Prime Video's new series Elle, an eight-episode prequel to Legally Blonde, exemplifies the pitfalls of unnecessary franchise expansion. Set in 1995, the show follows a high school junior Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) as her family moves from Los Angeles to Seattle after her father (Tom Everett Scott) botches a nose job on a celebrity. The series attempts a pink fish-out-of-water story but fails to capture the original's charm.
Heavy Reliance on the Original Movie
The pilot episode mirrors the 2001 film closely: it begins with a glittery envelope, this time for Elle's 16th birthday instead of an engagement, and opens with Elle at her vanity. Frequent references to Legally Blonde include the pink color palette, stereotyping Elle as 'blonde,' and meeting Bruiser as a puppy. According to the review, these elements come at the expense of new storytelling, with insufficient original content.
Lack of Humor and Depth
The show tries hard to be funny but falls short due to poor writing and a protagonist whose 'personality is pink' without modern relevance. Reese Witherspoon's 2001 portrayal captured complexity through humor, vulnerability, and strength, pioneering lipstick feminism. In contrast, the prequel feels redundant after cultural events like Greta Gerwig's Barbie (2023) and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, diminishing teenage Elle to a caricature.
Episodes average 49 minutes, making them too long for the content. The show attempts both comedy and family drama but excels at neither. Storylines involve Elle trying to fit in socially, get her first kiss, and apply for an internship back to Los Angeles, but pacing issues and poorly balanced plots stretch thin.
Undermining the Original's Legacy
The review concludes that Elle is a prequel that should not exist, as it undermines the iconic status of Legally Blonde. Elle Woods' positivity cannot outweigh the negatives, and the series fails to justify its existence.
