by Manny The Movie Guy

Created on: May 28, 2008   Last Updated: May 29, 2008

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her 3 BFFs are back bigger but not necessarily better in the film adaptation of the hit HBO show, "Sex and the City." This time, the fab four are learning the value of forgiveness.

It's been four years since we last saw Carrie and friends and there are many lingering questions will Carrie and Mr. Big (Chris Noth) finally get married? Can the sexed-up Samantha (Kim Catrall) surrender to monogamy? When will Charlotte (Kristin Davis) get pregnant? Can Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) live happily ever after with her husband Steve (David Eigenberg)?

The film answers these questions and writer/director Michael Patrick King adds more layers to the movie to satisfy loyal fans and recruit new ones. King, who's arguably the best writer of the TV show, succeeds in pleasing "Sex and the City" fans, but I don't think the film will win new supporters.

All the necessary elements for a good "chick flick" are all in the movie - fashion, weddings, drama, shoes, purses, exotic locales, male nudity, and fabulous dcor! I just wish they all converge into one whole satisfying flick.

Based on the characters by author Candace Bushnell, "Sex and the City" finds Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda four years after the show ended. This time, our favorite gals are dealing with motherhood, marriage, and Manhattan real estate!

The men in their lives are also back with Chris Noth reprising his role as Carrie's catch, Mr. Big. David Eigenberg as Miranda's sweet hubby Steve Brady also returns, as well as Evan Handler as Harry, Charlotte's husband, and Jason Lewis as Smith Jerrod, the devoted lover of Samantha.

The fresh face among the cast is Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls") as Carrie's young and inexperienced assistant, Louise, who came to the city to look for, you guessed it, love. Hudson's presence could have added new texture to the show, but her character is so underdeveloped she barely registered on-screen.

There are some funny scenes in the movie, and the film is not above showing excrement humor! Yes, without grossing you out, one character has an unfortunate accident because of the water in Mexico.

But excrement or not, I have some trouble believing some of the dramatic scenes in the film. King writes with dazzling wit, but when it comes to genuine emotion, the writer/director falls flat.

One of the biggest problems of the film is its length, 2 hours and 22 minutes to be exact! There are some unnecessary subplots that could have been cut. The reason the TV show worked is because comedy and drama were all mixed rather well, like a tall glass of thirst-quenching Cosmopolitan martinis, in less than 30 minutes.

The best aspect of the film is the creations of fashion designer Patricia Field! Fans are going to watch this movie to scrutinize and imitate the couture, and Field delivers. The couturier's career took off when her collections from the TV show became as recognizable as the characters.

"Sex and the City" is a pop-culture phenomenon that taught women how to love life and have fun while wearing Manolo Blahnik shoes and carrying Birkin handbags. The movie version continues that tradition although not to a fulfilling degree.

But like the film's theme, I'm willing to forgive the movie for a chance to spend one more time with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. And for that, "Sex and The City" gets 2 high fashion kisses

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