Legally Blonde FIRST TIME WATCHING // Reaction and Commentary // Reese is a WONDER!! 

Them choosing to end on her speech at graduation rather than the proposal is SO GOOD. It's about her personal growth and achievements. The relationship is just one bonus.

I'm 64 and a father of two girls and two boys. The girls and my then-wife were really excited to watch this movie and I was being my typical crotchety film-judgy self, sneering at the marketing material look of the movie and not giving it a chance, all the way through the opening sequence. I watched the movie with everyone at home (rented VHS) and absolutely loved it. Great comedy, great writing, great performances and I totally went with the feel-good vibe at the end. Really glad I gave it a chance and that everyone just ignored me for a while. This movie got a couple Golden Globe award nominations and won a whole slew of super-sweet new-millennium VHS-era awards. Deserved.

What's great about this movie is that Elle is a believable underdog, and people belittle her in realistic ways instead of just being dumb bullies. And Elle remains such a nice person though it all, this is how a strong independent woman is written. She stays herself. Also it's good that her professor is realistic too, until the scene where he hits on her, he does not seem like that kind of creep. If he did, it would have weakened Elle's character for not catching on. And Chutney is also the name of one of Santa's oldest elves who hates Santa and once stabbed him in the chest with a wood chisel.

Man, I burst out laughing at "YOU BITCH" every time. Genius.

Warner is a real misogynistic jerk. He got waitlisted to get into Harvard Law and has the nerve to tell Elle that she's not smart enough to get an internship in the professor's law firm!

Please don't listen to the haters. Your personality is perfect for these reactions. I literally cheered out loud when I saw you were reacting to this. Thank you!!

I love the older lady in the salon who says “What?!? Practically _DEFORMED?!?“_

Another Reese Witherspoon comedy I really recommend is Pleasantville, one of the most unique films I have ever seen.

The old Apple laptops with the translucent plastic are such a nostalgic blast from the past.

When the Mrs. dragged me to this in the theater, I had every expectation that a dude dragged to a chick flick would have----but it was a great script despite the predictable trajectory, which need not torpedo a film. The crisp, snappy dialogue and the smart characterizations are what carry it. We know a happy ending is standard for a film like this, so the journey there and the supporting case are what make or break such films.

Your reaction to "ammonium thioglyclate" was priceless. It's an awesome scene.

Have you seen Reese in "Walk the Line"? She makes a believable June Carter and she holds her own opposite Joaquin Phoenix's Johnny Cash. She also does her own singing.

Another good Reese Witherspoon movie is Sweet Home Alabama. It also has Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey and Candice Bergen. It's directed by Andy Tennant.

I completely agree with you about The House Bunny being underrated. Finally someone who sees it the way I do!

A 179 on the LSAT is incredibly high. The max score is 180, and a 179 is practically impossible, especially considering Elle had really only been cramming for the exam for maybe a semester?

I love this movie because the prom queen from my high school (a blonde) decided that she was going to go for it and became a lawyer! No one ever thought she was dumb, though.

Jen Coolidge was brilliant in Best of Show another film that you should do a reaction to.

If you’ve never seen Josie and the Pussycats, you have to see it. Especially if this type of movie is your jam. Underrated, and honestly the best break up soundtrack

- 18:10 - Witherspoon's delivery of "ME!!!", with the fist pump and the grin, is hilarious 😄 ... It also just occurred to me that both Selma AND Reese were also in CRUEL INTENTIONS. - I'd recommend JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS if you haven't seen it. Actually has clever things to say about commercialism. And ELECTION for another great Witherspoon role. - I'm surprised the writers also wrote THE HOUSE BUNNY. I assumed that Sandler or some of his entourage wrote it 🤔

I love this movie because when it first came out I had no interest in seeing it. I thought it was going to be another “dumb blonde movie.” When I finally did watch it, it was so wonderfully subversive, and it actually made me consider some of my prejudices (not against blonde, but I was definitely judging the book by the cover). If you like Jennifer Coolidge that much, I definitely recommend Austenland, even just for you for fun. I don’t think anyone has ever reacted to it, and it won’t get a lot of interest, but you would like it. Jennifer Coolidge, Keri Russell, Bret McKenzie, Jane Seymour, Georgia King, James Callis, and Ricky Whittle. It’s a brilliant cast with a really funny script and lots of leeway for improv.

If you haven't seen it, Clueless is a 1995 movie with a a similar energy. Plus points for having Paul Rudd. Edit: Oh wait, just watched your trivia summary

As someone who was born in 1993 and an aspiring law student this movie is an absolute treasure! And I’m so glad you love it as much as I do. It definitely has a special place in my heart not just because of its iconic scenes but also it’s very progressive theme of women being able to have a duality of being both beautiful and feminine and also intelligent and classy. It encourages women to challenge themselves and that women don’t have to choose between being pretty and flirty or intelligent and more modest. Truly a theme ahead of its time and of course the music was so perfect! I always get nostalgic when I hear the upbeat and feel good music back then, they just don’t make it like that anymore. Your video was so much and I loved it!

I remember this doing big business and Reese Witherspoon became very wanted. It reminded me of "Clueless" as well, especially when Cher negotiated a higher grade than initially given, her father was more proud than if she'd actually earned the grade!

Elle’s father is from Rom-Com Detective series “Remington Steele” and her “Guidance/Admission Counselor” from Rom-Com Detective series “Moonlighting”.

Elle essentially DID make the "hero's journey" (or in this case, "heroine's journey").

Hey Shanelle! You're right about how awesome the writing is. One thing that amazes me about it, is just how much plot they crammed in without it being a hot mess. There's the main story of Elle following her boyfriend, but accidentally becoming a good lawyer in the process, there's the new love interest, there's the whole progression of Vivian leaving Warner and becoming friends with Elle, there's the drama of the court case itself and the defendant, then there's the whole harassment side story and all of the misunderstanding that comes from that, not to mention the entire side love story with the UPS guy and Paulette, and also her character arc where she confronts her ex and "takes the dog back" . . . like, there's a ton of story packed into this script and it all feels just right in terms of pacing, believability, acting, length of film, everything is just perfect that way. Like, totally!

My mother was an extra in one of the wide shots, and was positioned fairly close to Reese, but ended up getting moved far away due to her being a blonde as well, so I can confirm that they took active measures to ensure the Reese's blonde hair stood out in many scenes.

I have a great idea for a new Legally Blonde movie. Elle is running for President but she needs an opponent who is equally smart and ambitious but is also ruthless. I suggest Tracy Flick, of course Reese would play both parts.

Someone mentioned but I'm seconding it... Austenland is a must. Jennifer Coolidge's improv in it is iconic. Definitely taking something serious and making it very silly 😂

Elle is such a great heroine. She is strong from the start, and she didn't have to learn any “lessons”, she just discovered her own strengths and ambition. She began the movie with strong principles- not giving up the alibi, not telling Warner about Vivian tricking her into dressing up, and she doesn't ever judge the other women characters who are wildly different than her, like Paula. She also enevr resorts to sabotage or intentionally making Vivian look bad in order to win Warner back. Elle has real class, even if she's not as “sophisticated” as the snobby east coast people.

This movie came out the summer after I took the LSATs and was about to start applying to law school so obviously I went. I was shocked at how great and clever it is and have watched it dozens of times since.

Oh you totally need to watch the musical. The whole thing is available online, I think it was filmed for an MTV event. If you like the music you’ll love the full show. The energy is just through the roof. Obviously it’d be hard to do a reaction with all the music, but it’s worth checking out on your own.

In 2003 she earned $15 million for Legally Blonde 2. She also earned her first Executive Producer credit for the sequel. From this point on, Reese earned a standard $15 million minimum base salary per movie.

the first movie i ever saw reese in was Man in the Moon. i was so impressed by her acting at such a young age and i've been impressed with her since. she's so good in this movie and you're right, the writing is great. loved your reaction! :)

I'm so glad you're reacting to this, this movie is one of my guilty pleasures. What a great story and perfectly acted by Reese Witherspoon. It's clever and quirky and just fun.

A perfect score for the LSAT's is 180 so Elle was nearly perfect since she had a 179.

Fun reaction. I agree that “The House Bunny” is way underrated.

I graduated H.S. in 2001. This movie was on rewind in my VCR.... Love your channel and reactions!

Not sure if you've already seen it, but Reese's film debut, The Man in the Moon. I saw it in the theatre, obviously had no idea who she was, but could tell immediately she was going to be great.

Fun fact: Harvard almost never allows filming anymore on their campus because when they allowed them to film scenes from the movie Love Story (1970), they used fake snow on the ground and it killed a bunch of trees. What I love about Elle in this movie is how she is non-judgmental, even though she's always getting judged.

Reese Witherspoon's best movie is "Freeway" with Kiefer Sutherland, he's so creepy in that movie. It's a modern day retelling of "Little Red Riding hood"

The movie you really need to watch is My Cousin Vinny if you haven't already. So many one-liners

Growing up in LA I thought it was so cool that most of the scenes in the film were shot in LA primarily, but after they released the film to test audiences they were left unsatisfied by the ending production actually had to follow Reese to London where she was filming another film to finish the graduation scene. So most of the movie was filmed in Pasadena and Los Angeles, and the ending was filmed in London.

I remember reading interviews with Reese Witherspoon during this film's initial release where she said she saw her role in "Legally Blonde" to be her Judy Holiday/"Born Yesterday" moment. Judy Holiday was a B-list actress prior to "Born Yesterday" and decided to elevate her role (and the movie itself, frankly) as much as possible. She could have played the part as a pedestrian 'dumb blonde' stereotype but pushed to make it more. Judy Holiday came away with an Oscar for the effort she put into it. Reese looked at Elle and saw the part as her own vehicle to elevating her name and opportunities in the acting field, and it worked. While Reese may not have gotten an Oscar for her performance, the film is absolutely a cult favorite, being light & fun & intelligent & memorable. Please note, Tori Spellman was the 1st asked & turned down the role, then the script went to Christina Applegate who passed on it. Also turned down by Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alicia Silverstone, Katherine Heigl, Milla Jovovich, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Reese was quite happy to make lemon chiffon cake out of what other actors had apparently only seen as stale sour lemons. I recommend you watch "Born Yesterday" (1950) even if you don't do a reaction to it on your channel. I think it's good context for the film, given that Judy Holiday approached her role in an enlightened way and Reese took a page from her to do the same. Reese and Judy were both smart enough to take a calculated step to do a better job than what was written on the page, and it made a difference.

I saw this film three weeks before it came out at a special preview. They had us fill out questionnaires about the film. I absolutely loved it, (and so did my fiancee at the time), and it put me in a good mood for days after seeing it. The definition of a fun film.

I love this movie so much, I'm so glad you have seen it now! Such a gem, that definitely holds up now. The music is truly iconic.

I love that she is genuinely nice despite everyone's prejudices against her because of her looks, interests and personality!

29:33 - I've never understood people that make those kind of inane comments like _"OMG you've never seen this movie before? I don't believe you!"_ etc. Like, do people not realise that not everyone will have seen the exact same films as them or that not everyone else had the same film experiences as them growing up lol. 🤡😂 Great reaction Shanelle!

This is an ICONIC film, and I am SO happy to see you react to it, Shanelle! Loving the rainbow in the background, too!

The creepy tall student in her story group is actually Anthony Perkins (Psycho) son. It’s totally in the eyes.

Hi Shanelle..just wanted to say that I have seen quite a few videos of people reviewing movies and i just admire your way of thinking when you watch these classics..you absolutely see the depth of the characters as witnessed by your different emotions as the movie progresses...wonderful job on your reviews!...oh and P.S.. Love your laugh!..cracks me up everytime..take care and God Bless..A Sailor from Seattle

RE: Jennifer Coolidge, got multi-awards nominations this year for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS in a TV Series, from Golden Globes, SAG, etc. for her work in THE WHITE LOTUS. I hope you check it out, Thanks.

I saw this by accident in a one screen cinema where what you watched was dictated by the time you showed up. I arrived at the wrong time, and ended up enjoying this far more than what I went to see.

That"s how to make a good movie better! Thanks Shanelle, always better then expected. I would only be disappointed if you were not yourself. Keep it up, looking forward to your next reaction.

Here in the UK, a few days ago, Reese Witherspoon was mentioned on the BBC's News Channel. It appears she is to become the first Best Actress Oscar winner to take to the CBeebies Channel's "Bedtime Stories" show, reading the book Extraordinary written by Penny Harrison. The CBeebies Channel is a BBC channel aimed at children of preschool age.

I had seen it before but now I am seeing movies anew after enjoying so many of your reactions. I was astounded by so many elements that by passed me before. A major one is the wonderful use of color here. I was so transfixed that I did not move during the whole duration (on Patreon), when it was over I realized my foot, calf and thigh had "fallen asleep". It took 10 minutes to get circulation back to normal.

What a fun reaction~ I love this movie! So bright and sparkly. And the law school scenes are surprisingly accurate! Right down to the study groups and getting kicked out of class for not being prepared. You should listen to the commentary track. It's very informative and interesting!

Love Elle and love your reactions. You should definitely watch Legally Blonde 2. Obviously not as good as the first one, but in the world of sequels it is a very good one! I know you would love it!

As a man. Diving into ultra-girl world is pure comedy gold. Sorry, comedy platinum. To have a portrayal of people who plan out their wholes only to find out life doesn't go according to plan, leaves me rolling off the chair every time. Girl backstabbing, to girl sisterhood, to girl power. The arc of emotional development is complete. My other comedy favs are, "Leap Year", and "DEvil Wears Prada".

180 is a perfect LSAT score, so she knocked it out of the park :) Thanks for another great reaction, and I’m going to second another commenter’s suggestion that you watch Josie and the Pussycats if you haven’t seen it yet. Definitely another high energy comedy.

Please watch THE NEVERENDING STORY!

See everyone over at the podcast after watching this!

That last courtroom scene...so Hollywood. 😎

I’ve been using ‘funner’ since i first saw this. People (uptight) would constantly let me know “that’s not a word”. I would say “that was a test, to see if we could be friends?……we can not.” Anyway, it WAS put into the dictionary and I wonder if it’s because of this movie 🤣

I love this movie! I love Reese and the cast, the script is excellent. I love that her and the girl become best friends and they both drop Warner.

Little bit of trivia that I don’t think is widely known about Reese that may be applicable to her performance in this movie. When she was in high school she participated in the Nashville and Tennesee high school mock trial competitions and was known to be one of the top team members (as you might expect with her acting chops) for Harpeth Hall High School which for many many years was one of the top teams in the state. I ran the Nashville and Tennessee competitions for a number of years starting in 1995 when I was a young lawyer. She had just graduated from high school the year before so our paths didn’t cross but the attorneys who coached her and other teams were still coaching at the time and her performances were apparently fantastic. I am not 100% sure but I believe during at least one of the years she participated Harpeth Hall may have won the TN competition and represented TN in the National competition. Because of all of this that is what I think of every time I see this movie. In my head I envision her in the mock trial competitions. LOL

Fun fact: Oz Perkins, director of excellent indie horror film The Blackcoat’s Daughter and son of Anthony Perkins, helps Elle get a book from a high shelf in the star vehicle montage which she then reciprocates later when he is rejected by a rude girl he is attempting to ask out.

thanks for reacting to this, it made my day!!

Legally Blonde is one of my comfort films. I put it on when I'm in a sour mood and by the end, I'm instantly happier. If you can get your hands on a copy of the DVD with the commentary, I highly recommend it. They have such great insight and fun little BTS bits that I think you'll love. I also have a deep appreciation for the musical (I'm a theater kid), so to hear that you'd heard most of it just brought a huge smile to my face. You can compare the two and say that one does certain things better over the other, but I think they both do well as what they are, and to me they're both essential watches. The Legally Blonde musical was filmed for a special for MTV and you can *probably* still find it on RU-vid, if you want to give the actual production a watch! It's SO good.

Great reaction. Legally Blonde is terrific.

I never had any interest in watching this movie until one day I was board, had nothing to do and thought, 'screw it.' and watched it. It really is a good movie, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.

I googled the passing requirements for the LSATs. 175 is just passing and 180 is a perfect score-so there's only a 5 point margin for that test

I love that you had such a great time!

love how much you love this

You have a great sense of humor and I have never not smiled from something you said in a video. Great laugh too.

The girl that plays Brooke Taylor she was on Final Destination 1 and 2

Need to see Election with Reece and Matthew Broderick, its like the prequel to this character!

I like how this movie demonstrates any tidbit of information can be useful.

Excellent. Thank you. Love the pace of this movie.

OH! When I was a truck driver, I brokedown in at our terminal in Richmond, VA. They put me up in hotel in Chester, VA, and I met a Linda Cardellini clone that was bartending at the "I Don't Know" Sports Bar. I opened the bar at 11 am and I stayed til 630 pm. ran up an $80 bar/food tab and she sat with me at the bar when slow to show me all the old country music that she liked which I loved. I tipped her $100 and got her phone number and she stopped by motel room (I gave her the room # if she was interested) and she came by! T?hats as far as Im going with the story..if u get my drift. lol

I appreciate how women sit through movies for guys much more now. I would not have made it through without this kind of first watch format. Thanks Shanelle

Your little giggle is so infectious 🥺 This was a great reaction thank you

I’m a fan of the musical as well and was playing the songs in my head at the moments that match up, especially the one where she wins her case in class, I had “Chip on Your Shoulder” in my head

I'm a 33 year old overweight bearded straight male. I love this film, it's brilliant :)

I love your reaction! One of the best Legally Blonde movie reactions!

I really think that an underappreciated storyline here is that people just don’t take Elle seriously. It’s said again and again, from the proposal, the chat with her parents, with Warner at the party, and with Emmett and Paulette at the end. People usually take away the whole “don’t judge a book” message, but this movie is really about Elle learning to stop caring that people don’t take her seriously and to take herself seriously without sacrificing what makes her unique (like changing back to her colorful wardrobe at the end).

last 20 minutes - pure perfection!

all of it...the best, review, comments, opinions....i cannot wait to see more. i looooooove this one, thank you and keep doing what you do...many of us love ur reactions.

Your reaction at 26:28 with the Perm is the exact reaction my mom and I had. Just louder. My dad looked at us and went 'What? What happened?!'

You brought a new approach to me about this movie. Did not appreciate the writing before. Thanks!

Though I'm just watching this for the first time in August 2023, and this I hope (I am autistic) "reads" as the compliment I completely mean as ... you should be cast in any production of "Hairspray" because you look like the younger sister of BOTH Rikki Lake & Nikki Blonsky. Plus, since I live in Baltimore, I want to hear you sing "Good Morning Baltimore!" Love your reactions. You give me "Julia Roberts - Jules Potter" to my "Rupert Everett - George" vibes. A 100% totally cool "nice girl" chick in my eyes!!

I really enjoyed your reaction. Good insight. There is more movie here than it appears at a glance. It really does hold up. Keep it up.

I love your reactions!

My fave Reese movie is still "Election"

I love old people. Just like small children, they have no filter. No PC for grandma, she speaks her mind 😂

This movie is one of my guilty pleasures. I normally love to watch historical type movies, but some candy is good once in a while! BTW, I highly recommend "The Best Years of Our Lives"

This type of movie has never been in my wheelhouse, but you shepherded me through it and showed me the error of my ways. I think your commentary was better than the movie itself. Thanks!

I saw this when it came out on vhs. This movie spent the first 15 minutes setting itself up as a stereotypical comedy and the remaining hour tearing those stereotypes down and stomping then into the dirt. And I goddamn LOVE it. I was so inundated with those girl VS girl/dumb blondes/etc attitudes in media that it was not like a breath of fresh air so much as it was like being transported to a lakeside cabin on a mountain surrounded by miles of forest and experiencing an entries world full of fresh air. I'm so happy to have gotten to see you experience it for the first time, from past movies, as soon as I saw the title I knew you would fully and knowledgeable appreciate this movie for everything that makes it great. Welcome to the sisterhood of Legally Blonde fans!

When Elle says "me!" It reminds me of what she looked like/her character in Election

Such a fun movie to watch over & over. Thx&see ya😁