The plot essentially revolves around touching base with the four friends a couple of years on from the last film.  We find Carrie happily married to Big, if not a little unsatisfied with the mundane aspects of married life.  Charlotte has the family she has always dreamed of, yet is finding motherhood not as easy as she had hoped.  Miranda is still a career woman, but unhappy in her job.  And Samantha is...Samantha!  When Samantha wrangles a free trip to the Middle East, she invites her friends along and so the girls jet off on an adventure to Abu-Dhabi. 

The film lacks the witty humour and racy sex scenes for which we have come to know and love the show for.  There aren’t any snappy comebacks from Miranda, and while Samantha does redeem the film slightly with some of her funny remarks, the humour is just not there in this film.  It’s also hard to relate to the characters – Carrie comes across as whiny and ungrateful, obsessed with the thought that she and Big are doomed to become a boring, old married couple.  One of the elements that made the television series so entertaining was the chemistry between the four leading ladies, yet this chemistry has gone in the film.  And there are more than a few cringe-worthy moments – I won’t spoil anything for those who are yet to see it, but don’t even get me started on the Liza Minnelli scene in the beginning of the film!  It’s so wrong! 

The film does however, have a few redeeming features.  We get to see the four women in 80’s flashback glory at the beginning of the film, which provides some laughs.  And of course, the film really is a visual feast for the eyes.  The sets and desert scenery of Abu Dhabi (which in reality is Morocco) are spectacular.  And the central redeeming feature is, as always, the fashion.  Patricia Field doesn’t disappoint – Carrie’s outfits are as fierce and fashion-forward as they have always been.  I have heard some people say that the women wear outfits no one would ever wear in real life, but that’s the point. A huge part of Sex and the City’s appeal has always been its fantasy elements – and the desert setting and fabulous outfits certainly contribute to that.

Overall, I think that perhaps a second movie just wasn’t necessary.  The first movie wrapped up the story lines nicely – Carrie got Big, and everyone lived happily ever after.  After that, there’s just not much else to say.

Gloss rating: 2/5

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