Sex and the City 2
Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her friends—Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon)— are back navigating the ups and downs of love, friendship, and fashion in their glamorous New York City lives. However, this time, the story takes a detour to Abu Dhabi, where the ladies experience new adventures and challenges.
Michael Patrick King
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Chris Noth
Review
Sex and the City 2 is a sequel that should never have been made—a fact made painfully clear from the moment the film begins. While the first instalment had some semblance of sense, continuing the story from the beloved TV series, this sequel is a cringe-inducing mess that not only fails to capture the essence of the show but also manages to offend with its ignorance towards the Arabic culture.
Directed by Michael Patrick King, the film picks up with the characters living their seemingly perfect lives, but as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that there's little substance beneath the surface. Carrie's marriage to Mr. Big (Chris Noth) is put to the test, Samantha is still a caricature of her former self, Miranda struggles with her career, and Charlotte deals with the challenges of motherhood. These plotlines, which could have been engaging, are instead reduced to shallow and superficial subplots that do little to advance the characters or the story.
Not only did Sex and the City 2 miss the mark in terms of entertainment, but one of the film's most egregious missteps is its disrespectful portrayal of Arabic culture. The characters' behaviour in Abu Dhabi was cringe-worthy, from poking fun at religious clothing to a blatant disregard for local customs and traditions. The film's depiction of the culture was shallow and ignorant, relying on stereotypes rather than taking the time to understand the country they were visiting. The decision to film in Abu Dhabi was met with resistance, as both Dubai and Abu Dhabi denied permission due to concerns over the script's content. Despite this, the filmmakers persisted, choosing to shoot in Morocco instead. This disregard for cultural sensitivity is evident throughout the film and ultimately detracts from any semblance of entertainment it might have offered.
The film's attempts at humour fall flat, with jokes that range from the tasteless to the absurd. Whether it's Samantha's escapades or the girls' misadventures in Abu Dhabi, the humour feels forced and contrived, lacking the wit and charm that characterised the show.
In the end, Sex and the City 2 is a disappointing and embarrassing follow-up to the beloved TV series. It fails to capture the magic of the show, instead opting for cheap laughs and offensive stereotypes. While fans of the series may find some enjoyment in seeing their favourite characters reunited, most viewers will likely be left cringing at this misguided and poorly executed sequel.
Final Thoughts
Sex and the City 2 is a prime example of a sequel that should never have been made. From its offensive depiction of Arabic culture to its uninspired humour and shallow character development, the film fails to live up to the legacy of the beloved TV series. While die-hard fans may find some enjoyment in seeing the characters reunited, most viewers will likely be left disappointed by this misguided and embarrassing sequel.
