to be made partner in a prestigious Chicago law firm when she discovers one of the firm's biggest clients is a company that tests cosmetics on animals.
And not just any animal.
One of the prime test animals is none other than her beloved chihuahua Bruiser's mom.
Elle packs her bags and heads to Washington to lobby for animal rights.
Fortunately Elle and Legally Blonde 2's writer, Kate Kondell, are familiar with the 1939 Frank Capra classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, in which an idealistic Jimmy Stewart teaches the U.S. Senate a thing or two.
No one associated with Legally Blonde 2 is trying to hide its debt to Capra and Stewart.
Elle is glimpsed watching Mr. Smith on TV, but where that classic offered as much drama as comedy, Legally Blonde 2 is pure frivolous fun.
Witherspoon makes Elle so buoyant it's a wonder the woman ever touches the ground.
She goes through the film with a giggling, wiggling optimism that's as contagious as it is delightful.
Witherspoon's genius is that Elle strikes people like a Capitol Hill Barbie, but wins them over when they realize she is smart, savvy and sensitive.
It's hilarious watching Elle win over stodgy old politicians and turn ugly duckling assistants into proud, confident women.
As Congresswoman Rudd, Sally Field helps ground Legally Blonde 2 in some kind of reality.
There is never a hint that Rudd was once an Elle - only that she understands and believes this legal eagle has brains to match her pink outfits.
Regina King is the film's villain, playing Rudd's overworked, over-ambitious aide - but only because she believes Elle's animal rights bill will detract from more vital ones on housing and education.
Bob Newhart has a winning little cameo as the doorman who knows all the secrets in Washington and entrusts them to Elle.
It's Newhart at his stammering, questioning best.
Jennifer Coolidge, who made beautician Paulette Parcelle such a comic hurricane in the first film, is back but with not nearly enough screen time.
Coolidge is one of the funniest people in the business but writers don't seem to know how to exploit her earthy, sensual antics.
Bruiser remains one major scene stealer, but at least he's allowed to be more than a fashion accessory for Elle.
This time he has a whole storyline of his own, and it's a wild one at that.
Legally Blonde 2 is a shaggy dog story that keeps wagging its tail because the talented Witherspoon has wisely surrounded herself with strong character actors and a director (Charles Herman-Wurmfeld) who knows how and when to showcase each of them.
(This film is rated PG)
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