The glossy outrage surrounding Sex And The City 2 has been infinitely more interesting than the film itself. Die-hard Carrie fans have been baying for blood at the mindlessness of the sequel, whilst others sigh happily at the pretty clothes and shoes, content to treat it as two hours of cinematic magazine flicking. Upon entering a packed cinema – a sight that’s been repeated all over the country – it’s evident that the negative press has so far failed to affect box office takings in the UK.

Sex Out Of The City

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First of all – let’s get this over with – Sex And The City 2 is not a good film. It would make lovely, very expensive wallpaper if that helps, but as a film it fails on almost every level. The plot is non-existent, the characters behave in inane and contradictory ways, it’s pretty bloody racist and the only things that really shine are the buckles on the ever-present Manolos.

Abu Dhab-why?

If I was to try and describe the plot to you (which, by the way, takes two and a half hours to sit through), I’d be at a loss beyond – “they go on holiday”. Ah, yes! I hear you cry, a holiday! A “holiday”, representative of many, underlying things! A new perspective! A new, strange place where key issues are opened up, examined and ultimately resolved! Where characters develop beyond restrictions imposed by the oppressive skyscrapers of New York City, where new stages in their lives are grabbed hold of, torn apart, discussed and celebrated! Hurrah for women! Hurrah for – No. No no no. I said “they go on holiday”. I promise, that’s it. Samantha wears quite an exciting hat at one point, if that’s what you mean? The hat might represent something, I suppose* (*The hat represents nothing.) The ladies essentially jet off to Abu Dhabi for inexplicable reasons, and in this new, exciting setting, Carrie continues to worry about Big, Charlotte does her worried face, Samantha just loves that sex and Miranda… well… Miranda has discovered Spanx! Yay!

Is this all we got?

Dullness of the film aside (and seriously, it’s duller than a race between two walls), there’s a much more interesting question to ask; is it OK for women to have brainless comedies? I didn’t exactly enjoy Sex And The City 2, but nor did it offend me on a basic “I am woman” level. Yep, it was a bit stupid. Lots of films are, I’ve noticed. But then, I have never seen Carrie et al as particularly interesting female role-models. Yes, they have jobs. Yes, they enjoy having sex. And yes, they (in the TV series at least) value their friendship above their changing sexual relationships. But, I have to ask, is that it? That’s the revolution that has been so mightily betrayed? I like Sex And The City for the same reasons I like watching comedies like SuperBad. It makes me laugh, and I recognise flashes of myself in the fairly bland existences of the characters. I don’t look to it to change the world, and frankly I fear for the future of women if others do.

SATC 2 is stupid. It’s a stupid, silly film about clothes and sex (though there’s not really enough of the sex part for my liking). For those of you who depended on Carrie and crew to carry the female psyche into the 21st century, you have indeed been betrayed. But it’s really not the end of the world. Did The Hangover betray men everywhere? I don’t remember the picketing, if that was the case. Maybe, as women, we’re not yet comfortable enough in our gender to do anything but rage about brainless films like SATC2. And maybe – perhaps even hopefully – its failings will push us to find more worthy heroines, so one day we can stop worrying.

Natasha Hodgson