Critics Divided Over Reese Witherspoon's 'Legally Blonde' Prequel 'Elle'

The reviews are rolling in for Prime Video's latest venture into the Legally Blonde universe, and the critical reception is decidedly mixed.

The streaming series, which launches on July 1, centers on Elle Woods during her high school years, exploring the formative experiences that would eventually shape her into the character audiences know from the original film. Reese Witherspoon, who starred in the iconic movies, serves as an executive producer on the project.

Lexi Minetree takes on the role of young Elle, alongside supporting players including June Diane Raphael, Tom Everett Scott, Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker.

Currently sitting at a 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has sparked considerable debate among reviewers. The Daily Beast found the show "crushingly derivative and makes no sense in terms of the franchise's timeline," while TheWrap lamented that where the original Legally Blonde was "fun, fresh and brilliantly paced," the series feels "dour, boring and tedious."

Collider awarded it 5 out of 10, suggesting that while a second season might offer an opportunity to improve, the prequel "trades almost exclusively in nostalgia" rather than delivering something fresh. TVLine called it "an uninspired piece of IP nostalgia bait that is mostly harmless — but pretty forgettable, too."

IndieWire's D+ grade came with particular frustration: "A Legally Blonde series that doesn't make sense as a prequel is one thing. But a Legally Blonde series that doesn't take itself seriously as a comedy or as a source of inspiration? I object!" Radio Times gave it 2 out of 5 stars, describing it as "a movie spin-off full of potential but TV this bland should be illegal."

Not all critics were dismissive. NME awarded 4 out of 5 stars, writing that Elle's world operates on "the power of optimism, a wisecrack and a shared love of Chanel," calling it "an arresting watch" despite its lack of legal storylines. Metro's 3 out of 5 rating highlighted the show's success in depicting Elle's personal growth and increasing confidence. Screen Rant gave it 7 out of 10, noting that "those who can get past the pilot and the canon problems will be rewarded with a lighthearted, bingeable series."

The New York Post offered a more upbeat take, describing the series as "fun, energetic and hits all the right notes."

Witherspoon and Minetree coordinated in pink while attending the show's world premiere in New York City.