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Parents' Guide to

Sex and the City 2

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Shopping, sex, and stereotypes merge in trite sequel.

Movie R 2010 146 minutes
Sex and the City 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 6 parent reviews

ssteyer
ssteyer Adult
July 21, 2010
age 16+
This movie ruined the show for me. The acting was pretty mediocre and the plot was dumb. Some of the lines were really cheesy but I also found it to be very stereotypical of Arab cultures. The only aspect of the movie I enjoyed was the clothes--amazing costume designing.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much consumerism
jboddie
jboddie Parent of 7-year-old
June 1, 2010
age 17+
I enjoyed the movie as a long time follower of the show, but it is certainly NOT appropriate for those under 17. Could be offensive to other cultures. There is only one noticeable positive message which has to do with sexism in the work place and the character taking a stand against it.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Great messages
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) head to Abu Dhabi, where a sheik who might very well hire Samantha to launch his hotel welcomes them to his decadent -- butlers and chauffeured Maybachs for everyone -- property. They need the break, too: sweet Charlotte's at wit's end raising two daughters, one of whom won't stop crying, ever; Miranda's boss is a chauvinist of the 1950s order; Samantha's battling menopause with hormones and a Suzanne Somers book; and Carrie's fighting to maintain the "sparkle" in hers and Big's (Chris Noth) marriage. They're ready for Abu Dhabi, but is Abu Dhabi ready for them? And what happens when Carrie unexpectedly runs into Aiden (John Corbett)?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (17 ):

HBO's Sex and the City shifted mountains of paradigms, so it's no wonder it's considered groundbreaking; that's why it's such a disappointment to say that SEX AND THE CITY 2 is decidedly not. Though the foursome's enduring friendship remains -- a mindful conversation between Miranda and Charlotte about motherhood recalls the show's best sisterhood moments -- there's not much here that's particularly radical. In fact, it feels like the women -- Carrie especially -- have all taken a step back. Are we to sympathize with a Carrie who complains about a husband who'd rather cuddle and watch old movies than work the scene at an overheated club? (This, by the way, is the man she yearned to see settle down.)

Are we to believe that Samantha would now envy a twentysomething nanny? That they'd pick a Helen Reddy song to sing karaoke at an Abu Dhabi bar? That Carrie, a writer, doesn't know what a souk is? The film is all sorts of tin-eared, from its relentless consumerism (after a quick nod to the recession); annoying quips ("Lawrence of the labia"); and appalling arrogance about other cultures, to its insistence that we care about women who once seemed wise and bold but who now, alas, seem sad.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

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