You'll miss the real Bridget

We all know that sequels rarely measure up to their predecessors and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is no exception.

Most women who read the book or saw the movie Bridget Jones's Diary loved their encounter with this 30-something, career-minded, calorie-counting woman. Relating to Bridget was easy because we recognised a little of ourselves.

Bridget was an anomaly at the movies - she was real. She didn't have the perfect body, home or habits and she didn't always say the right thing or act in the most appropriate way.

Jones' charm lies in the fact that she seems to be able to smile her way through almost anything. She makes a fool of herself, laughs it off and moves on.

Yes, her sense of humour was one of her best attributes. But being in love seems to have dimmed Bridget's wit and made her neurotic and clingy.

This sequel takes up from where Bridget Jones's Diary left off. Dashing Mark Darcy (Firth) and Bridget have been dating for six weeks - or "71 ecstatic shags". Bridget can't help but tell everyone her boyfriend is a human rights lawyer, and she can't help but call him every five minutes.

But as the relationship hits the two-month mark, Bridget's insecurities convince her Darcy is having an affair with his beautiful young intern.

Bridget's permanently single friends offer her ridiculous, cliched advice which she, for some reason, takes - and before you know it she's on her own again. Sound frustrating? It is.

Otherwise it's the same old gags with the same old people, but there are a few new destinations - a skiing trip to the Alps has Bridget hilariously out of control on the slopes and I had tears running down my cheeks.

And inspired by the film The Beach, best friend Shazza and Bridget head for Thailand where they try magic mushrooms, Shazza has an affair with a drug dealer and Bridget has a brief encounter with the devilishly naughty Daniel Cleaver (Grant).

The holiday reaches its nadir when Bridget is arrested at the airport for drug trafficking. She gets to experience prison, but makes the most of the time by teaching her fellow prisoners Madonna songs.

It's amusing enough, but instead of delivering the old Bridget we love and relate to, the film-makers have turned her into a caricature of herself.

Here, she can't say anything right, do anything right or turn up anywhere looking normal.