‘SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS’: WE REMEMBER THE FUN DUO!
Films Discussed: sisterhood of the travelling pants
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005): PG
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008): PG13
It’s been years since last I watched either one of these adaptations. So one night I settled in to watch the first film and despite the late hour, couldn’t resist starting the sequel. In case you’re unfamiliar with the story, it follows four lifelong 16-year-old best friends. They are Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Bridget (Blake Lively) and Carmen (America Ferrera), and they’ve never been apart for a summer, until this one. On one of their shopping trips, they find one pair of pants that “magically” fits each of them perfectly. Sure that this means something, the girls decide to mail the pants to each other over a summer of separation; including travel to Greece and Spain, hoping that the pants found them for a reason. sisterhood of the travelling pants
Over the next two years, along with their companions of heartbreak and laughter, the pants continue to be a part of the girl’s freshman years of college.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005, 2008) Film Review Thoughts
As I watch these films, I realize how easily I forget what cute “chick flicks” they are. I enjoy the characters, the locations, the saucy personalities and story. In addition to all of this, Ann Brandish’s characters are in good hands. Some of the actors who play characters include Jenna Boyd (in a moving role as Bailey); Michael Rady (now a frequent Hallmark star); Lucy Hale; Blythe Danner; Rachel Nichols; and Tom Wisdom. Though the books didn’t make it into my reading habits, after two adaptations, I cannot imagine enjoying anyone else in the roles. Each girl brings something unique and the emotions they get out of their characters makes them better. There is change between movies one and two which is (mostly) good, thought some emotions do repeat in both movies. Some of the same disagreements do crop up in a reality check truisms. sisterhood of the travelling pants
‘SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS’: WE REMEMBER THE FUN DUO! #Moviearchives #Movies Share on XFILM REVIEW | SEE A SUPER FUN ROAD TRIP ROMANCE IN ‘OVERNIGHT DELIVERY’
Rumors of a third film have been circulating and while I’ll be first in line, I doubt it will ever see production if they cannot reunite the primary four cast members. Something I would completely agree with. The scenery in both films is also beautiful; particularly in the final scene of the sequel (one that an actress lobbies for). Plus, there’s all those scenes in Greece! I like the sequel just as well if not better than the original, mainly because of the change in Bridget. Triumphs and tragedies follow these four girls and through it all, bumps and bruises aside, they define the meaning of friendship. This is the primary reason these stories remain endearing.
Review questions of the day: Have any of you read these books? If so, which did you like best – books or movies? Let’s chat.
Content: There’s suggestive content in both films. In movie one, one of the girl’s loses her virginity and reacts (emotionally) bad in the aftermath. The girl’s tease Lena for her shyness and lack of experience with a boy. In the sequel, another girl has sex (clothing removal and afterwards, a scene of her lying in bed) with her longtime boyfriend (and they have a pregnancy scare). There’s some immodest clothing and thematic familial issues.
So, I saw the first Pants movie with my sister when it released…we had plans to go to a different movie, but got to the theater and suddenly felt more in the mood for light-hearted fun instead of the serious movie we'd planned on. But this movie totally took me by surprise–it has its light-hearted moments, but it was also surprisingly moving and heart-tugging. I really loved it!
I was a little less impressed by the second one, but it was enjoyable.
Haven't read the books, though…
I did too, Melissa and recently re-watching them reminded me just how much I adored them. You describe the stories so perfectly. It is lighthearted but woven into it is plenty of poignant moments, plus I love seeing Alexis (GG) in something else too even if she does virtually play the same, sweet kind of character. :)
That's a fun story to remember seeing this one. Glad you shared your thoughts – and as always, thanks for visiting. :)
It has been so long, but I did read the series and really enjoyed it! I remember wanting special pants like that with my friends! :) Haven't seen the movies in ages, but I have to admit I thought the first one was better then the second! Bailey was my favorite character in the book and movie!
Good to know, Laura, I really glad to have your book and movie perspectives. After rewatching the movies I kind of have the urge to read the novels so I'm curious to know if they're good reads. Bailey is a lovely character – her story is a sad one yet important to Tibby's growth.
First a disclaimer that the extent of my experience with the books in this series is looking up their synopsis' on Wikipedia, so I won't be able to shed any light on how the movies stack up in comparison.
Now onto my thoughts about the movies themselves: I'm going to go against what seems to be the trend, and say that I infinitely preferred the sequel to the original, because a) Tom Wisdom, b) Shakespeare, and c) the story-lines. Each girl's journey is just so much more interesting in Number 2, for me anyway, my favourite story definitely Carmen's, Lena's my favourite in the first movie, (what can I say, I'm a sucker for first love stories!). Also, I could possibly get on board with the idea of turning this thing into a trilogy, if, as you said, they got the same actresses to come back.
Thanks for the review, and I could not agree more with your concluding comment, that the main reason these stories have such appeal is the friendship between the four girls, which is solid and deep, more like sisters than anything else!
God Bless
Eleanor Rose
I'm thinking about reading the books, Eleanor especially if a third movie is made, which I'm all for – it'd be fun to catch up with these four. :)
I totally agree; I like the sequel as well if not better than the first, mainly for the reason you state that the girl's have grown up so much, plus I like that Bridget's story (in the sequel) is strictly about her journey and not a love story after the first movie. Lena's story is sweet throughout and I did like Tibby's in movie 1 because of her personality it was interesting to watch Bailey's affect on her.
Thank YOU for reading and joining in the comments, Eleanor. It's fun to chat with you. :)
I have not read the books, sorry. But I have seen the movies and love them! The second one is my favorite of the two. Like you said, Bridget has grown up and, for that matter, so have the rest of them. I love the friendships portrayed here! It's fun to watch them grow and change and become somewhat distant from each other, yet finally realize that they do need each other, just not as much or in a different capacity. The actresses do a fabulous job and like you, I simply can't imagine anybody else playing the parts.
Now I need to go home and have a rewatch! :)
*High Five* to a fellow sequel fan! I agree, it's just as good if not more of a favorite. All four have grown up a lot, but I suppose since I was most disappointed in Bridget in movie 1, it was the nicest to see her evolve. She flirted with danger in movie 1 and wound up hurt as a result of her foolishness.
It's nice to see a friendship withstand the tests of time and distance. Yes, I know this is fiction, but maybe it's an inspiration to some of us who maybe need to examine our friendships and make sure we're treating them right. :)
Yay! Enjoy that rewatch.