This “2” is too, too much. And that’s just the way “Sex and the City” fans want it. Over-the-top, 2 1/2 hours long, at times outrageous and even cringe-inducing, but almost always entertaining — the second feature will Carrie away those of us who love the franchise.
Despite the pandering and excess, director-writer-producer Michael Patrick King and star-producer Sarah Jessica Parker continue to use the platform for good as well as profit. It still delves universal relationship dilemmas; flouts boundaries on female humor, friendship and sexuality; and, elevates daring fashion into high art. This time, almost half the time, it happens through culture clash in Abu Dhabi.
With a reported $10 million budget for costuming alone, the jaw-dropping attire — still styled by Patricia Field — and festooned backdrop design allow adult women and gay men our kind of thrilling spectacle. And after six groundbreaking seasons on HBO and one enormous blockbuster in 2008, the fierce best friends now find — to cite that other iconic women’s film, “Out of Africa” — when the gods want to punish you, they answer your prayers.
If you go
‘Sex and the City 2’
3 out of 5 Stars
Stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Director: Michael Patrick King
Rated R for drug content and language throughout, and brief sexual material
Running Time: 146 minutes
Disenchanted, writer Carrie Bradshaw (SJP) finds marriage to her true love, Mr. Big, aka John Preston (Chris Noth), to be more takeout and TV than romance and glamour. Singleton Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) finds her cherished freedom complicated by the physical dictates of menopause. Devoted housewife Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis) finds domestic bliss marred by a permanently fussy 2-year-old and an overly pretty nanny. And high-powered attorney Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) finds that career achievement comes burdened with an abusive boss and painful personal sacrifice. But on an exotic girl-cation together to a luxurious/repressive Arabian locale, our heroines are spurred to face their demons. For Carrie, that means temptation, a chance encounter with old boyfriend Aidan (John Corbett). Meanwhile, Samantha spots a Danish hottie (Max Ryan) who could restore her mojo. He inspires what may be the most hilarious one-liner in “SATC” history. (Too explicit to quote. Sorry.)
But the two best set pieces in “2” are a beyond fabulous gay wedding officiated by a movie-stealing Liza Minnelli and an intimate conversation between Charlotte and Miranda about parenting. They highlight how the world of the characters, invented by columnist/author Candace Bushnell, can bridge the divide between farce and truth.
There’s surprisingly little sex or New York City in this “Sex and the City.” It’s about marriage, menopause, motherhood and Manolo Blahniks — with jokes and without apology.
