Sex And The City 2

Sex And The City 2
Year: 2010
Director: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall

In My Own Words
I am a big “Sex And The City” fan from way back. I’ve always believed that there is so much more to the television series than what people take at face value. In one of my first year English subjects, I wrote an essay about what “Sex And The City” really represents. I believe that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are all extremes of a woman’s personality, which is one of the reasons why the show was so popular among women. Women always saw themselves in these characters and in their situations, hence the attraction to the show. I always heard people say “Oh these “Sex And The City” girls are so promiscuous” (that’s a nicer word for what they really said), but the situations the girls got themselves in were not meant to be taken literally. The situations are representations of basically everything that can happen while a girl is single, dating or married. I know for a fact that I watched many episodes and it was like déjà vu at times. The other attractions of “Sex And The City”? The fashion and New York obviously! The place where dreams are made in clothes which the majority of us can only dream of owning!

When the lights went down, I got a tingle of excitement knowing that I would be seeing my favourite four girls on the screen again. That excitement eventually turned to boredom. I know I have said it before, but some sequels just do not need to be made. Unfortunately, this is one of them. I was highly anticipating this sequel, but I was also anticipating it to be a dud. Such a shame considering “Sex And The City” is one of my all-time favourite television shows. For once, what I anticipated was correct. What a dud. Nothing new, everything, with the exception of Abu Dhabi, has been seen before in the series. When thinking of “Sex And The City” in the future, I think I will be trying to disregard this film and imagining that it all finished after the first film.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
The “Sex And The City 2” poster reads “Carrie On” when it should say “Carrie On....And On....And On...And On”. That is the way the “Sex And The City” phenomenon seems to be going thanks to director, Michael Patrick King. Did he really want to make a sequel to a TV show’s first film, or did he just see an opportunity to keep the franchise going and pull in more money? No doubt it will make the money, as it already has, but fans will be severely disappointed. The movie itself seems to go on...and on...and on, exactly like the franchise. It is way too long for a film where not much really happens and everything which does happen has already happened in “Sex And The City”. The film picks up 2 years after the last film finished, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is still married to Big (Chris Noth), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is still married to Steve (David Eigenberg), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is still married to Harry (Evan Handler) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is still prowling the town as a single woman. They all still have their own problems in the relationships, and when Samantha suggests a trip to Abu Dhabi all catered for, they jump at the chance. Abu Dhabi brings new luxuries, but also new problems for the girls.

Most television shows that are made into movies are accused of being just like three episodes back to back, and this is no exception. There is no firm plot and what plot there is, is extremely weak. The 140 minute length of the film is way too long for a film where not much happens. Like the television series, there are some situations the foursome find themselves in where female members of the audience will again find themselves relating to, and this is what will save the film for many audience members. The script is also very weak. There are some moments which will provoke a giggle and others that are just annoying as they are so obviously supposed to be funny and just not. The film itself just seems too over the top, predictable and unrealistic at times. While we are supposed to sigh and be in awe at the sight of the Abu Dhabi hotel, we roll our eyes instead. Sure there are some amazing views of both Abu Dhabi and New York (a lot less of New York than we would like to see), but even the fashion isn’t as breathtaking as what it should be. This will perhaps be the biggest let down to the fashionistas out there.

As for the acting, Kristin Davis is by far the best out of the four. She still has what it takes to keep the adorable Charlotte adorable and real. And what makes the most difference, is that she still keeps the character real. Charlotte is the only character in the film who has seemed to keep evolving, although her situation with her children does seem to mirror Miranda’s situation with Brady in earlier times. Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda is extremely annoying at times, a far cry for the Miranda we used to know and love. Her character also has the least amount of film time. Kim Cattrall’s Samantha is the same old Samantha. Still cracking the same jokes, which are still as amusing as ever. Sarah Jessica Parker, as she once was in the series, is guilty of over-acting , but she is forgiven as that was always what Carrie was all about. Carrie is perhaps the least likable she ever has been in this film. At times you want to just slap her across the face for being so stupid, but is that just another representation of a female quality? Do we all want to just slap ourselves across the face at times? Or has Carrie Bradshaw just taken her last bow?

In situations such as this, one would normally say that “Sex And The City 2” is only for die-hard fans of the show. However, this is not the case. Fans will be disappointed at the lack of emotion, silliness and over-exaggeration of the film. There is still some fun to be had, but nothing like the television show or the first movie. People who did not like the show should avoid this film at all costs. As a stand alone film it fails miserably. As a sequel, it just fails. The best part of the film comes in the first 10 minutes and may be the sole reason for watching “Sex And The City 2”, Liza Minnelli doing “Single Ladies”. She’s still got it!
3.5/10