Four out of Five stars
Running time: 145 mins

Enjoyable big-screen sequel to the much-loved TV show that won't disappoint fans, thanks to strong performances and a script that is both moving and laugh-out-loud funny.

What's it all about?
Four years after the much-loved TV show ended, the long-awaited big screen adaptation of Sex and the City catches up with the lives of New York writer Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her best friends Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall). Relationship-wise, Carrie is still with the elusive Mr Big (Chris Noth) – could a wedding finally be on the cards?

To give away too much of the plot would be unfair, but suffice it to say that each of the women undergoes a crisis of some sort that ensures that they all come together for mutual support over copious Cosmopolitans and frank discussions about marriage, motherhood, sex and shoes. Meanwhile, Carrie gets herself a personal assistant and soon gains a new friend in the form of sassy fresh-from-St-Louis Louise (Jennifer Hudson).

The Good
Fans of the series can rest easy as the movie is written and directed by one of the show's writer-producers, Michael Patrick King. As such, the bladder-challenging 145 minute running time means that the film basically feels like watching five shows back-to-back (in a good way).

The performances are excellent, though Cynthia Nixon is still the stand-out, delivering a spiky, heartfelt performance as Miranda. The script is superb, giving each of the four actresses equal screentime and ensuring that there are laughs and tears in equal measure.

The Great
As with the show, the strength of the film lies in the relationships between the four women and it's here that the script and the performances dovetail perfectly, ensuring that you laugh and cry right along with them. That said, not all the jokes work – a running gag about Samantha's sex-obsessed dog should probably have been cut.

Worth seeing?
Sex and the City is an enjoyable big screen follow-up that stands as a worthy continuation of the series. Recommended.