It’s been well over a decade since the last Bridget Jones movie was in theaters. We all watched as Bridget and Mark end up finally engaged and the movie end – we assume everything ended in a “Happily Ever After” moment. But in true Bridget fashion – things get a bit messed up. And in the third installment to the film series, opening in theaters today, we find out what really happened.
I was treated to an advanced screening of the movie, and went in with high hopes since I (still) love the original two movies. But with it being 12 years since Edge of Reason was released, I knew the movie could go one of two ways – really well, or really bad. Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed and was treated to a hilarious new movie in the series. There were times that the theater – that wasn’t completely full – was laughing so loud you couldn’t hear all of the dialogue.
Bridget Jones’s Baby isn’t the same as the first two movies and stands completely on its own. It is funny, but a more mature funny that takes into account that the fans of the original movies are also 12 years older. It does lack the signature knock down drag down fight that the first two movies had, which can easily be explained by the lack of Hugh Grant’s character being in the film (although he is referenced). Instead, both male love interests fight in a bit more gentlemanly way – which again, is something you’d expect with age.
What you can expect however is a return of Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and all of the rest of Bridget’s friends. But with new additions of Patrick Dempsey and Emma Thompson, you are guaranteed a funny movie. You don’t need to see the original two movies to enjoy Bridget Jones’s Baby, and there is a very brief flash back sequence. Overall, the movie is great girls night out that leaves you questioning which guy is the father right up until the very end. This long rumored, and sometimes cancelled addition to the series is well worth the wait.