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List Price: $27.98 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 126709
Released: March 15, 2005 |
| Our Price: $15.99 |
| Used Price: $11.53 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
DVD Features:
Additional Scenes
Other:CD SOUNDTRACK
Description of Miss Congeniality - The Deluxe Edition + Miss Congeniality 2 CD Soundtrack:
It's a good thing Sandra Bullock knows her strengths and weaknesses, because without Bullock as star and producer, Miss Congeniality would be an insufferable mess as opposed to being a mildly enjoyable trifle that is custom-made for Bullock's established screen persona. Only Bullock's fans could really appreciate this fluff (even then they'll wish its ripe premise had been more intelligently handled), but it's not without some highlights to accompany Bullock's reliable charms. Here she plays clumsy, nerdy FBI agent Gracie Hart, who is given the horrific pseudonym Gracie Lou Freebush (one example of the movie's juvenile tendencies) when assigned to infiltrate a beauty pageant to investigate threats of a terrorist attack.
Transforming Bullock from frumpy to stunning is a piece of cake (although she gives pageant coach Michael Caine a run for his money), so the movie's premise is trivial at best. More enjoyable is her character's uncouth disdain for pageant contestants and her mistaken perception that they're all a bunch of bimbos. The movie nicely charts Gracie's realization that her own pageant makeover provides a much-needed ego boost. In addition to Caine's effortless scene-stealing, pageant host William Shatner and organizer Candice Bergen are smart choices for comedic support (Shatner's a perfect Bert Parks wannabe), but the movie desperately needs a credible foundation for its comedy to really pay off. Bullock's bureau boss (Benjamin Bratt) is an unconvincing dimwit, and none of the plotting is as smart as say Beverly Hills Cop in combining procedure with laughs. That leaves Bullock to carry the burden of a comedy that just barely works in her favor. --Jeff Shannon
Miss Congeniality - The Deluxe Edition + Miss Congeniality 2 CD Soundtrack Reviews:
Dare You Not To Laugh--------------- 
2009-12-17 - Film snobs, take note: not every director sets out to make The Great American Masterpiece of Film...sometimes they just want to make a movie---something fun, that they like, that people will want to see, and will make a profit in the process. This movie succeeds mightily. Sandra Bullock has honed the Lovable Klutz to near-perfection, and so what if she's done it before? Nobody does it better. The script moves along at a brisk pace, and there are so many funny moments that I dare you not to remember some of them with a chuckle (or Gracie's snort.) The players blend well, with Benjamin Bratt and Miss Bullock exuding a neat chemistry. Candice Bergen----a treasure unto herself, who could carry the movie with her comedy talents alone---gamely gives support as the not-to-be-trifled-with pageant coordinator. William Shatner continues his successful campaign to make us forget he ever piloted a starship: and frankly, he's very funny as a clueless Bert Parks clone. And then, there's Michael Caine, who can do very little wrong----here,he plays straight man (so to speak)and his efforts to make a lady out of a Bullock-in-a-china-shop result in some very funny scenes....and several quotable quotes. ("One brief, shining moment...and then that MOUTH !") Check it out...you'll have a great time at the Movies.
Funny movie, plays well 
2009-11-28 - I purchased this DVD for my mother who was unable to find it locally. I watched it first to make sure it was play all the way through. I did this, gave it to Mom and she was pleased.
A Congenially Good Time!
2009-05-28 - Sandra Bullock shines as FBI agent, Gracie Hart, a clumsy Jersey girl whose penchant for standing up to bullies dates back to when she was a kid on the playground(Mary Ashleigh Green).
We are introduced to the adult Gracie as she botches an undercover operation at a Russian restaurant, much to the dismay of her partner, Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt), and facing a subsequent reprimand from her boss, FBI Assistant Director, Harry McDonald (Ernie Hudson).
Despite Hart's cock-up, Agent Matthews is selected to put together his own team to work on a case that takes them to the Miss United States Pageant in San Antonio, Texas, where they must quell a situation of potential domestic terrorism.
They meet with Pageant Director, Kathy Mornigside (a cooly refined yet comically sinister Candace Bergen) and her co-host Stan Fields(William Shatner), who turn Gracie, who will go undercover as Miss New Jersey, over to pageant consultant Victor Melling(a sophisticated and sarcastic Michael Caine), who reluctantly grooms the unrefined Hart for her new role within the few days he has to complete the task.
Under Victor's guidance, Gracie comes out looking like a contestant, but she still stumbles periodically.
Arriving for the orientation luncheon, she is quickly befriended by Miss Rhode Island, Cheryl Frasier(Heather Burns), as well as Miss Texas Mary Jo Wright (Deirdre Quinn), Miss New York, Karen Krantz (Melissa De Sousa), Miss California, Leslie Davis( Wendy Raquel Robinson), and Miss Hawaii, Alana Krewson(Asia De Marcos), while struggling to keep her cover.
We follow the agents through the welcoming banquets, rehearsals, Gracie's antagonistic coaching sessions with Victor, friendly encounters with Cheryl and the aforementioned contestants as Gracie helps boost Cheryl's occasionally waning self esteem, aggravation from Kathy's assistant Frank Tobin(Steve Monroe), mysterious threats from Kathy, nights out on the town with the girls, the improvisation of Gracie's talent performance(much to Eric's physical detriment), and misleading evidence before all is resolved, and despite nearly blowing her cover,we see Hart's gut instincts vindicated.
But in just that brief time, we see Gracie Hart grow as a person, gaining a few grateful friends along the way.
Viewers are in for a light and lively good time when watching this modern Cinderella story, and they'll find themselves cheering for the underdog, and for World Peace.
Cinderella meets the FBI
2009-05-18 - This is a really funny movie. Sandra Bullock plays a "Cinderella" FBI agent and is perfect for the role. The supporting cast are "over the top" but that just adds to the enjoyment. If you are in the mood for a light comedy, you won't go wrong here. Shakespeare it's not, but entertaining it is.
Hilarious comedy of the ugly duckling turning into a swan
2009-01-22 - FBI agent Gracie Hart (played by the fantastic Sandra Bullock) is a real tomboy. In her own words, "I don't own a dress, I don't even own a brush". Yet when a letter comes from a serial criminal calling himself The Citizen, threatening the Miss United States pageant, FBI Agent Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt) must find an undercover female field agent under thirty-five who looks good in a bikini and isn't on Maternity Leave. His only choice boils down to Hart, who's violently reluctant to take the assignment. She becomes Miss New Jersey, the FBI finding out and ready to expose the original winner because of her appearance in an "adult film".
They notify the pageant director Kathy Morningside (Candice Bergan) and pageant Master Of Ceremonies Stan Fields (William Shatner) to assist them in fixing the pageant so that undercover Gracie makes it into the top 5. But Gracie needs a lot of polish before taking on the assignment. Kathy Morningside puts Matthews and Hart in touch with Victor Melling (the amazing Michael Caine) who is a long time, respected pageant consultant. Victor has only 24 hours to make tomboy Gracie into a beauty queen. Miraculously, Victor accomplishes his task, muttering to himself, "My God, I'm good!".
Once undercover, Gracie discovers that both Stan Fields and Kathy Morningside have been fired, the pageant wanting to cater to a younger audience and use younger public figures. When the DNA evidence suggests a woman licked the Citizen's envelope, Gracie suspects Kathy Morningside. But the Citizen is caught halfway through the pageant, and FBI director MacDonald (Ernie Hudson) wants to pull all the agents off the case. Grace refuses, knowing deep down that something is wrong and the girls are in danger. She continues alone, without her badge and gun, to capture whoever it is threatening the girls; who've gotten underneath her tough exterior and become her friends.
The cast of 'Miss Congeniality' is what makes the movie such a success. Bullock and Caine work well together, each delivering superb performances. The humor is light and frequent, so the show keeps you laughing all the way through. This is one of my favorite comedies, being a hardcore Sandra Bullock fan. It's very difficult to make Sandra Bullock "ugly", and the decision to go with "tomboy" instead worked very well. "Where am I going to put my gun?" Gracie asks, after finally accepting the assignment, and being told she HAS to wear the bathing suit. "Nowhere I want to know about," answers Matthews.
A little piece of trivia from the IMDB database: the dress that Sandra Bullock wore when she's coming out of the hanger was made out of rubber bands; when it was off, the whole dress fit in the palm of her hand. Sexy! This is a hilariously funny movie with a sweet touch of innocence, yet it manages not to become saccharine. It's a great pick-me-up if you're feeling blue. Even though I'm a horror movie buff, you have to cater to your lighter side every so often. I highly recommend this movie; it's definitely worth a purchase. Enjoy!
