Movie Review - 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2'
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 2:02PM The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2Starring 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.
Reader Comments (4)
you could totally use the same title for porn, and blonde is really pretty
i thought the film was amazing and you just have to see from a girls eyes, i found it very touching aswell on brigettes storyline but thats maybe because i can relate but its a really good film and i am likely to see it again again again and again
I agree with your review, this film was really lacking the qualities that made the first good. They tried to stuff too many things in there...like Bridget got to have two life-changing trips in one summer, and neither one had any particular impact for the audience.
I just didn't think it had as much determination as the first one. The original was very specific about what it wanted us to get out of the experience, and the sequel was just kind of a pile of ideas that didn't have much growth to them, just a beginning and an end. Or in some cases, a beginning and a middle. For example, Alexis Bledel and her new boyfriend? Where's that resolution. Amber Tamblyn's storyline was all setup and a weak payoff with none of the drama her subplot carried in the first flick.