Bridget Jones's Baby

“You turn disasters into victories.” Bridget Jones’s Baby is a mostly successful attempt at making a tasteful romantic comedy for adult viewers that will make you forget the dreadful second Bridget Jones film while remembering the best of Working Title’s genre productions. However, the filmmakers try too hard to fulfil high expectations, which becomes apparent in the excessive runtime (and the resulting problems with pacing), and to play it safe (e.g. impressive but not very effective slow-motion shots and the autotelic inclusion of catchy pop songs). What we see is basically the third variation of the same story template, which is very predictable from start to finish despite the addition of a new unknown feature (the unborn child). Nevertheless, the film offers some surprises at least with small things like the generally believable behaviour of all of the main characters (Bridget finally acts in accordance with her age), who are able to reflect on their idiotic conduct (Jack apologises for lying to Mark). The incomprehension of today’s world of internet dating, photos of cats resembling Hitler, hipsters and Pussy Riot may not be as striking as in Marie Poledňáková’s films, but in places it is still painfully obvious that the filmmakers are stuck in a different era and are trying in vain to catch up with the times. What works best are the universal jokes on the topic of “men vs. women”, most of which co-screenwriter Emma Thompson stole for herself (a great line involving childbirth and a burning pub), that you will remember days after the screening. But you probably won’t remember much else. 70% (2016-09-16)

I wanted to be harsh and give it one less star, but why? Because it's about something completely different than the book? So? The story was just as good, though not as believable. But then again, it didn't have as much farting, which is great. In short, this episode is also a treat for lovers of British humor, and Bridget Jones fans will at least get what they expected. And maybe even more. The soundtrack is also perfect, one hit after another. Traditionally, I didn't understand Bridget in the middle of the film and cursed her for her indecision, but she still won me over in the end. Because she's just plain old Bridget. 4.5 stars. (2016-09-16)

The third look inside the life of this chubby goofball was definitely a disappointment. The creators, like me, apparently thought the first film was a success and figured out that all it would take was to rip it off and the third one would be just as entertaining. They couldn't have been more wrong. The two-hour runtime was downright excruciating, I was bored all the way through. The one star goes to Emma Thompson, who was the only one who actually made me laugh a few times. I understand that certain time had passed since the first installment, but watching a very worn-out cast dealing with the same problems over and over again just wasn't fun for me. It was rather sad to watch. Plus, I absolutely didn't get that awful disco soundtrack, which might have been suitable for a teen comedy. I guess a fourth installment is coming in about ten years, with hip replacement as the central theme. Yay, I’m sure it’ll be a blast! (2017-02-24)

Yes, it's logical that Patrick Dempsey is kind of a stand-in for Hugh Grant, so why not follow through with that assumption? The problem with the trio is that Bridget's development doesn't make sense. Whatever happened to the tragic awkwardness of her struggle with excess weight, her bad habits, and her incapacity to work? The new Bridget is new and incredible, as is Renée Zellweger's new face. Colin Firth, though, is sad, tired, and lacking in energy. What I could imagine as entertainment in paper form, where the basic situation of "an impractical heroine suddenly dealing with fatherhood between two all-too-attractive men who don't suit her at all" is barely sketched out in a series of funny anecdotes, and it is rather boring in a two-hour film of the same stuff. (2019-02-13)

The unwelcome addition of a long-forgotten joke that turned into a confident surprise. It's obviously over the top in a few places, because Bridget can't do it any other way. But the rest? The moderate Renée Zellweger, the perfectly matured Colin Firth, and finally once again my beloved Patrick Dempsey just the way I like him, as the ideal guy with everything. This trio works even better than when it was Hugh Grant competing with Mr. Darcy, and that's saying something, considering the romantic-comedy merits of that British scamp. The last chapter of the adventures of the very crazy girl next door is romantic, touching, and in a few places unbelievably funny. I didn't expect this to be the best part of the series by any means, so I can now wish it even more success. (2016-09-20)