SYNOPSIS:
The
fun, the fashion, the friendship: Sex and the City 2 brings
it all back and more as Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha
(Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia
Nixon) come together to take another bite out of The Big Apple
– and beyond – in a hilarious sequel. What happens
after you say “I do?” Life is everything the ladies
ever wished it would be, but it wouldn't be Sex in the City
if life didn't hold a few more surprises. After all, sometimes
you just have to get away with the girls.
MOVIE REVIEW:
It’s quite difficult to believe this, but this reviewer has never watched a single TV episode of Sex and the City until the movie version came along some two years ago. How could the word “sex” have escaped him? How has the attraction of not one, not two, but four female leads telling raunchy jokes fled from his radar? How can it be possible that this much talked about series isn’t a staple in his list of “must watch shows so I can blend in nicely into social conversations”? While the answers to these questions may never be known (not that they are important anyway), it is better to be late than never, considering that this reviewer has caught both movies of this well loved series.
Truth be told, there isn’t really much of a storyline for this second movie. It follows the four female protagonists Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha as they travel to Abu Dhabi for a getaway from their daily dosages of pressures, which includes life, love and work. Yes, while the rest of us mere mortals travel to the usual tourist spots, the girls have it better to experience an adventure in the Middle East.
That’s basically about it for the plot of this 146 minute movie. You read correctly – a story like that can actually last for more than two hours on screen. We are guessing that with the box office success of the first move in 2008, the budget has to be spent on something. Wait, make that lots of things, ranging from the frequent costume changes to the lavish and extravagant sets. Oh, the actresses’ paychecks probably made up a huge percentage of the budget for this emotionally empty movie too.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon are already household names to the SATC (that’s the affectionate way of calling this long running HBO series) fans. They effortlessly flaunt their stuff in this movie, considering how the first season was aired on TV some 12 years ago – the girls are at the top of their games.
It is obvious that men play supporting roles in the movie, seeing how co stars John Corbett and Chris Noth are given one dimensional characterizations by Michael Patrick King, who serves as the writer and director of the movie. There are some bits of guilty pleasures in this sometimes self indulgent production, and it is not difficult to milk laughs from them. We are not proud to say this, but a plot development that insensitively pokes fun of the Middle Eastern culture made us chuckle quite a bit.
Rated M18 (Mature Theme), this local edition is edited to cut down on the raunchiness, and of course, to make money from the folks who are interested to make this a collectible. For non converts like this reviewer, it is probably sufficient to watch the movie on a stressful day to escape reality for a while.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
For a movie which drew bad reviews from the critics, we are surprised how this Code 3 DVD contains a quite a bit of bonus features, so much so that it warrants a 2-Disc Special Edition. In Disc 2, you’ll find a lineup of featurettes to satisfy the SATC fan in you. So Much Can Happen in Two Years – A Conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker and Director Michael Patrick King is a 26 minute exchange of opinions and thought between the duo set in a beautifully decorated set (check out the pink couches). The two, although engaging, make the movie sound deeper than it seems. The 15 minute Styling Sex and the City 2 will have girls drooling over the lovely fashion the girls wear in the movie, whether they are practical clothing to wear in this part of the world or not.
Marry Me, Liza! is an eight minute clip featuring Liza Minnelli’s cameo in the film. The daughter of actress singer Judy Garland appears in a gay wedding scene which showcases lots of extravaganza costumes and set designs. Revisiting the ‘80s goes in depth with an amusing prologue and shows you how the girls have grown over the years.
The 29 minute The Men of Sex and the City is strictly for the fans because you’ll get to see the male species that have made appearances over the years in the TV series. Watch out for amusing appearances by stars like Matthew McConaughey and David Duchovny and John Slattery. A piece of warning for the uninitiated: Some rather sexual content here. And while we are still at it, hosts Michael Patrick King and Mario Cantone may send off some vibes which will make men, err, a tad uncomfortable. Rounding up Disc 2 is the three minute Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack: Behind the Scenes with Alicia Keys where the popular singer talks about recording a song for the soundtrack.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The visual transfer of the movie is pristine enough for you to enjoy the colours and extravagance of the costumes, and is presented in its original English audio track.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
Posted
on 8 December 2010
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