20 Recent Movie Sequels We Were ALL Wrong About
8. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Even many die-hard Bridget Jones fans were nervous about last year's fourth film, Mad About the Boy, given that the novel on which it's based received hugely mixed reviews.
Between that and the overpowering feeling that the series had simply run its course, it was easy to assume that this was nothing more than a tossed-off paycheck for everyone involved.
But credit where it's due - Mad About the Boy went on to receive the best reviews of the series, for its unexpectedly affecting portrayal of middle-aged grief and Zellweger's excellent performance in the lead role.
Though the decision to kill off Bridget's husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) remains hugely polarising, the easy consensus is that Mad About the Boy was a best case scenario in terms of translating a polarising novel to the big screen with some welcome adjustments.
That said, it's probably for the best if the franchise bows out here on this most unexpected high.