Review by Barnaby Walter
Sarah Jessica Parker and crew return in this sparkly, shoe-filled sequel to the 2008 box-office sensation; itself a spin-off from the hit TV series. However, where the first film married comedy with substance, this movie only achieves often hilarious, but somewhat thin, laughs and relationship difficulties.
It’s a shame, as the first movie was really very good, and managed to feel like a whole feature instead of five television episodes stitched together. This is the issue with S&TheC 2. Too many comic sketch-like moments and not enough story or emotional core. After a rather sweet, but typically over the top, gay wedding scene (including a painfully embarrassing cameo from has-been Liza Minnelli), relationship columnist Carrie Bradshaw (SJ Parker) takes off with her friends to Abu Dhabi for three weeks in the sun. Although the aim is to leave behind marriage problems (Carrie and Mr Big are not gelling together completely as planned), Carries stumbles upon a handsome ex-boyfriend which may cause her “past to wreck her future”.
Any emotional insight into the characters is lost amongst condescending and borderline-xenophobic humour (Kim Cattrall’s Samantha has trouble abiding by the strict public-displays-of-affection rules in the Abu Dhabi). Kristin Davis tries her best in the underwritten role of neurotic mother-of-two Charlotte, but isn’t as short changed as Cynthia Nixon, whose character Miranda feels more like an afterthought than one of the main gang.
It isn’t all bad though, as Carrie’s fresh, bright and occasionally risqué views on life win through, making the film feel more like a light treat than an overall failure. This second venture wasn’t a mistake, but it’s certainly not the best writer/director Michael Patrick King is capable of.
Sex and the City 2 is out in cinemas now, Certificate 15. A Blu-ray and DVD release is planned for Autumn/Winter 2010.
my favorite character in Sex and The City is always Samantha.;’