Liza Minnelli presides over a chi chi over-the-top gay wedding in Connecticut, Penelope Cruz makes a play for "big" at a New York premiere after-party, and a tempting night on the beach with a stranger (and a clash of cultures) lands Samantha under house arrrest.
For fans of the show, it was another chapter of side-splitting fun with the girls (with "girls") - who end up in an exotic midde-eastern luxury oasis that delights, tempts, forbids, spoils - and ultimately issues- an ultimatum:
Get out of town by high noon (or at least by Hotel check-out time).
Uh-huh!
As as our gaggle of giggling gorgeous gals tear up the United Arab Emirates terrain - and shatter the mores of an ancient culture that is quick to suppress a woman's voice - the hapless gals nonetheless end up at a Karoke bar belting out their theme song with bang-on sensibility:
"I am woman!"
It appears that the Muslim woman can't be far behind in a Nation that now considers itself the new Middle East.
In fact in one hilarious scene, it is a bevy of "modern Muslim babes" who save our plucky heroines from a fate too awful to fathom.
A flogging in the public marketplace, perhaps?
In addition to the usual round of snappy (at times outrageously naughty) rounds of quips and amusing banter, there are unexpected surprises that trigger spontaneous gales of laughter from the rapt audience.
For example, when Samantha is invited to a Hollywood-style premiere in NYC, it's an golden opportunity to dash off and pluck up a revealing sexy designer gown to flaunt in the glare of the spotlight.
After being advised by a fashionista at an upscale designer boutique that her selection was a bit "young" (you'll get your ti*s slapped, missy) she boldly throws caution to the wind and snaps up the racy outfit anyway.
When Samantha steps onto the red carpet to be photographed - eghads! - Miley Cyrus shows up moments later (playing herself) in an exact copy of the same designer gown.
Do they both crawl under the carpet embarrassed?
No.
Miley senses the humor of the moment - and thus - reaches out to the over-sexed cougar.
The winsome twosome end up posing for the frenzied paparazzi arm-in-arm.
Early on, in the opening scenes, Liza Minnelli officiates at a gay wedding and the moment turns out to be a wild hoot.
In view of her own disasterous trek to the altar, Ms. Minnelli appears to be taking a poke at herself!
"Whenever there is a high concentration of gay energy, Liza Minnelli manifests," one character joked from the sideliness.
A short while later, Liza dazzles with a show-stopping glitzy number (accompanied by two energetic back-up dancers) that underscores the trooper is still in top form.
If you're into show tunes - and the Gay Men's chorus - this movie is for you
At the heart of the story is a message about marriage, and monogomous relationships, which is so cleverly woven into the undercurrent of the plot line (sometimes in a tedius long-winded way) that it doesn't sound preachy.
Carrie & "Big" come to realize, that exercising their freedom in the relationship, can surely add sparkle the childless union cries out for to ensure its longevity.
As usual, the girls each go through new personal dramas.
Of course - at a coffee clatch, spa, or in a quiet heart-to-heart - each crisis is handled one by one.
Yes, happy endings all.
The film is big and splashy and over-the-top - and essentially a blown-up version of the TV series - but with a higher dose of verve and style and panache.
"Sex in the City" was a trifle too long, unfortunately (the gay wedding could have been "cut" a smidgen instead of letting it run wild and willy-nilly "uncut" on the wide-screen to the film's detriment)).
Some judicious editing in the "Ishtar" scenes (fortunately "sex" didn't go that route and was thus saved from potential disaster) may have tightened up the long sprawling out-of-control script so that it was more palpable.
But for fans, it is solid gold entertainment, without doubt.
And, what a curious breed they are.
In the lobby of the theatre, I was astounded by the eclectic mix that is the "Sex in the City" filmgoer.
The devotees have a distinctive "look".
The mostly female crowd (sprinkled with a handful of gay couples celebrating girl's night out) carried designer clutch bags, wore elegant (funky) heels, and squeezed their precious bods into gowns that ranged from floor-length body-fitting styles to short-short sun dresses that were chic and simple (punched up with a riot of beads, baubles, and eye-catching bangles).
The "do's" were of all persuasion - and often adorned and highlighted - with fashion flourishes.
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