Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Sex and the City: Never as good as the first time
In what has proven to be the first disappointment of unofficial summer, Sex and the City 2 has confirmed its identity to be what most of us feared: a rushed effort on the part of writers and producers desperately trying to capitalize on the success of a blockbuster for the sake of profit and not in the name of advancing a story.Over a two hour journey that could best be described as campy, we watched our favorite ladies (dressed uber-fabulously, even better than the original flick, I must say) wander through half developed character arcs and an over-the-top Middle Eastern vacation (that was actually shot in North Africa), garnering cheap laughs through silly guest spots and predictable hi jinx.
The film ranged from slow moving (the suspense builds as we wonder if Charlotte's nanny will ever wear a bra!) to borderline offensive (Carrie's mocking a woman in traditional Muslim attire who is trying to eat french fries through her abaya). What became abundantly clear as the non-plot progressed was that the writers were unwilling to do what they would have needed in order to make this a quality sequel: take the additional time to "smarten" the script (i.e. increase witty jokes, reduce slapstick hilarity) and take risks with the women's happiness for the sake of authentic drama (i.e. give Carrie real conflict, make Samantha three dimensional, show the natural growing apart and growing together that lifelong friends do over time).
So much more I can say, and I will at a later date. But I want to give my girls a chance to share their $.02.
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I couldn't have said it better myself! Perhaps my expectations were way too high for this movie. After watching the first movie, I left that theatre feeling very satisfied and content with how the movie ended. I remember saying to my girls, "I don't need to see a sequel bc they wrapped up everything the way it should." Well, I was right.
I think the most diappointing thing about this movie was the writing. Where was all the smart, witty banter that made SATC such a hit? Instead it was replaced by cheap laughs, corny moments, and over-the-top accounts of life in Abu Dhabi. If they make a 3rd movie, I'll be waiting for the DVD...
It wasn't ALL bad, though. Here are 3 things I did like:
1. The fashion was AMAZING.
2. The convo between Charlotte & Miranda. Very real and very necessary. Cudos to them for that.
3. Samantha's hot guy in Abu Dhabi. WHO WAS THAT??
Looking forward to hearing all of your comments!
I think the most diappointing thing about this movie was the writing. Where was all the smart, witty banter that made SATC such a hit? Instead it was replaced by cheap laughs, corny moments, and over-the-top accounts of life in Abu Dhabi. If they make a 3rd movie, I'll be waiting for the DVD...
It wasn't ALL bad, though. Here are 3 things I did like:
1. The fashion was AMAZING.
2. The convo between Charlotte & Miranda. Very real and very necessary. Cudos to them for that.
3. Samantha's hot guy in Abu Dhabi. WHO WAS THAT??
Looking forward to hearing all of your comments!
Maybe they were caught up in the smell of their own ish...like Kimora and fabulosity. But the formula was overdone. After days of mulling over...I realize that it lacked genuine heart and love...they gave us what "we wanted" in an industrial, soda pop sort of way. It took us on a cheap date, then sent us on the walk of shame ;-) Ladies...we got done!
Despite it's campy and over the top moments, I enjoyed the movie.
Even though I liked the first movie, you know I had some major issue with it- Jennifer Hudson reprising her role as Effie and also playing Carrie's mammy, Big leaving Carrie at the altar and in the end getting EXACTLY what he wanted, just like he did in the series- that annoyed me.
The things that annoyed me about this movie were somewhat minor in comparison. Maybe my expectations weren't as high?
Even though I liked the first movie, you know I had some major issue with it- Jennifer Hudson reprising her role as Effie and also playing Carrie's mammy, Big leaving Carrie at the altar and in the end getting EXACTLY what he wanted, just like he did in the series- that annoyed me.
The things that annoyed me about this movie were somewhat minor in comparison. Maybe my expectations weren't as high?
# posted by 
: 6/5/10, 5:03 PM
: 6/5/10, 5:03 PM
I agree with Patrice. In the first movie, each character had her own crisis (Big leaving Carrie hanging on their wedding day, Charlotte's fertility, Miranda's unfaithful husband and Samantha's loss of identity) that was resolved by the end of the film. The sequel had no depth. I was waiting for something of substance to happen and walked out feeling disappointed.
It didn't take me through an emotional roller coaster - no tears or big belly laughs. I actually found myself looking at my watch during the Abu Dhabi trip. Boy, did that drag!
It was just as fulfilling as spending a Sunday afternoon watching old episodes On Demand - predictable, comfortable and pleasing. Not the words you want used to describe a Blockbuster...
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It didn't take me through an emotional roller coaster - no tears or big belly laughs. I actually found myself looking at my watch during the Abu Dhabi trip. Boy, did that drag!
It was just as fulfilling as spending a Sunday afternoon watching old episodes On Demand - predictable, comfortable and pleasing. Not the words you want used to describe a Blockbuster...
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