While Reese Witherspoon shines as the smart yet ditzy Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde: Red White & Blonde," her pursuit of Washington, D.C., does not quite measure up to Elle's fun-filled journey at Harvard Law in the first flick.

The sequel tells the story of Elle Woods traveling to Washington to oppose future testing on animals after she finds the mother of her precious Chihuahua Bruiser is being used as a cosmetic test subject. An outraged Elle decides to utilize her plan while working for Congresswoman Rudd (Sally Field), a grown-up version of Elle - all the while planning her dream wedding to law professor Emmett Richmond (Luke Wilson).

As Elle travels down the difficult path in pursuit of animal rights, she realizes the task will be tougher than she imagined. So, because Elle can't do it alone, she welcomes the ideas of doorman Sidney Post (Bob Newhart). Also returning to Elle's side - apparently for lack of anything else to do - are hair stylist Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) and a couple of Elle's Delta Nu sorority sisters. These characters were a comic hit in the first "Legally Blonde," but can't seem to elicit the laughter they did in the first.

In "Legally Blonde," audiences were able to look past the unrealistic plot line of Elle's transition from sorority sister to trial attorney based on Witherspoon's Golden Globe-nominated performance, but the sequel is a different story. Somehow, Elle attending a Congressional hearing dressed in a Jackie O.-style pink suit and cap is unbelievable this time around.

Witherspoon portrays Elle as such a kind and non-judgmental person. You can't help but adore her despite the film's shortcomings. Her performance as Elle may not spark another Golden Globe nomination and Hollywood hype as the next big thing, but she is still able to wisecrack.

Sally Field is perfect as Rudd, who Elle is impressed with not only because she believes in her animal rights cause, but because she knows hair style. Field urges the audience to believe that the "Elles" can make it to the top by sticking together.

If you haven't already made it a priority to catch the latest buzz on what Elle Woods is up to, save your money for the DVD release.

Overall: ***

Acting: ***

Directing: **1/2

Cinematography: ***

Musical Score: **1/2

Script: ***