Sex and the City 2
146 minutes, M
4/5
Some unkind reviewers have suggested Sex and the City 2 inspired a new name for the term "jumping the shark" - "riding the camel". Unfortunately I find myself having to agree with them.
As a diehard fan of SATC - I've watched each episode
at least twice and thoroughly enjoyed the first movie - SATC2 was hotly anticipated. I entered the cinema with an excited smile, which soon felt plastered on as I tried hard not to be disappointed.
The start of the film was downright bizarre, as the gals celebrated Stanford (Willie Garson) Blatch and Anthony's (Mario Cantone) wedding.
The banter between the characters felt forced, but the worst part is a 'where did that come from' moment in which Liza Minnelli sings Beyonce's All The Single Ladies.
As the gals dance along to Liza - Carrie wearing crimped hair and a tuxedo - the dread set in. This is going to be baaaaad.
In another bizarre plot twist, the girls take a junket to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. They ride camels, drink cocktails, and make friends with women in burqas. Myself, I would have much rather seen more of the girls swanning around Manhattan.
The dialogue lacked the wit of the series - Samantha's lewd lines come across as rude and with little or no humour at all.
But at least there was still the emotional dramas we have come to know and love from the television series and the best parts of the movie come from just this.
Carrie and Big have teething problems settling into their marriage, Miranda has hit the glass ceiling at work, and Charlotte is struggling to fit her definition of the perfect mother.
Of course, through their friendship, they get through these problems. And it's these very real moments which prevent the movie from being a total flop.
That and, of course, the fashion. From Carrie's purple tutu to Samantha's red carpet faux-pas with Miley Cyrus, there's plenty to marvel over.
No matter what the reviews say, SATC fans will still flock to this movie. And gals, you'll still enjoy it, especially if you've had a Cosmo or two.
