Sex and the City 2 proves that sometimes in the Big Apple, you should quit while you're ahead

by Ken San Nicolas

Director: Michael Patrick King

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon

The much anticipated sequel to the 2008 blockbuster, "Sex and the City 2" takes the template of its predecessor but changes the location to Abu Dhabi. The result is a strained 150 minute experience full of hundreds of jokes but few which warrant laughter. Add in a lame plot with no direction and what you have is a movie that sucks.

"Sex and the City 2" follows the life of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Catrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) two years after Carrie's marriage to Big (Chris Noth). Carrie is struggling to keep the fire in his marriage, Cynthia is struggling to balance work with her family, Charlotte is struggling to keep her sanity with her children and Samantha is - Samantha.

Regardless of their personal drama, the group decides to jump on the opportunity to take an all expenses paid trip to the Middle East. What ensues is 2 hours of corny predicaments and lame one-liners that would leave even Jay Leno revolted.

The problem with "Sex and the City 2" is that it brings nothing new to the table, and that it fails to live up to the witty humor that made the TV series and the first movie a hit. This movie is just way behind the times and can't seem to catch up with the fashion and trends that entertain audiences in 2010. Sure, there are some nice clothes, a pretty nice backdrop for the plot, but nothing that is really cutting-edge or awe-inspiring. It seems as if director Michael Patrick King falls back on the exotic scenery whenever the script lacks content and vice-versa. The problem with this is that the script ALWAYS lacks content. The plot is so shallow that it's borderline insulting to the years of joy that the series has brought to its viewers.

Another detriment to the film is the lack of chemistry between the characters. I don't know where they went wrong but the relationship between Carrie and Big has lost its spark completely. Even when the couple is happy their conversation and acting isn't persuasive enough to seem believable.

All in all, the makers of "Sex and the City 2" seem to have taken advantage of the opportunity to cash in on the momentum of this series. Unfortunately for them, they have killed any future momentum of this prominent series with the brick wall that is "Sex and the City 2". The only thing that makes watching this movie on Saturday appealing is that you could possibly win some awesome raffle prizes like designer shades or bags. Aside from that, this sequel is totally old and uncool.

0 out of 5 stars.