Really Surprised!

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

By now most of you probably know (or noticed) I'm not a big comedy fan, as I generally don't find them funny. (I refuse point blank to watch spoofs like Scary Movie, Meet the Spartans, etc). I must admit, though, I enjoyed this film more than anticipated. Maybe mostly thanks to Sandra Bullock's naturally funny acting. Maybe because Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actresses (just not in 'Murder by Numbers', where she ruined the film in my opinion!). I also immensely enjoyed Michael Caine in this film. The interesting-ish plot was wonderfully done, me thinks. I did find Sandra's bad girl impression a bit forced, as it doesn't really suit her, but the 'transformation' was fun to watch. The whole set-up of Candice Bergen's character together with her son's evil plot was a bit silly, though, and not really believable. It could have been done so much better. Oh, and I loved Bosson's version of 'One in a million' at the pagaent! Beautiful song.

Fitfully funny romp that suffers from slack direction, sloppy script, and transparent female lead. Sharper editing might have made up for director's lack of comic timing, but there is no finesse for Sandra Bullock's ham-fisted attempt at comedy. It's one of those feel-good-about- everyone movies that first offends and then takes it all back in predictably lumpy finale. Should have been a lot funnier than it is, and compares badly with similarly themed Legally Blonde, a feminist movie with real charm and wit. For genuinely amusing and incisive look at beauty pageant industry, check out Michael Ritchie's 1975 film: Smile.

Sandra Bullock just plays this cardboard cutout tough character to the hilt..does she think she's a boy with girl's clothes on? No subtleties in this cartoon-like scenario. They show a closeup of her eating red steak with a beer like she's a female werewolf or something. She's a judo defense expert but can't balance herself to wear high heels..well..funny, but not over again too often and it doesn't make sense. William Shatner shows up as the contest emcee. He's surprisingly youthful considering he retired from Star Trek and doesn't do very many films or TV shows anymore. Too many clues are handed out ahead of time about the real villain..Candace Bergen, the former beauty queen who runs the Miss U.S. pageant. Why not keep it a surprise? We're even clued in to where the bomb is hiding and the plans for it but no one bothers to tell Gracie. She still instantly knows to rush over and save the winner the last minute before detonation. The film is overlong and would make a better sitcom like Family Ties that writer Marc Lawrence also scripted.

All right, I admit it. I really admire Sandra Bullock.Heck! I even added her to my Blockbuster Video account (back when there was a Blockbuster Video) as an authorized user, just in case she ever wanted to rent a movie and didn't have any cash on hand.Miss Congeniality is typical "Fish-out-of-Water" comedy, with one big difference. They happened to have cast the perfect person to play the "Fish", and the resulting film surpasses all other films of the same entertaining format.Her down-to-earth attitude, sharp wit, good looks, physical and acting skills pulls off this role as no other actress could have done.A perfect example of what happens when making a movie, any type of movie, when everything and everyone meshes together.If you ever what to just sit down, relax, escape your own troubles and just enjoy the next couple of hours, watch this movie.