This DVD box set contains two films, Legally Blonde and its sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde. In comparison to the previous Legally Blonde releases, there isn't much difference. The two DVDs are the same previously released DVDs. However, the major differences are the fabulous accessories (extras) and packaging that resembles a pink purse. In addition, the version of Legally Blonde in this set is a stripped down version of the original, less extras. With that said, if you already own the two films (or either of them), there really isn't much cause to purchase this re-packaged release. Of course, if you've never seen both movies, read on.

In a word, I can only describe these two movies as "cute". From a very large-scale perspective, it's your average feel good movie that isn't always so average. While both films follow the same predictable theme of a happy movie, the manner in which it is attained is far from average. The Legally Blonde series stars Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a not so typical Californian blonde. Woods is the kind of girl who is rich, beautiful, full of life, and loves the color pink. At times, her "cute" personality tends to get annoying and is really out of place in common day situations. This "out of place"-ness adds a distinct comedy to the series, which sometimes can be quite funny. In addition, Woods' mind doesn't seem to be completely in reality, and she all too often comes off as a ditzy blonde who can't tell left from right. Of course, it shouldn't be much of a shock, but in both movies we get to watch Woods' odd way of life succeed and overcome situations, where it could only result in the positive if you have an imagination.

As earlier mentioned, the plot of each film is fairly predictable. They both have the exact same format. In the beginning of each film, Woods encounters an issue that is dramatic and life-altering (for her). At about the same time, she's introduced to a bunch of folks, some of which will turn out to be her friends and others her foes. The distinction is made clear when her odd personality attracts or alienates them. Of course, with her unconventional methods and the help her many friends, Woods is able to overcome her foes and accomplish her goal. Finally, the movie concludes with a happy-feel-good ending. In my humble opinion, this format worked well with the first movie, but the second film did not fair nearly as well.

In Legally Blonde, the Woods character is introduced, developed, and expanded. I enjoyed how we had the opportunity to watch her grow as an individual. She first started off as really annoying, but gradually started to learn the lessons and importance of life, which in turn enabled her role to become something more than she was at the beginning of the film. As well, the problem she faced seemed to be a much smaller setting than in the second movie. While it was still hard to stomach (in believability), it was endurable. In this first film, Woods' life takes a devastating turn for the "worst" when her loving boyfriend leaves her. In an effort to win him back, Woods enrolls in Harvard Law, but learns that there are more important things in life than the perfect "marriage".

Now Legally Blonde was a fairly good movie, but Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde was on a completely different spectrum. In fact, it proves that sequels aren't always as good as original. Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde takes the same approach as the previous film. However, unlike the first film we do not see Woods develop as much. It also feels like her character was reverted to her primal role. While in the end of Legally Blonde it felt like Woods really changed, she returns in the sequel annoying as ever. In this film, Woods heads off to Washington, D.C. to try to make animal testing for cosmetic products illegal. The motivation, to free her pet dog Bruiser's mother from captivity. Another slight issue I had with this movie was with the villains. There were many a folk who opposed Woods in her endeavors. The problem is that they converted to her cause way too easily. It made the approach to the problem that she faced seem even more unrealistic, because it didn't even feel like there was a problem. On a positive note, there were a few jokes in this film that left me really laughing.

Legally Blonde: Platinum Collection isn't a surefire winner. I enjoyed Legally Blonde, but Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde just fell out of my pleasure spectrum. The first film, while highly unbelievable, was cute and enjoyable. I liked the approach the film took as a feel good movie. However, I didn't feel that this approach worked well in the second film. Moreover, the plot of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde was pretty weak and the characters weren't written very well. The bottom line is that unless you are diehard fan of the movies, the extras included in this release do not make it worth purchasing. Especially considering that you can obtain both movies separately (and cheaper).

The DVD

Video:
The video of Legally Blonde is given in two formats: 2.35:1 ratio widescreen color and 1.33:1 ratio full frame color. The video of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde is given in 1.85:1 widescreen color. In general, I felt that both picture looked very similar, with colors looking quite rich and bold, compression artifacts occurring at a minimum, and only a slight grain in the picture.

Audio:
The audio tracks are the same in both releases. They come in three Dolby digital flavors, English 5.1 surround, French stereo surround, and Spanish stereo sound. The audio tracks in both releases sound very similar. The quality is quite good, with dialogue coming off flat, but music sounding very rich and vibrant. In addition, the music never seemed to overpower or drown out the dialogue. Also, there are subtitles in the English, French, and Spanish languages.

Extras:
Legally Blonde: Platinum Collection
These "fabulous" accessories (extras) that are included with this box set are what make the standalone versions of the Legally Blonde and this box set different. The extras include the same outlandish pink pen (with a fluffy fur ball) that Witherspoon uses in the movie, a small Elle Woods endorsed notebook, word magnets, and a 6 minute promotional DVD for Beauty Shop. The word magnets are worth mentioning. If you're not familiar with them, they're little doodads that you can stick on your refrigerator door or some other metal surface. Each magnet has a word and you can rearrange them to say what you want. Some of the words that you can play with include words like Elle, girl, power, snap, loves, and highlights. In addition, the two DVDs and all of these platinum collection extras come in a special box that resembles a pink purse. Overall, I don't really feel that these extras make a huge difference when considering purchasing this box set or the standalone versions.

Legally Blonde
There are two audio commentaries and a trivia track. The first audio commentary is with Robert Luketic, Reese Witherspoon, and Marc Platt. I found it to be the more interesting of the two, which was mainly because I liked hearing the insights from Witherspoon. The second commentary is with crew members from costumes, production, photography, screenwriters, and an animal trainer. It's a must for the fans, but a mildly interesting for everyone else. The trivia track uses the DVD subtitle feature. Randomly (and quite frequently) throughout the movie caption appears that reveals various facts about the actors/actresses, the movie, and set. As well, various trivia questions with answers are prompted throughout.

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde
The first audio commentary is with Jennifer Coolidge, Jessica Cauffiel, and Alanna Ubach. These three had a very limited role in the movie and quite frankly, hearing their thoughts about the film wasn't a very good experience. I would have preferred to have heard from someone who was more involved with the movie. The next extra is "Blonde Ambition", which was a making of featurette. In addition there are other extras that include a music video, "We Can" by LeAnn Rimes, deleted scenes, a pretty funny gag reel, a behind the scenes photo gallery, an interactive quiz, and trailers for the movie, the soundtrack, and the video game the SIMS.

Final Thoughts:
There isn't a lot about the Legally Blonde: Platinum Collection that makes it special. Sure it has a few extras not found in the standalone versions, but unless you're a six year old girl, what the hell are you going to do with them? The fact of the matter is that the extras that come with this box set do not make this release any better than the standalone versions. You'll be paying a few bucks more for a box that looks like a pink purse, a notepad, word magnets, and a pen. In my opinion, it's really not enough. In addition, you get both movies, which is a slight problem, which is because the first film is pretty good and the second film is a dud. You're better off purchasing the first film and renting the second. Overall, fans who really want the collector's items (in addition to the movies) should look into purchasing the Legally Blonde: Platinum Collection.