Sex and The City 2

Although I enjoyed SATC 2, I was very uncomfortable with a lot of it, especially when the Carrie & co. went to the Middle East and Charlotte's simpering. I think that your behaviour should be appropriate to where you are in the world. I also think that the stereotypes in the movie are appalling. SATC works best when the women are in NYC.

Sweeping all that aside (and it really is difficult for me to do so), I love seeing the relationship between the women (for the most part). The other characters with the exception of Mr. Big aka John James Preston (Chris Noth) are very one dimensional (this is where the series has a big edge over the movies, as you have the luxury to get to know all the characters). It's interesting to see Zaf from Spooks and Art Malik turn up.

Quick plot synopsis, such as it is:-

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) - married two years and not liking the everydayness of it. WTF is this outfit about in the desert in Abu Dhabi?

Charlotte Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis) - so put upon with a full-time Irish nanny (there is a reason I mention her nationality) and crying because Lily put red icing handprints on her vintage skirt. Poor woman - life is so damned tough.






Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) - never there for Brady, her boss hates her and here comes the shocker "because she's a woman".

Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) - oh I wonder what she's obsessing over - menopause and sex of course

Then they all need a break, so Samantha manages to get them a first-class trip wangled to Abu Dhabi. There is something to be said for never turning right once you get on a plane. Bad behaviour and recriminations follow, then they wind up back in NY.

One of the most cringeworthy moments for me was when Miranda and Charlotte were going on about how bad their lives were and they toasted "the women who have no help". Patronising moos!

The Losers

First thing you must do is suspend belief (I always wonder why people say suspend disbelief). The Losers is based on a comic book. It is a revenge flick - my favourite genre. It is very, very hokey. The crack-CIA black ops team is very two dimensional, but that doesn't matter.

The first ten minutes go like this: The Losers are sent into oversee a drug lord being taken out by the CIA. They notice that a group of children are being used as drug mules and are told to continue the mission. They rescue the children. The operation goes ahead, and the children are put on the helicopter that was meant to carry The Losers away from the scene.

The helicopter explodes killing all aboard making the Losers think hmmm this was meant for us (shocker). From here they go into hiding, seeking ways to get back to the States to find Max (Jason Patric) who set them up in the first place. The plan becomes a reality when they meet Zoe Saldana (way too skinny) who promises her help. What on Earth could be her ulterior motive?

The movie moves along apace. It is exactly the right length. Typical buddy movie where they have really stupid names. It stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Clay (swoon, swoon, swoon), Idris Elba as Roque (Mmmmmmmmm), Chris Evans as Jansen (loved him in the Fantastic Four), Oscar Jaenada as Cougar (real ladies man), Columbus Short as Pooch (my favourite in the movie) and Zoe Saldana as Aisha (hey she's not blue). Jason Patric is a great baddie as the psychopathic Max.

The action sequences are comic book. Nothing is shown nor lingered on. The rating is 12A, but it could have easily have been 15 if scenes were extended to show the carnage. I could make an argument either way. It might have been edgier. I am still harping on about language allowed in 12A films. When did it become appropriate to swear in a 12 film?

The camera work is all quick cuts and a bit of shakiness, vomit inducing in the very beginning until it settles down or more likely you get used to it. At it's very heart, the film was fun. It wasn't trying to be deep or meaningful, just a bit of Friday night popcorn entertainment.

Frothy yes, memorable no - but so what!