From Deseret News archives:

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

Published: Thursday, March 24, 2005 1:02 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
If they awarded trophies for movie sequels, "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous" wouldn't even qualify for a consolation prize . . . or a booby prize, for that matter.

In fact, this follow-up to the surprising 2000 comedy hit is so deprived of charm and so full of shrill, forced humor that it may make fans of the original forget why they enjoyed it.

"Armed and Fabulous" picks up right after the first film, except that FBI agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) has broken up with the agent played by Benjamin Bratt in the first film. This has left her smarting and unable to deal with her newfound fame as a result of her undercover participation in the Miss United States Pageant.

So Gracie's bosses decide to give her a new job, as the new public "face" of the FBI, complete with another style-and-personality makeover. They've also given her a bodyguard, Sam Fuller (Regina King), who's as hostile and aggressive as Gracie used to be.

When Gracie goes to Las Vegas on a public-relations tour, she and Sam begin investigating the kidnapping of the reigning Miss United States (Heather Burns, repeating her role from the first film) — much to the dismay of the local FBI chief (Treat Williams). William Shatner is also on hand, reprising his character.

Story continues below
Among those who didn't return for the sequel were co-stars Michael Caine, Candice Bergen and Bratt. And as a result, the film is woefully lacking in star power.

Worse, little of this material is as funny as screenwriter Marc Lawrence and director John Pasquin intended it to be. You can tell just how desperate they are by the jokes about feminine-hygiene products and gags involving people getting hit in the groin. A lot of it is also surprisingly mean-spirited and violent (and not just in the slapstick way).

Still, give Bullock credit for her ability to make dialogue funnier than it should be (she does know how to deliver a line). But she doesn't get a lot of support — Diedrich Bader is a woeful replacement for Caine, and even Shatner's supporting bit goes awry.

"Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous" is rated PG-13 for action violence (shootings, fisticuffs and violence against women, some of which is done for laughs), crude sexual references and humor, and scattered use of profanity. Running time: 115 minutes.


E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Movie Info
Rated PG13 for profanity, vulgarity.

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Regina King, Treat Williams
FIND LOCAL MOVIE SHOWTIMES
Image
Warner Bros. Pictures

Sandra Bullock stars in the shrill and charm-deprived "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous."

previousnext

Latest comments

Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...

I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...

Price injured; Miles has cast removed

hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...

Jazz blow big lead, hang on

play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...

I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...

Thousands protest health bill

That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...

What exactly were Nephite interpreters?

I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...

I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...

U. hopes to keep clicking

BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...

NFL: Midseason grades

i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

Advertisements
Advertisement