Miss Congeniality 2

FBI agent Gracie Hart shot to fame when she saved the Miss United States pageant from a crazy gunman. But fame has a price and because she is recognised everywhere she goes she cannot work as an undercover agent. After been given the choice of working behind a desk or becoming a public relations ambassador for the FBI, Gracie finds herself once again working with a personal stylish and having a makeover. Now more like a movie star than a FBI agent Gracie appears on the major television entertainment shows as the glamorous face of the FBI.

When Gracie's friend Cheryl, Miss United States, (Heather Burns), is kidnapped in Las Vegas along with pageant organiser Stan Fields (William Shatner) Gracie discovers that she isn't happy to sit back and give press conferences. She wants to get involved in the investigation and save her friends...

This sequel to Miss Congeniality isn't as funny and doesn't have the same charm as the original. There is even less of a story this time round. Concentrating on the comedy it seems that the flimsy, predictable plot only exists to help link the comedy that, at times, comes across as disjointed sketches. The light-hearted, slapstick humour of the original is carried on in this movie and some parts are funny but in between there are a lot of lame bits and without a good story there are more yawns than laughs!

Perhaps the five year gap between the movies doesn't help because, in order to link the characters there are some parts that are over-explained. There are also some jokes that are carried forward from the original and while it's not necessary to have seen the original some of the humour may be lost if you haven't.

Sandra Bullock is as endearing and charming as ever but the material isn't there and her character isn't half as interesting as in the first movie. The idea of turning Gracie Hart into someone she's not was far more interesting in the first movie when tomboy was changed to beauty contestant. Changing now from FBI Agent to FBI Public Relations Officer is a bit 'been there, done that'!

There is good support from Regina King who plays the part of FBI agent Sam who acts as Gracie's bodyguard. They don't see eye-to-eye and the pair end up in loads of catfights! Diedrich Bader plays the camp personal stylish who tries to keep Gracie looking her best at all times.

Bottom Line: The comedy is a bit hit-and-miss and without a good story the movie is a bit lame. Not as funny as the original. If you enjoy Miss Congeniality 2 you might enjoy Miss Congeniality,  Legally Blonde,  Legally Blonde 2,  Meet The Parents, or Meet The Fockers

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  SANDRA BULLOCK: Miss Congeniality,  Murder By Numbers, Two Weeks Notice.  REGINA KING: Legally Blonde 2.  WILLIAM SHATNER: Miss Congeniality.

Genre: Comedy

Director: John Pasquin

Certificate: Miss Congeniality 2 was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of twelve years of age and upwards. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. The movie contains moderate violence.

Official Movie Website: Miss Congeniality 2

~ Main Cast ~

Sandra Bullock

Regina King

Ernie Hudson

Diedrich Bader

William Shatner