'Bridget Jones’s Baby is a bundle of joy': Critics deliver largely positive reviews of third instalment of Renee Zellweger franchise
News of a third Bridget Jones movie was received with some trepidation by fans worried that the 12 year gap between films would leave Renee Zellweger's now-middle aged diarist struggling to match her 2001 hilarity.
But Bridget's latest escapades have largely gone down a storm with critics, with one even describing it as 'a bundle of joy'.
The Daily Mail's Brian Viner described the movie, which premiered in London on Sunday night, as 'a worthy completion of the trilogy –assuming it is to stay a trilogy, and that we are not likely to assemble again one day for Bridget Jones’s Dentures.'
She's back: Renee Zellweger stars alongside Colin Firth and newbie Patrick Demsey in Bridget Jones's Baby which has largely gone down well with critics
He also roundly praised Renee's performance, saying: 'As for Zellweger, whose looks and love life have been subjected to even more intense scrutiny than Bridget’s over the years, she rises admirably to the challenge of playing her most famous character in middle age.'
'If the first film, Bridget Jones's Diary was a smash, and its sequel The Edge Of Reason a holding piece, here we have a laughathon,' added the Daily Mirror's critic David Edwards.
Digital Spy's Rosie Fletcher was more uncertain of Bridget's direction, bemoaning her 'aspirational' new slant.
Big return: Renee Zellweger at Sunday night's Bridget Jones's Baby premiere
Dear diary: The new movie sees Renee's Bridget deal with middle age
'Sure, "new Bridget" falls face down in the mud, has awkward sex, and - yes, gets trapped in a glass revolving door with two blokes, either of whom could be the father of her kid - but it's not the same,' she writes.
'Suddenly she's become aspirational, not inspirational. She's a gorgeous, wealthy(ish), media-type with two near-perfect men head-over-heels for her.'
Across the pond, reviews were mixed, with The Hollywood Reporter's Leslie Felperin musing: 'If nothing else, Bridget Jones's Baby can bask in the glory of being a less dismal than usual reboot of an aging franchise.'
A bundle of joy: Bridget's latest escapades have largely won praise from the critics
Supporting cast: Emma Thompson is just one of the stars who won plaudits from critics for her role as Dr Rawlings
While Variety's Catherine Bray said: 'It's not a comedy for the ages, but it’s interesting to see a rom-com starring a middle-aged woman grappling with irrelevance in the workplace.'
The movie sees Bridget working as a news producer, with awards under her belt and a more balanced approach to life than in the previous two movies.
However, her life is about to be turned upside down once again, as she discovers she's pregnant.
And Bridget is unsure whether the father of the child is the faithful Mark Darcy, (Colin Firth), or the dashing American Jack Qwant, played by Grey’s Anatomy’s Doctor McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey).
Bridget Jones’s Baby hits cinemas on September 16
- Bridget Jones's Baby review - Renée Zellweger is in charge of Bridget in third film
- Bridget Jones's Baby review: Zellweger excels in fun romp heavy with expectation | Film | The Guardian
- 'Bridget Jones's Baby': Film Review | Hollywood Reporter
- Bridget Jones¿ Baby review: Note to self - make sure you watch this at all costs - David Edwards - Mirror Online
- Bridget Jones's Baby Review | Movie - Empire
- ¿Bridget Jones¿s Baby¿ Review: A Likable Return for Renee Zellweger | Variety
- Bridget Jones Baby World Premiere 2016: It's not a Bridget too far for Renee Zellweger
- Bridget Jones' Baby review: The movie is packed with belly laughs, but it's just not *our* Bridget
- Bridget Jones¿s Baby, film review: A very welcome return for a character who hasn't lost her neurotic charm | The Independent
- Bridget Jones's Baby review | GamesRadar+
- Bridget Jones's Baby review
Most watched News videos
- All choked up! Hillary Clinton is caught up in a marathon...
- Kanye West faces furious backlash after putting out casting...
- Playboy model who mocked pensioner's body at the gym is set...
- Heartbreak for Florida grandmother, 65, told to tear down...
- Legendary former Apple engineer, 54, is REJECTED for a job...
- Village where one in 10 residents live to be 100 says the...
- Is this proof that China is arming North Korea? Missiles...
- Pit bull savages a tiny beagle in front of its owner who...
- Driver, 20, who pulled up in an SUV and 'shot a 13-year-old...
- Obama gives Putin his best death stare: Tense moment the...
- NYC teacher, 23, breaks her back after plunging off a 150ft...
- The final resting place of U576: German U-Boat is found 30...