But... something very important was missing from this movie number 2. A character.
New York City.
There just wasn't enough of it. The chemistry to the city is what brings the series, the girls, full circle. I felt like Michael Patrick King was on vacation while they wrote this. In an interview a few years ago, SJP said NYC was a character in the series. Hell, it was her boyfriend in Season 5. It wasn't a character in this movie... it was a distant fling.
I felt connected to Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte in my own ways of what they were experiencing; but I felt they were somewhat disconnected from their original characters.
I can't digest the movie in the way I did the first one. I didn't cry this time.
Also, the boys. Steve, Harry, and even Big... missing. They made the cut for a mere 2 minutes.
There wasn't enough time around a coffee table. If you have never seen the series, this plot especially lacked meaning. It was an entire movie stretched tightly around an idea of traveling to a foreign country and making a few mistakes. I didn't feel that way with the first movie.
In the end, the girls are together... and for me, that's a reason to cheer. I will see every movie they ever make... and I will like it. Because I like how this series speaks to women. Well, to me. I like that the writers can get under my skin, the chemistry between 4 women - even with their differences.
It bold prints the meaning of friendship. And I will always appreciate the girls being together.
What is your review??
23 comments:
I haven't seen it yet but I'm not sure if I'm going to after all the negative reviews I've read... I didn't really ever watch the series but the first movie was SO good! (Yep, I cried too lol and that's saying a lot from someone who didn't really watch the series!)
I agree that there wasn't enough New York, and that there wasn't enough Steve and Harry (did you notice how old Steve looked? wowzers!), but I still really loved the movie. Except when Carrie was really mean to Charlotte in Abu Dhabi, that made me uncomfortable. :) Otherwise, I thought it was great, though I would have loved it even more if it were even another hour longer and we could have seen more of all the things, people, and clothes that we love. :)
I haven't seen it and i really don't want to be dissapointed! :( xx
i completely agree. i realized that half the reason i watch the movie is for the new york life! the setting just didnt do it for me at all. but you're right, theg irls were together at the end and that's what counts:)
Going to see it with my girls tomorrow so will post a review then! Everything that you're saying about it though (less men, less emotional/crying) was intentional from I've read over the past few months! Due to the reactions from last time (lots of crying, heartache) they wanted this one to be more upbeat/light and focus more on friendship rather than relationships...
Oh no :( That's what I was afraid of when I saw the trailer... SATC isn't SATC without NYC :(
I haven't seen it yet, but everyone keeps telling me that something is just missing...its not the same. It kinda makes me sad! I'll let you know what I think!
I've heard several others say the same thing, and although I'll still see it and know I'll enjoy it, I'm bummed it isn't going to be as spectacular as the first. Thanks for sharing!!
I LOVED everything about this movie! I was actually excited about the girls getting away, I think that is what all of the characters needed. The first movie was completely centered in NYC and focused on ALL of the guys so I thought this movie was all about the girls needing some fun and it was well done in my opinion! I got enough of a taste of Big and the other guys and I think the movie might have gotten boring without the trip because their wouldn't have been any conflict that they really could of created in their marriages, if that makes sense. I felt like they made the most out of these characters and though a few scenes were corny (karaoke and gay wedding) we got a variety of everything. :)
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I am ashamed as one of the proudest fans to say I haven't seen it yet (good story behind it... patiently waiting for my 3 best friends to get into town so we can all see what we started watching together). Anyhow... from what I have heard, here's what bothers me
1) Do not make a movie dedicated to people who know little about the show when you have a very loyal, dedicated group of fans who have been watching it since the HBO days... Fans who own the Box Set... Fans who can't go a WEEK without watching at least one episode! Why are we making a movie for people who know nothing about the show who are all of a sudden "fans" just because of the first movie?
2) The SATC writers have never disappointed. As a writer, I am in awe and appreciation of the dialogue that comes from that show. Most of it, I am completely blow away by. Why drift off the story line with new, random writing?
3) Is this now a teeny bopper phenomenon? Why are there so many teenagers into this all of a sudden? They were 8 years old when the series started! Are the writers gearing it toward them? Because they are the only people I am hearing who actually liked it.
4) Sex and the CITY not in their CITY? I am baffled!
So here I am going off and giving my opinion of something I haven't even seen, but I am just terrified of being disappointed. I have waited a full year for this. To be reunited with "my girls." I never in a million years thought the writers of this show could disappoint, and I hope that in the end, I'm not. Like you, no matter what comes of the movie series, I will always wait, get excited, and be dedicated to seeing the girls!
Thank you for this post! It makes me feel a little better about being worried to see the movie!
I do know just what you mean. NYC IS a character in the show, and it was absolutely missing. Still, I now want to go to the UAE. STAT!
Great review! I have yet to see it - probably will this weekend. I agree that I will always like and watch the movies/shows so long as they are made, but I definitely miss the older seasons!
I TOTALLY agree with you. The first one was better, but I am sure after I watch this 2nd one over and over I will like it just as much. The plot just wasnt as great in this one, the fashion wasnt as good either - it was more costume. I still liked the movie, but just a little disappointed =(
I'm hoping to see it this weekend - I'll let you know what I think!
"It was an entire movie stretched tightly around an idea of traveling to a foreign country and making a few mistakes."
I TOTALLY disagree.
I feel two issues they touched on, mothering multiple children, and keeping a marriage alive, were easy to relate to and realistic.
If you've ever watched two children both under the age of 8, you know how insane and frustrating it can be.
And to be the mother and not be able to make your child feel better...that's a serious, upsetting feeling/dilemma.
And with a high national divorce rate, I'm sure many people related to Carrie DRAGGING Big out, and feeling comfort in flirting with Aiden...The movie showed that even with true love, marriage can grow stale or feel like a cage, and many times you need to sit down and talk things out- because so many people just ignore it or sit in front of the TV instead.
I just posted my review on my blog, but it's not very good...I tend to talk in circles when I'm trying to make a point and then it doesn't happen :/
i love the series and definitely understand what you mean. i am going to see the movie tonight and will have to give you my review then! xoxo
Thanks for the reply! I totally hear you, and I'm glad we both agree the movie was still good and the girls are still great :)
PS, Love your blog! And super jealous of your wonderful hubby who was sweet enough to get you THE shoes! I really want these red Louboutins she wore on Regis and Kelly the other day! They looked like ART.
I haven't seen it yet but I can't wait to! :)
Xx
I agree with you! I thought it was a cute girly movie but not the SATC I have grown to love. I love everything about NYC and wish they would have maybe split the movie half and half in terms of location. Also, I could see how parts of the movie were offensive to people of the middle east. There was still a ton of laughs and smiles but I felt like it just didn't add anything to the plot like the last movie did.
I guess I'm just not a huge SATC fan anyway, but I thought it was decent. It didn't get the best reviews, and I see why. It was funny and cute, but it didn't live up to the first movie.
I think it was good that this one was a little different. Three of them are married now so their lives are different and so a vacation was a must! I do think there could have been a little more NYC though, because I agree that it is a character, but I think the girls actually brought NYC with them to the Middle East; especially Samantha lol!
Sex and the City, Minus the City
*this is my review I wrote for a newspaper!
Ah, Sex and the City. One of the greatest and girliest shows ever to hit HBO. It’s fun, it’s stylish, it’s hilarious. And, what’s more, it’s completely centered in lovely NYC.
So it was quite an unpleasant surprise when Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda wound up in the Middle East - Abu Dhabi, to be exact. Don’t get me wrong, the glamour was all there. The girls dressed up in fabulous clothes, as always. They drank Cosmopolitans and stayed in an out-of-this-world hotel suite.
But where was the city?
Some may argue that the city was there in the beginning. Yes, that’s true, but only for a small fraction of the entire movie. By the time the credits rolled, I was Abu Dhabi’ed out.
Of course, there were some good parts about the movie. Like I said before, the fashions were amazing. Prada, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik... Sigh. I was green with envy.
Oh, and the hotel was just as incredible as the outfits. Each girl had her own butler, for crying out loud.
As the movie progressed, I sat in my seat and marveled at the splendor. And then I got to thinking: were the producers trying to distract us from the poor plot with extravagant cloths and a unique location?
Maybe so. But regardless of the movie’s flaws, I would recommend it to any Sex and the City fans out there. If not for the plot, see it for the glamour.
Stumbled onto your blog while browsing the internet and I'm so glad I have. I may have just met someone who's love for SATC rivals mine! :)
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