Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)

I was initially against a continuation of the runaway hit HBO series, Sex and the City The Complete Series (Collector's Giftset) I felt that the season finale was perfection and any other stories to be told would only spoil it. Once the movie started though, I was drawn in and it felt great to see these "familiar" friends again: Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis). Carrie and Mr. Big (Chris Noth) decide to tie the knot, and the movie revolves around how their relationship takes the next step. Meanwhile, Miranda and Steve are dealing with Miranda neglecting their relationship. Samantha has become an L.A. housewife and is none too happy about continually playing second-fiddle to Smith. Charlotte...well, she is just living a perfect life with adopted daughter and husband Harry. The movie continues the vision of the series: insightful, witty, and extremely well written. Jennifer Hudson has a nice supporting role as Carrie's personal assistant; she brings sass to her role and definitely leaves the door open for a possibility of a "next generation" of young hopeful women to hit New York City. My gripes? I felt that fashion played too much of a role; in the TV series, it was a nice semi-silent costar. In the movie, it was a little "in your face" and over the top. I also felt that Samantha's storyline seemed a little out of character and contrived; her supposed weight gain was minimal and for her to ever stay in the background for Smith just seemed out of step. Many original cast members returned for the movie, although some were absolutely wasted as they were relegated to non-speaking cameos. For some reason, Stanford & Anthony are now close friends (possibly even more), which is totally against how they were in the series. Obviously, much has happened in the years since we last saw them; it left a feeling that an explanation scene or two must be on the cutting room floor. Removal of some of the fashion stuff and putting back in more of the witty dialogue would have benefitted the movie greatly.Speaking of putting back in...yes, this version is an extended cut. Many scenes have been lengthened, and it definitely helps give the movie a more finished feel and explains much that I thought was missing in the theater. Extra fun is Carrie's fashion show in her apartment, where she tries on many of her 1980's bad outfits for the girls, who rate whether the outfits should be kept or tossed. In the extended cut, ALL the girls (including Charlotte's daughter Lily) join in the fun and try on the outfits. This is especially wonderful as SJP does not necessarily deserve the lion's share of credit for this successful series; it is definitely an ensemble cast. The restored Halloween scene of Harry as The Addams Family's Uncle Fester is not to be missed, either!

I saw it twice on the big screen thoroughly entertained both times, and hoping for a follow-up!

Bonus features for 2-Disc Special Edition DVD:

DISC 1:

* Audio Commentary by director Michael Patrick King

DISC 2:

* Additional Scenes restored to the actual movie as well as a separate section with deleted scenes that feature commentary by Michael Patrick King as to why they were cut.

* A Conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Patrick King: a nice look at the movie with SJP and MPK, giving further insight into many of the choices made for the movie.

* The Fabulous Fashion of Sex And The City: Excellent featurette with Patricia Fields discussing how she finds all the different fashions for the character. Not one to get caught up in labels, her talent is for mixing up totally different looks and creating magic.

* Fergie in the Studio: watch a hit in the making as the singer records Labels or Love for the movie soundtrack, interspersed with Fergie fawning over the original TV series. A short featurette but cool to watch nonetheless.

UPDATE: You might want to hold off on buying this version, as an Sex and the City: The Movie (Ultimate Collector's Edition) with approximately 4 more hours of extras is due to be released on December; so far, no Blu-ray version of this set has been announced.

If I had known the series was as enjoyable as the movie, I would never have missed a single episode, but that's the beauty of a favorite series on DVD. "Sex and the City--The Movie" was such a fabulous fantasy with such a great ending that I must see the series now.

Four women who actually care about each other--now there's a new concept, but they actually do, genuinely, sincerely, and apparently for all time. Other reviewers have called the wedding dress a fifth character; some say New York or Manhattan itself. I say the fifth character has to be all those clothes Carrie wears, each dress costing hundreds, I'm sure. As a writer, she could afford such clothes? Wow.

However, anyone with eyes must include Chris Noth's Big character. He is such a hunk! A major element that stands out for me in this movie is the respectful attitudes Carrie and Big show for each other. They are attentive, caring, and considerate (except for --well, I best not say). Anyone can make a mistake.

A huge theme is forgiveness as it plays out in both Carrie's relationship and Miranda's, and in their mutual friendship. Meanwhile, Samantha learns that she is not being true to herself, an issue I just don't want to deal with. I have no idea if she is right or wrong concerning her decision.

The only character without problems is Charlotte, who does seem to lead a charmed life.

Overall, this is a story that reflects real life: problems in love, friendship, living arrangements, doing the right thing, and taking chances. That this movie ends well perhaps bodes well for the viewer, too. You think? Maybe...

Buy Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) Now

SEX AND THE CITY THE MOVIE SPECIAL EDITION won't satisfy all of the fans of the show. You either love it or hate it. Sure the movie had its pitfalls like the "will Big & Carrie marry or is this the final break-up?" etc., but for the most part it gives us fans one last hurrah. I guess the movie could be seen as the cherry on top of an already luscious and decadent sundae.

Did we need the movie? Probably not, but I'm glad the powers that be decided to make it. And just like that cherry, the movie is just a lovely garnish that topped off a really wonderful television series.

Here's what's on the SATCTM DVD Sp. Ed.:

DVD #1

***Extended Version of the movie--(Run Time 151 mins)--I think the extended scenes show Carrie, Charlotte, Harry and Lily on Halloween (I don't remember that scene in the movie)

***Commentary By Director/Writer Michael Patrick King

DVD #2

***Digital Copy of the Movie--To play on computer/ipods etc., w/out dvd

***Conversation W/Sarah Jessica Parker & MPK--24-minute featurette with director MPK and star SJP discussing various scenes

***The Fabulous Fashion Of SATC--18-minute Featurette with Costume Designer Patricia Field(who should win the Academy Award)--takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes of the fab wardrobe, shoes, bags and jewelery used in the movie and includes shots of the cast while filming

***Additional Scenes w/director commentary--Four additional scenes not in the movie or extended cut and MPK discusses each one

***Additional Scenes w/out commentary--the four above scenes w/out MPK

***Fergie In The Studio--Two-minute thing w/Fergie and the recording session for the song "Labels or Love" for the soundtrack

All in all a pretty good DVD set for fans of both the show and the movie. Seeing it the second time around, I do see things that I missed when seeing it in the theater. One of them being the over riding theme of "Cinderella." But, the friendship between the four women is still what makes SATC/SATCTM so special...at least to me.

Read Best Reviews of Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) Here

While it is -frustratingly -the third in a "triple dip" (following the theatrical DVD and extended cut DVD), if you are a "Sex and the City" collector / completist, then you cannot be without this set.

Discs One and Two are essentially the same as they are on the Extended Cut DVD release -BUT!! -Disc Two is *expanded* with three more featurettes that were obviously held back from the previous release so hard-core fans would have incentive to buy this package.

One featurette focuses on how they brought the movie to the screen, the second is about on the four leading ladies and the third is the HBO First Look program, "The Making of *Sex and the City.*"

On Disc Two of the extended cut release and this package, a conversation between Michael Patrick King and Sarah Jessica Parker takes place. Disc Three features the full conversation, greatly expanded. It plays as a "video commentary" (with many split screens and zooms in and out) to the theatrical cut of the film. Disc Three also adds a feature on the DVD release party and the day Sarah Jessica Parker did the scene with all the wedding gown changes.

Disc Four is a music disc that is worth it for me because of two additions. As a major aficionado of film scores, I am excited to find Aaron Zigman's "suite" (really two pieces from the film) on the disc and a notation that his score will soon be available on CD. I am also pleased to find the "alternate" version of "Labels and Love" on the disc. This "alternate" is what plays underneath the opening of the film.

Jennifer Hudson's song is also here, as are four songs "inspired by" the movie and the Pfeifer Bros. version of the SATC theme that is featured on the first volume of the movie soundtrack.

The box, designed like the wedding invitation to beat all wedding invitations, comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (only 85,000 of these things exist) and a slim hardcover book with pictures and quotes not only from the screenplay, but the "love letters from great men" referenced in the movie.

Overall, this is a FANTASTIC package both in terms of design and content.

Want Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) Discount?

I'm not going to review the movie, I'll leave that for everyone else. All I can say is that I am SO happy that Warner Brothers changed the digital format that comes free with their DVDs. I had bought last Harry Potter DVD for the digital version, only to discover it was not compatible with i-pods. This version is! If you are going to spend the money and want the option of it for your i-pod, get the Special Edition.

Save 38% Off