'Sex and the City 2': Literally Incredible
June 23rd 2010 07:34
Never has such a film been made. I am astonished that Michael Patrick King has managed to achieve something as extraordinary as this, which has undermined all of my expectations. I was anticipating a film of complete mediocrity, but that is not what I witnessed in the cinema on the weekend.
With a mere $95 million, MPK has managed to create an abject travesty and deliver it to thousands of packed theatres worldwide. An extra $30 million was spent on the sequel than on the first film and it seems this has been invested in an agenda to promote a sense of Western arrogance and cultural bigotry, to set feminism back thirty years, and to cast Liza Minnelli in a role that had me cringing with horror. The remaining dollars appear to have gone to the other causes that are now close to his heart, which include a hackneyed and senseless plot, and poor acting.
The audience laughed and sighed and cried, and I must admit I pretty much did the same. The simplified representation of Muslim women almost had me in tears, as did the depiction of women in the workforce, while I could only groan at the genuine absurdity of the storyline and laugh at the blatant unoriginality and contrived sentiment of the dialogue.
So did I actually enjoy any part of it? I did indeed: the booze and my chilli dog.
Michaelie Clark
And then they sang 'I Am Woman'... a definite low point. Image courtesy of chichestercinema.org
The audience laughed and sighed and cried, and I must admit I pretty much did the same. The simplified representation of Muslim women almost had me in tears, as did the depiction of women in the workforce, while I could only groan at the genuine absurdity of the storyline and laugh at the blatant unoriginality and contrived sentiment of the dialogue.
So did I actually enjoy any part of it? I did indeed: the booze and my chilli dog.
Michaelie Clark
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I'd sooner eat my boot than have to endure either of the two Sex and the City movies.
Eeek! I just saw the people camping out in LA for the premiere of Twilight: Eclipse. They've been camping out in droves since the weekend already, and there's still a couple more days. The Harry Potter freaks do something similar. It gives me the creeps!!!
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Some people in Hollyweird just don't know when to leave things well enough alone do they?
LYW
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Comment by Nonymous
Philosophy Blog
Thinking out loud, I'm not sure how many movies-from-TV-series have been better than, or even equalled, their originals. Perhaps this is to do with the push to make things bigger and more cinematic, or the structural change of adapting to a two-hour format, or the commercial desire to create something that's self-contained, with no prior knowledge needed of plot or story-universe.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I have hated both the movies, and knew I would, but I would still rather eat my boot, or yours for that matter, than not see them! There must be some tiny morsel of hope that lives on in my heart...
Hey MNG - indeed they do not, and something tells me they are not done yet... I think there will be more to come, I doubt MPK cares about the terrible reviews when he's pulling in a couple of hundred million in the first month alone.
Thanks for the comments guys
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Nonymous, I think the first was worse for lack of plot and unmotivated actions by the characters, this one was worse for hovering on the verge of being racist and for undermining women.
I think SATC had so much punch with the short eps, especially in the first few seasons, maybe even if the same style was used it wouldn't work in such a long drawn out affair as this (over two hours).
That said, the key outcome MPK seems to be going for is making bazillions of dollars, without much regard for whether it is any good. He's cashing in on association and sentimentality - they even reuse a lot of lines and outfits deliberately to provoke a positive response. I find it cheap, especially when the series was quite groundbreaking when it began in the late nineties, and stayed fresh and gritty for several years.
This is probably way more info than you wanted.
Trace - Alcohol really helped! Keep that in mind in case there's a next time...
Merci beaucoup!
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
When they sang "I am woman", I had the urge to grab my balls - and I don't have any! You are absolutely right, that was a definite LOW POINT and it was contrived-overkill. The entire point of the series, which I really liked is that they lived the "song" so singing it was just way too much icing on the cake.
The first movie was just "okay" but this one was a travesty!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Yes, was truly horrific, I was almost embarrassed for them, which is kind of silly.
I saw an ep of Dr Phil once (I think I was depressed and needed bad day-time TV) where this woman was obsessed with her 'glory days' and couldn't stop obsessing about the past and romanticising everything.
The movies remind me of that woman. The series was full of glory, but they can't get past it and create something new, instead they keep rehashing everything in such a ridiculous, over-the-top way, that they are destroying the innovation and energy they once had.
Sigh.
Thanks for the comment and compliment
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Michellia
the mere site of that photo at the top made me shudder - thats all I can really say - tv shows in general should not be made into films
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Had no desire to see this, but have read some very amusing reviews that all concur with your verdict.
Kim Catrall really did peak with Big Trouble in Little China...then again it sounds like this makes Mannequin appealing by comparison
Comment by Sim1
Fish on Film
The Lives and Souls of Bella-Mae
So all in all, we liked it, yes?
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
Very entertaining review, even though the subject movie is not one I aim to see... didn't watch the TV series either, but did think it remarkable that when it first aired they used the "C" word!!
anyhoo, keep em comin!!
cheers
fog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
The first movie was really bad, but now I am curious to see how much worse this second one could be.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Jason - All one really can do is laugh!
JD - I had just that thought re: Mannequin, in fact I think I even voiced it after the movie!
Sim - Yes, was fantastic, can't you tell?
Fog - The series definitely pushed some boundaries, and I think it has had a lasting impact: there are a lot of things women discuss more openly now...
Morgan - didn't you know? Racism is the new black... or should I say white? It's pretty bad, there are some moments that are genuinely disturbing they are so stupid.
Thanks all for the comments!
Comment by The Rusty Can
Everything
...mmm... I have a hankering for chilli dogs.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
All singing in the movie was horrendous, I don't know whether Liza or the karaoke was worse!
I loved that chilli dog so much, I think I could actually buy another Gold Class ticket to see the movie just to get the chilli dog, and then leave before the film gets going and I start feeling nauseous...
Thanks for visiting this humble blog of mine!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
BAHAHAhahahaha
So bad.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I've just been on Tracy's blog to read her review and like i said to her, both of your have confirmed my worst fears.
I figured if you, of all people, are iffy about it, then it must be bad.
I haven't seen it yet, but I will.
It's criminal considering how good the series was.
Love & stuff
Mrs M