MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED AND FABULOUS (*½)
The moment I saw the trailer for MISS CONGENIALITY 2, I had no doubts of its demise. Its predecessor was a somewhat charming creation that didn’t have the nerve to satirize its subject. Now we have this follow-up that bleeds obviousness in lethal amounts. When Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, and Candice Bergen all opt out of appearing in your sequel (Ms. Bullock is the film’s executive producer), you should take a hint.
But the hint is not taken, and thus we are not spared of the film’s lugubrious predictability. Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock), a likable creation of spunk and charm, is no longer stuck in a screenplay of missed opportunities, but is now mired in one that seems arbitrary and calculated. Her best friend and reigning Miss United States Cheryl Frasier (Heather Burns), along with pageant emcee Stan Fields (William Shatner), are conveniently kidnapped for ransom in Las Vegas. It’s Gracie to the rescue, but no longer as a FBI field agent, but as a spokesperson, since her pageantry fame prevents her from going undercover.
It never occurred to me that beauty pageant winners (even runner-ups) were so renowned. The movie’s citizens recognize Gracie immediately, regardless whether she’s dolled up or not. Here at home, where most Filipinos are obsessed with pageants (for reasons I could care less), I don’t know anyone who can name me any pageant titlists. Unless of course, they become sex starlets. But I digress.
The absence of Benjamin Bratt and Michael Caine calls for some much needed script-fixing. And the movie does so by giving Gracie a new partner in Sam Fuller (Regina King). She’s a no-nonsense gal, meaner than Gracie but with less patience. Her character is probably a tribute to the late brash writer-director of the same name (who directed the great World War II movie THE BIG RED ONE), but it couldn’t have come in an unlikelier movie. Michael Caine’s replacement stylist comes in Joel Myers (Diedrich Bader). Naturally of course, he has to be visibly gay in order for the movie to squeeze out as many laughs as it can.
It’s not so much the movie’s originality that bothers me. The kidnapping and beautiful tomboy shtick has been done before (and done well). But its lack of ideas and effort is astounding, and is manifest in its expectedness. Every joke is familiar, every outcome is clear, as if a computerized script doctor generated its story. It has no intention to surprise, and is merely content to play it safe with its clichés. I would pay to see a comedy that swings for the fences and fail, rather than to see it hedge its bets. The movie’s spinelessness is its greatest sin.
Sure it has some laughs, as when Gracie has Fuller demonstrate to Regis Philbin how to “S.I.N.G.” (“Not the groin!”). Or when Cheryl Frasier prepares to have her ransom video filmed. Or more particularly, when Gracie and Fuller do their Tina Turner stage show routine.
But really, do we have to watch another movie where we have to rely on people knocking each other over (as Fuller endlessly does), dressing in drag, silly makeup, and other comedic elements that are astonishing in their plainness? Do we have to see another authority figure (this time the Las Vegas FBI Bureau chief) unreasonably clash with the film's hero(ine) for the sole sake of moving the story along? The movie is essentially bereft of wit and inspiration, relying more on tomfoolery and convenience than intelligence for humor. Aside from some of the moments mentioned above, when it comes to being funny, “That’s all folks!”
The film’s cast looks forlorn, looking to get this cinematic debacle finished as quickly as they can. Good character actors like Treat Williams and Ernie Hudson are given unrewarding roles. Enrique Murciano, who plays the bumbling agent, is somewhat charming as a poor man’s Tobey Maguire. Diedrich Bader doesn’t sensationalize his gay stylist character. He is composed and has good comedic timing, but he’s no Michael Caine. William Shatner and Heather Burns have some of the movies funniest deliveries, but their screen time is woefully sparse. The splendid Regina King uses the performance training she received in RAY to good use for her stage piece, but the role is beneath her, as is every other for everyone else.
Sandra Bullock is without a doubt, the most talented comedic actress working today. If given the right roles and the right cast to work with, she shines (her comedic chemistry with Hugh Grant in TWO WEEKS NOTICE is a gem). But like her character Gracie, she’s in a career rut. She’s way too talented to take on this dreck, and proves it with her determined performance. Come hell or high water, she (with Regina King) perseveres through the film’s storytelling muck, and makes the film better than it really is. Unfortunately, that’s not saying much.
Could she need the money? Because that’s the only reason I can fathom why MISS CONGENIALITY 2 got the go signal. It’s a comedy for those who have never seen a comedy. I would now like to request that there be no MISS CONGENIALITY 3. Please.
Posted by FLIPCRITIC at March 24, 2005 01:25 PM