Everyone knows the sequel rule. It states that “a sequel to a extremely popular film is almost never as good as the original.” There has been exceptions to this rule, but those just prove the rule. So really all sequels only hope to be as good as the original as just being “as good” means it’s great. Of course, some would argue why make a sequel in the first place if it’s not better than the original. That’s easy enough to answer: money. No other demographic has more money to burn on movies than teenage girls and big movie studios love to target to that demographic. Enter 2005’s surprise hit, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and now the 2008 sequel. But can a second pair of Pants ever match up to the original pair?
In Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 life is different for the sisterhood, who are all now in college but who’ve kept communication open through the mailing of a miraculous pair of jeans they’ve adorned with their hopes and dreams. Lena (Alexis Bledel) is spending the summer drawing nude figures, soon falling in love with a model while her Geek paramour leaves her behind for a new life. Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) has a pregnancy scare that frightens her away from her true love. Carmen (America Ferrera) is overwhelmed when her set design internship at a theater company turns into a starring role. And Bridget (Blake Lively) finds the soul of her dead mother in a rekindled relationship with her long lost grandmother (Blythe Danner).
If you just look at the premise of these films on the surface, you would think that this is an absurd idea for a movie. Think about it: four girls with different body types sharing the same pair of blue jeans that fit them all perfectly and helps perform miracles. But really, the pants represent the closeness of their friendship. What this movie does best is promote the value of friendship. They may fight, but they will always support each other. Sure, the story is filled with melodrama and predictability, but there is not as much melodrama as you might expect. That said, compared to the original film, the sub-stories for each of the leads is just not as interesting this time around.
In the original Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants the four leading actresses were mainly unknowns. But by 2008 they are well known, especially in the TV world with Ferrera being on Ugly Betty, Lively on Gossip Girl, Tamblyn on Joan of Arcadia, and Bledel on Gilmore Girls. They all give fairly strong performances in the second film, but Tamblyn and Ferrera shine a little brighter mainly due to having more material to work with. But really that is the fatal flaw of this film. There is not as much interaction between the actresses and characters in Pants 2. They are all off in different places with only the “magic pants” holding them together. This also creates four separate subplots that don’t always weave seamlessly together. At least these characters are still good role models for the film’s target audience.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is just more of the same. It comes close to being “just as good” as the original Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but the lack of interaction between the lead stars hurts this film more so than the original. Also, the fact that the four separate stories featuring the four main leads switches back and forth at a faster speed, didn’t help this film either. Still that doesn’t mean that this is an awful movie. In fact, fans of the original will no doubt enjoy the sequel. But really Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is merely only an average to slight above average entry into the coming-of-age/romantic comedy film genre. It knows who its target audience is and it gives them everything they want a second time around.
The video is given in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen color, which is enhanced for 16:9 TV. The video is a little above-average for a new release film. The colors are mostly vivid and there are no real major or minor problems at all.
The audio included is available in either English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound, or French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English, Spanish, and French as well. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear, but nothing that special for a new release DVD. Still no major problems here either.
“Go Jump Off a Cliff” Featurette –
This runs 4 and a half minutes and it details the origins of the film’s final scene in Greece. Somewhat interesting, but not worthy of being the only “featurette”.
Deleted Scenes –
There are four scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the film and they total 8 and a half minutes. Typical stuff here with none of it really helping or hurting the film overall.
Gag Reel –
This is 4 minutes worth of the standard gags and bloopers you could expect from making this film. Not really that funny, but fans should enjoy it.
Sisterhood 2 is probably good enough for a purchase for hardcore fans of the original Sisterhood. If like this type of film genre, it is also good enough to rent it. It is nowhere near awful film, but it is not as good as the original and really it targets to a specific audience. If you are outside of that audience, stay away.
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Warner Home Entertainment presents Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Directed by Sanaa Hamri. Starring Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Blythe Danner, Jesse Williams, Michael Rady, and Rachel Nichols. Written by Elizabeth Chandler. Running time: 117 minutes. Rated PG-13. Released on DVD: November 18, 2008. Available at Amazon.com
