Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
“Sex and the City 2” (Comedy: 2 hours, 26 minutes); Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Chris Noth; Director: Michael Patrick King; Rated: R (Thematic elements, sexual innuendo, strong language, sexuality and nudity)
Movie Review: Carrie Bradshaw (Parker) is married to John “Mr. Big” Preston (Noth) but she fears her marriage has become mundane after two years. Marriage was exactly what she wanted, but it is not what she fully expected. Charlotte York (Davis) is overwhelmed with family and being a full-time mother. Her younger daughter is going through “terrible twos” stage. Meanwhile, Miranda Hobbes (Nixon) is dealing with a chauvinistic boss she deplores. And Samantha Jones (Cattrall) is face a mid-life crisis; she is menopausal and worried about remaining young. These ladies need a vacation.
Enter a wealthy businessman from Abu Dhabi. He offer Jones an all-expenses-paid stay at one of his luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi. This is what the ladies need — a vacation to an overseas paradise. But the women learn they are only temporarily escaping their New York City lives.
Based on characters from the book by Candace Bushnell, “Sex and the City” (also directed by King, 2008) was celebrated by fans who championed the television show that started in 1998. The problem with the first “City” is that it played as if it were still on television. Movies should always be a grander version of the teleplay in which it originated — not something one can see on television. “Sex and the City 2” remains trapped within this recurring faultiness.
Mostly, this imperfection occurs because the fab four never appear to mature as they age. They are older but no wiser, albeit they remain interesting.
The bigger problem with this comedy is an ineffective plot; one that stumbles around like over-intoxicated partygoers. “City 2” tries to make too many statements. It generously applies multiple topics, concerning women’s roles in relationships, gay rights, aging as a woman, and treatment of women in the Middle East. They are worthy topics, but none get preferential treatment for a focused plot.
Exactly one hour is the time allotment to set up this film’s plot. The other hour and a half presents the ladies committing outlandish behavior in a conservative part of the world and expecting no consequences. Even more, many of the jokes, especially the gay ones, are recycled to the point they become tedious and trite.
At nearly a runtime of two and half hours, “Sex in the City 2” is an hour longer than needed. Despite cameos by big-name actresses — Liza Minnelli’s bit is entertaining — the film remains mainly a gaudy fashion show.
Grade: C- (Impotency in the city)
“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (Adventure/Action: 1 hour, 56 minutes); Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina; Director: Mike Newell; Rated: PG-13 (Strong violence)
Movie Review: Prince Dastan (Gyllenhaal) is the adopted son of King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup), the powerful ruler of Persia. After the king is killed, Dastan finds himself fingered as the suspect. He flees with Princess Tamina (Arterton) and a dagger that enables him to go back in time one minute. Dastan must keep the magical dagger safe from his uncle, Prince Nizam, who wants to manipulate the past.
Based on the video game, this adventure is a moderate popcorn flick filled with gratuitous special effects. Expect little and you receive much. Otherwise, expectations of higher standards will leave viewers disappointed. The action is fun, but the story is crappy and the characters all appear out of place.
Kingsley is a talented actor. He fails to do his best as an actor, but these two-bit roles as villains in fantasy, adventure and science-fiction films are becoming too routine. Also, no one expects Jake Gyllenhaal to be an action star, but he works here, contributing to the awkwardness of characters in their respective roles. Gyllenhaal, like others, is fun to watch but not believable as a compelling character in a substantive screenplay.
Two aspects do stand out as good entertainment. One, Molina is brilliant as Sheik Amar. He is funny and keeps the film moving on happily at dull moments. Another aspect of interest is two men throwing knives at each other in a showdown similar to a gunfight seen in Westerns of yesteryear.
“Prince of Persia” is fun but second rate when compared to most big productions originating during this time of the year. Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” 2005; “Mona Lisa Smile,” 2003) directs this noble effort with an unfortunate result.
Grade: C+ (Memorable for about a minute)
