Good news for my fellow fans of 1995's tongue-in-cheek movie masterpiece "Clueless". Although the powder pink tale of Beverly Hills bimbo Cher isn't likely to ever have a sequel proper, any cravings for another slice of airhead Americana can be well and truly satisfied with the release of its unofficial big sister, "Legally Blonde".

Starring the brilliantly bubbly Reese Witherspoon, "Legally Blonde" tells the tale of sorority queen Elle (Cher in all but name), who switches her focus from a fashion course in California to studying law at Harvard after the ex she can't forget enrols at the legendary school. But if fluffy Elle found the entrance exams tough (she had to, like, read books), then discovering not all her legal colleagues share her taste in clothes, Cosmo and calorie-watching is even tougher.

But just don't get Reese and her on-screen ditz princess persona mixed up. Witherspoon's career-making cheerleader shtick masks a real life degree in literature and the originality to turn down a scream queen role in "Urban Legend" for the edgier "Election". There's also the production company (she's 25, repeat... 25) and the forthcoming acting about-turn as she ventures into action, playing kick-ass private eye Honey West. But bigger than all that, she's got the subtlety to make prissy Elle not just laughable but also lovable.

So I'm not gonna pull any punches. Reese Witherspoon is the future of Hollywood. She's Julia Roberts without the ever-changing boyfriends, Drew Barrymore without the teen drug problem, and Alicia Silverstone without the string of flops. And with "Legally Blonde",Ë she proves to have the head-screwed-on wits about her to realise that great films can have great sequels - even when they have nothing to do with each other.

Tune into The Movie Lounge with James King on Radio 1 three times a week - Thursday 7.20pm on Dave Pearce, Tuesday 9:15pm on Steve Lamacq, and Saturday 2.10pm on Nemone.