| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this winning (if unsurprising) sequel is sure to appeal to teens and older tweens who are fans of both the books it's based on and the four stars, who are veterans of TV shows like Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty. That said, the characters are older now, and this film takes on more mature themes than the first movie. Some characters are sexually active: One girl loses her virginity, only to have a pregnancy scare soon after. Two underage characters drink wine in one minor scene, there are heavy discussions about suicide, and friendships are tested in sometimes painful ways. But all of these issues are relatable, and it's refreshing to see a film take them on in a straightforward manner. It's also great to see empowered, interested, caring teens make their way in the world.
The girls are back -- and so are the magical pair of pants -- in this sequel to the hit movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which itself was based on a series of books by the same name. Life is a little more complicated this time around, with the four main characters dispersed to various places during the summer after their freshman year in different colleges. Lena (Alexis Bledel) is taking a life-drawing class that pushes her beyond the typical bounds of love, while aspiring filmmaker Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) is writing a romantic comedy even as her own love life hits definite peaks and valleys. Meanwhile, archaeology student Bridget (Blake Lively) is inspired to dig into her own past, and Carmen (America Ferrera) realizes that she's not just a bit player in the theater or in life: She's a star. But all of the distance and excitement has tested the girls' friendships, and the pants may have lost their magic. Or have they?
Sweet, endearing, and, yes, a mite predictable, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2 won't disappoint fans of the first movie and the books. (It blends events from the second, third, and fourth books, though it mostly focuses on the fourth.) Just as in the original movie, the lead actresses all rise to the occasion, notably Tamblyn, who's a standout in her Goth getups and faux bravado. The problems they encounter are bigger here, and they delve into questions about love -- both familial and romantic -- as well as identity and even young parenthood. The film also examines the difficulties of maintaining long-standing relationships under the strains of time, distance, and lack of communication.
It's all interesting, for sure, but the overabundance of storylines hobbles the movie a bit: It feels fragmented, like the characters' lives. Thankfully, it's still nuanced, though it does take on quite a bit -- no wonder it runs a little too long. But in the end, the bonds of friendship are stronger than anything life lobs in the sisterhood's way.
Families can talk about what makes this movie different from other teen flicks. Is it a realistic or "Hollywood-ized" depiction of college students' lives and friendships? Can relationships that begin in childhood be sustained through life's ups and downs? How do you support your friends when they feel sad or angry? Families can also discuss the girls' different dilemmas. What issues do they have to confront? What choices must they make? How have they changed since the first movie?
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Sanaa Hamri |
| Cast: | Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 117 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 6, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | November 17, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | mature material and sensuality. |