Movie Review - 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2'

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Starring Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, and Amber Tamblyn
Directed by Sanaa Hamri
Rated PG-13

For what it set out to accomplish, the first Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was a good movie. The Godfather has nothing to worry about, of course, but as a film aimed at girls in their awkward teenage years, Sisterhood had a lot of good qualities. Certainly, it had more really good qualities than mediocre ones.

The stories seemed relevant to that audience and believable to those who may not be in the target demographic, the friendships had their ups and downs, and the performances – particularly by America Ferrera – were authentic and noteworthy.

In 2005, the film was something of a showcase for stars of a pair of TV series that enjoyed a big youth following, Amber Tamblyn from Joan of Arcadia and Alexis Bledel of Gilmore Girls. Fast forward three years and they’re the hangers-on in a sense; now, pop culture can’t get enough of Ferrera, an Emmy winner in Ugly Betty, and Blake Lively, the striking blonde star of Gossip Girl.

Even though the profile might be higher for Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 because of its gossiped girls, its quality is significantly lower. The first film was well-meaning, frank, and provided valuable lessons for teens about everything from open communication with their parents to sex, but the sequel devolves into more of a two-hour soap opera.

The conflicts never have a chance to develop organically and instead, every situation that happens to the four girls needs instant and overly dramatic resolution. Even the natural order of things – the growing emotional distance between four girls who now attend different colleges – can’t simply exist. It must explode.

There isn’t very much that’s special about this follow-up, despite more good performances. Even brief Blythe Danner and Shohreh Aghdashloo sightings fail to move the needle very much.

The pants still fit all the girls perfectly. It’s the plot that needs work.