SEX & THE CITY 2 (REVIEW)
This excessive sequel brimming with marketing gimmicks
defines the perfect girl's night out, most guys need not apply. A film
that no matter what critics may say will still be a box office hit and
has just enough reputation to entertain, largely due to the 94 episodes
of the groundbreaking television series it is based on.
It's been two years since Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker)
and her true love, Mr. Big (Chris Noth) tied the knot in the first big
screen foray, but things are noticeably different. Marriage is an issue,
monogamy and routine are yet to be defined, and a forced happiness has
the pair presiding. Carrie, again the narrator, isn't the only one struggling
with certain highs and lows of life. Best friends Miranda, Charlotte,
with the still very single and promiscuous Samantha, are caught in a
rut self depreciation that not even their cocktail of choice, a cosmopolitan
or three, can amend.
Feeling the need for more talk of men, motherhood, shoes
and fashion worship like the good old days, Samantha scores an all-expenses-paid
escape to Abu Dhabi. Disguised as a business trip, the change of scenery
is set to inspire adventure and a possible frenzy of unique designer
clothes to buy. One of her 'many' old flames also happens to be on a
film set in town, so that is another reason to visit. Taking the free
spirited girls from their beloved streets of New York, to the Middle
East, becomes a clash with tradition the locals are not going to forget.
The mediocrity of this situation is only the beginning of artificial
melodrama that becomes all too wearisome, long before the 146 minute
film is over.
The quartet's interaction with locals, attempting to generate
bling to the glowing sands of the east, becomes a series of hit and
miss comic routines. Not only do they have camel problems, they quip
of the traditional dress codes, freely wave condoms around a marketplace
and sprout an abundance of obscene one-liners concerning certain body
parts. Bad puns aside, watching Samantha demonstrate thrusting, or killing
time spent sitting around the swimming pool, checking out passers by
from behind oversized sunglasses, is as humdrum as it sounds.
The exceptional John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding)
briefly returns as Aidan, a character Carrie relives memories with,
while the great Evan Handler, now seen in 'Californication' is back
as Harry, the lovably balding, but flirty husband to Charlotte. Adding
minimal pizazz, star power cameo appearances from Miley Cyrus and Penelope
Cruz were all too fleeting. Rising star Megan Boone, last seen screaming
in 'My Bloody Valentine', is automatically gratifying as newcomer Allie.
Cabaret queen Liza Minnelli opens the film at a gleeful
wedding that turns into an outrageous song and dance production number
that the Village People would be proud of. If that's not enough to send
boyfriends running out for a choc top, the girls' karaoke version of
'I Am Woman' ensuing may.
Any positive energy from the series has now been exhausted.
Hopefully the stilettos will be retired to the closet after this flyweight
sequel. I personally couldn't sit through another one.
Shane A. Bassett
