SPOILERS

Very rarely am I excited by the release of a chick-flick, but I’ve always enjoyed Bridget Jones. I’ve read the books and seen the movies, and I’ve always related with Bridget.

Like she, I’ve always been a bit socially awkward, I say and do the wrong things often making a buffoon of myself, I’m a terrible public speaker, I could loose a few pounds, I have terrible taste in men yet am a hopeless romantic, and I’ve worked in publishing/television just like she has.

It’s been 12 years since the sequel Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason was released. So does it live up to the originals? Well, yes – but no. The charm of Bridget is in how she is. Now I’m not going to say that Renee Zellweger has had plastic surgery or not, but her change in appearance is only heightened by the montage near the end of the movie. And yes, we should congratulate Bridget for her reaching her ideal weight, which she states in the movie, but I miss her curves. There’s just no need for a huge iconic knicker moment if she’s all skin and bones …

I also felt like they were making Bridget clumsy for the sake of it. Like she meets Patrick Dempsey’s character Jack by falling in the mud in heels. Not only is it over the top, but it’s not really possible. Her heels would merely make her sink in the mud, thus she would not fall the way she did. Yes, I’m nitpicking but also no one looking for a hot weekend away would wear such hideous kitten heels as those! Yuk!

But Patrick Dempsey is charming. You know from the beginning that he and Bridget aren’t going to stay together because that’s not in the essence of true love when Mr Mark Darcy is involved. But is it Jack’s baby? Well, it just could be! See, Bridget sleeps with Jack and Mark within a couple of days of each other, falls pregnant and then is unsure who is her baby Daddy.

The movie felt like it dragged a little, but I guess that’s life. There’s are sub stories of Bridget’s work life, her Mum’s political campaign, her friends’ (although they don’t feature very much in this movie at all) lives with babies of their own, and Mark’s divorce and jealously of Jack. Although the way there is humour, although not as much as previous movies. Hugh Grant also does not make an appearance – although he is mentioned.

One of my favourite moments was at the very beginning with Bridget’s new work colleague whisks her on a weekend away for her birthday at a music festival. Having just recently been to a similar music festival, this hit home like no other. When they’re in the VIP tent, they ask Ed Sheeran if he could take a photo of them. Thinking they want a photo with him, he goes to take a selfie with them, to which they turn around and say they meant for him to take the photo of them only. It’s funny. It’s cute. She later goes zorbing with Ed and he sings – like a friggin’ rockstar, mind you! – and it’s all around adorable!

Supporting performances are strong, including that of Emma Thompson.

I’m not going to spoil the end on whose baby it is, but the movie, of course, comes with a happy ending. The plot isn’t revolutionary nor original, but the story is enjoyable enough. If you’re a fan of the previous adaptations, then you’re probably going to like this too. Don’t go in with high expectations and you should be just fine.

Although more James Callis next time would be appreciated!