As a huge fan of the Sex and the City television show, there was no doubt in my mind I would be seeing the sequel that opened recently. In fact, I was so excited to see it, I made sure I would be there on opening day. That's big for me, there are not a lot of movies I go out of my way to see on opening night.
Against my better judgment I read the reviews before the movie came out. Most of the reviews said it was a stinker, but like any true fan, I was going no matter what. I tried explaining it to my male co-worker like this: It's like Indiana Jones or Star Wars movies for guys. You know it is never going to be as good as the original but you have to go just so you can see what happens. Plus, I have never been a huge believer in reviews because most of the time I strongly disagree with them.
Sadly this was not one of those times. Now now ladies, put down the pitchforks and hear me out. I will narrow it down to a couple of points on why I was not impressed (some spoilers will be needed) and for fun I will add on why I was impressed... That way you guys will still be my friends.
1. Where's the love for the city?
In the tv show Carrie had 2 great constant (keyword: constant) loves: Her love for her girlfriends Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha and her love for the New York City. I remember specifically a quote from the show where Carrie says: "If Louis was right, and you only get one great love, then New York may just be mine...and I can't have nobody talkin' shit about my boyfriend." Well honey, where the heck is your boyfriend in this movie?
2. Who are these women?
In my opinion the reason why Sex and the City has such a following is that in every episode, no matter how outlandish the subject was, there was always something that every women could relate too. It didn't have the be the main plot of the episode but there was always a little something. We have all had that one love that was always out of reach, or been broken up with harshly (though hopefully no one by post-it), and we have all sat there with a bunch of girlfriends and wondered what the hell was going on with that certain someone in our life. Unfortunately, SATC2 misses the boat on this one. The connection is gone. I read a review that stated the ladies had all become caricatures of their former selves which amused me because weren't they all originally caricatures of modern day woman already? Now, I can see what the review meant after watching the movie.
3. Who needs a plot line when you have Camels?
I remember my heart actually hurting for Carrie when she realized Big wasn't showing up to marry her. I remember it hurting even more watching her pummel him with her perfect bouquet of flowers and yes, and I even remember thinking "what the hell is on her head" when she revealed herself on her wedding day, but this movie had no real emotion attached to it. Don't get me wrong, I cringed when her and Aidan kissed but mostly because I couldn't see why she would want to kiss Aidan when not only does she finally have everything she ever wanted, but she had cheated on Aidan WITH Big during the tv series.
It has just dawned on me that I could go on for days and days about my likes and dislikes, but since we all have jobs and no one is sending us on an all expense paid trip to Abu Dhabi, here's the cliff-notes version:
Oh-La-La (I likey!)
The Fashion.
Yes, the clothes are over the top, lavish, rich and outlandish and none of us would wear half of it, but it really was something to marvel at.
Big and Carries House
It was neat to see what happens when their two worlds collided in Home Goods. It was perfectly suited to both of them (good job Carrie!)
Sight for Sore Eyes.
From the rare glimpse of New York, the breathtaking Abu Dhabi, the fashion, and even the women's houses, each scene is very visually appealing.
That's Big.
Big managed to stay true to character throughout the tv series, the first movie and all the way through the sequel. He has never been the "lets go out all the time/or look at me" guy, no matter how much Carrie has tried to force him for years now and still isn't.
Laugh-out-Loud (or as the kids would say "LOL")
Samantha's caricature throwing condoms at the Arab men (of course her ass should have been stoned but it was amusing nonetheless.)
"Take a sip." Anthem from women everywhere on the verge of a breakdown with a with a cocktail in hand .
--Insert Cringe Here--
Samantha's "Lawrence of my labia" line. And most of her scenes with "Lawrence."
All of Carries nagging. I would want a weekly break from her too..
The Gay Wedding. And not because it was a gay wedding, but because the acting was horrible. It was awkward and felt like none of the characters had ever acted together. C'mon! You guys have had 6 seasons and a movie together before this..
Charlotte's camel toe. We all know I love a good camel toe reference but it seemed so obvious.
The whole Arabic women/undercover fashionista scene. Total filler.
Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte singing "I am Woman" in a karaoke bar with the random woman standing up, high fiving, fist pumping, and yelling "I am woman!" seemed a little too "Legally Blonde" cheesy to me. Plus, I can think of a million other more suited songs...Well not right this moment, Im blogging!
All the fake tanner. Carrie looked like she had spent the week with the Jersey Shore kids.
All the women in the actual movie theatre with me who gasped when Aiden and Carrie kissed, loudly exclaimed "I love you" to Big at one point, and clapped at the end of movie while chanting "Number 3! Number 3!".... Really? I felt like I was being punked.
Now, all in all, do I think you should see the movie? Definitely. But not because I think it is a great movie, but because as a true Sex and the City fan you have to see what happens. So, grab your lightsaber ---I mean manolo blahniks and go see the movie.
