Iffy for 16+
Shopping, sex, and stereotypes merge in trite sequel.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this comedy, an extension of the HBO series beloved by adults (and teens thanks to DVDs and edited reruns in syndication), is a sequel to the first Sex and the City movie and features all the usual elements that made the show so famous: naughty jokes, serious label-dropping, and sex scenes (though slightly muted this time around). While essentially still a warm story about female friendship, this film layers on the familiar raunchiness, with Samantha driving the sexual humor through quips ("Lawrence of my labia!"), and two vigorous sex scenes that show thrusting male bottoms. Several close-ups of barely clothed body parts also make the cut; there's the braless nanny whose white shirt is accidently sprayed while giving kids a bath, providing a slow-motion wet T-shirt situation with fully revealed nipples; a poolside male rugby team gets some big-screen attention on their bathing suits; and in one scene, Samantha's date stands up with a full erection, much to the dismay of the traditionally clad Arab bystanders. Much is made of the Arab world's treatment of women and sexuality, and it's not handled very sensitively. There’s also some swearing ("f--k," "ass," etc.), social drinking that looks very glamorous, and heavy angsting about the three m’s: marriage, motherhood, and menopause.
- Families can talk about the lifestyles of the famous and fabulous foursome: How do they afford all those clothes and fancy furniture? If you had as much money as they do, how would you spend your money? Can you imagine spending $22,000 per night on a hotel? What do you think Carrie's butler thinks about the foursomes' spending habits? What message was the movie trying to send by telling the butler's story?
- What are Carrie’s feelings about marriage? Do they seem realistic? Do you have empathy for Carrie's situation? Why or why not?
- How does the film handle the cultural differences between America and the Arab world? Did you notice any stereotyping? What are your feelings about the movie's approach?
The good stuff
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Messages: There are empowering messages in the film, for sure, but they are buried by the narcissism and consumerism that runs rampant through the film. Also, there’s an insensitivity to Arabic culture. Plus, and this is a big plotline, there are expectations that marriage ought to be glamorous all the time. It’s later debunked, but only just.
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Role models: For so long, Carrie and her friends have pushed boundaries in a good way, and portrayed interesting, complicated women. But they just seem so superficial here. And the men are barely seen or heard. Nevertheless, their friendship is still admirably open and giving and supportive -- always great to see.
What to watch for
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Violence: Men scream and menace four women in a market.
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Sex: Lots of cleavage. A woman cops a feel of her date’s genitals (above his clothes) at a restaurant in Abu Dhabi, scandalizing other diners. A woman gets accidentally splashed, and her T-shirt reveals her nipples. A slow-motion scene of a braless woman jumping up and down with male ogling. A woman is shown having sex a couple times; her partners are naked, their backsides visible and thrusting. A married man kisses a married woman (and they’re not married to each other). Lots of double entendres.
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Language: A few occasions of “damn,” “hell,” and “f--k.” Plus "God" used as an exclamation.
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Consumerism: Persistent and over-the-top; labels named-dropped and flashed everywhere: Maybach, New Yorker, Vogue, Bulgari, Rolex, Valentino, Dior -- ad infinitum. Women constantly ooh and ahh over products.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Beer, champagne (lots of it!), and hard liquor imbibed at social occasions; some characters get drunk. Two characters smoke through a hookah. Two humorous mentions of drugs: cocaine and peyote.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
Five Word Review by denbob
old tired insincere shallow bad
2
What were they thinking? by psusie10
The movie had some great parts and I love the characters of Sex in the City. I was disappointed in this movie from the point when Samantha was offered the trip, I felt as if I was watching a politcal correctness commercial about how the middle east is good, and all of that business with Miranda walking around with her book and explaining about the culture. MY personal feeling is that after 911 WHY would you take 4 New Yorkers and send them to the middle east, what a slap in the face... I probably WILL NOT purchase this one to add to my collection :( what were the writters and producers thinking?? OH wait! yes it must be that "political correctness thing!?"
5
i love it!!!!! by SFSILVER
Sex and the City 2 is delightful!!!
The girls are dealing with everything all of us girls deal with too!!! Motherhood, keeping the sparkle in our marriages, aging, menopause - and wearing the right outfit! The girls look great, the warerobes are over the top, and the jokes keep coming. And Chris Noth looks hotter then ever!
For a FUN, HAPPY time go see it! No one dies, gets divorced, ill, or any of the ugly things about life! It's pure fun!! and lots of laughs!!!
3
This was my very first experience with SATC.... by lovestalentmoviefan
...so there are certain things that I am just not qualified to address here.They must have been shooting for their target audience and did it successfully,judging from these reviews. I think the only woman in this little foursome with acting chops is Cynthia Nixon. Kim Cattrall's flare up towards the end when her purse broke open was really good as well. Kristin Bell has zero depth,I first saw her in Couple's Retreat and wondered who the heck she was and where were her acting skills....still the same. Watch her...BLAH. BUT...the script and Ms.Nixon's support in the scene where they were talking about motherhood was the best in the movie. Wedding in the beginning was a ridiculous waste of time,except for I learned a little about each woman. SJP---she is really unattractive and not a very good actress,but there is something yearning in her eyes and expressiveness that catches you. Parts of her 'narration' were badly written,and that's not her fault. not good if you're not a fan already.
1
huge fan since day 1 by stanfordb.
terrible. the gals connection which has been the real star of the series was gone. not very funny or witty. fashion was awful. actually very racist. i was very very very disappointed. i watched the series countless times and consider myself a true die hard fan. i was actually shocked at how poorly it was done.
1
Sex in the city 2 creepy by jimjoel49
I was thinking ?What would happen if we never grew up, would it be funny?? No Jessica, it?s creepy. I was embarrassed for Kim Cattral. She plays Samantha, a 53 year old woman with a sex addiction that makes your skin crawl. The acting was terrible but not the fault of the cast. They are all beautiful middle age women who are asked to play twenty year old minded characters and that?s where the movie missed it mark. Sarah Jessica Parker went one to many times to the well and not only came out dry but should be embarrassed doing so.
3
These women need to grow up with their fans by birac
Miranda is the only one who seems to have done that. The other three are caricatures!!! Samantha's role should be empowering to women in that age group,however,she's just saying that the only way to prove you still got it is to act like a bi-ch in heat. Too over the top in the costume department. I just felt sorry for Liza Minelli. A classier costume could have made her number slightly less humiliating and how did that character perform a marriage?? Corbett did a particularly great job in his small role and Noth just needs a touch more personality.
5
Ignore the unfavorable reviews by annw82653
I thought the movie was a lot of fun. If you are a fan of the television series, the movie remains true to form. I was not disappointed in the least and cannot understand the negative reviews, although most of the people who are writing negative reviews did not like the show very much, either, so that might explain their attitudes.
4
I liked it... by rlc2141
If you want substance, stay home. Yes, much of the movie is NOT in NYC, but for those of us who live here, we know how important it is to get away with your friends.
For those who cant fathom buying a pair of $400 shoes, this probably isn't the movie for you. If you love glitz and glamor, you'll love this movie.
4
sex and the city 2 by the goze
As a fan of the show I wanted to see SATC2 - regardless of any negative buzz. I kind of would have liked to see some more evolution between Carrie and Big. Their relationship did seem somewhat stagnant. Part of me thought that maybe adding parenthood might have been a good idea - but that just isn't who these characters are. Parenthood really isn't for everyone. As far as the major plotline which was their sojourn to Abu Dhabi - I thought it was done well. Alot of humourous situations and one liners. Samantha was on her game as ususal and Miranda and Charlotte projected motherhood in an honest and painfully brutal way. I thought a little more attention could have been given to Stanford and Anthony - but their story ended as soon as it began. For the most part - I think as fans we got what we wanted - definitely not as emotional as the first film. The female empowerment message was there however as was the the intense bond of their friendships.