Sex and the City 2 Opens at 12:01 A.M. On May 27 in Theaters Across the Country

Change is the main theme of "Sex and the City 2," the second big screen adventure for Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Samantha Jones and Miranda Hobbes. In this fantasy world, however, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The double entendres and evening gowns flow as freely as champaign in this very entertaining sequel from director Michael Patrick King.

Carrie and Mr. Big are in a marriage rut in "Sex and the City 2"

Two years after she married John James Preston (Chris Noth), successful author Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mr. Big have settled into a comfortable rut. John prefers to stay at home, order in take-out food and watch classic black-and-white movies on his brand-new flat screen TV. The party girl inside Carrie still wants to go out and play, however.

Charlotte (Kristin Davis), on the other hand, would love nothing more than a quiet, boring evening without two very demanding daughters. After 8 years of marriage, Charlotte has everything she always wanted, but she still feels like something is missing, even with a loving family by her side.

In contrast to Charlotte's wistfulness, hard-driven Manhattan attorney Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) wishes she had more mommy time with son Brady (Joseph Pupo). Unfortunately, her sexist, egotistical boss makes her a virtual slave to her smart phone, forcing her to text when she should be spending time with her family.

Some things never change in the "Sex and the City" world, though. Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is still the ultimate party girl, with the help, however, of a rigorous vitamin regime and the latest in hormone therapy creams. At age 52, Samantha acts like a woman half her age-until the vitamins wear off, that is.

"Sex and the City 2" has both Abu Dhabi and Liza Minnelli

Over the next two hours, director Michael Patrick King puts Carrie and her friends through their paces, starting off with Liza Minnelli and the most lavish wedding since Princess Diana wed Prince Charles almost 30 years ago. The action shifts mid-stream to a sub-plot involving the Mid-Eastern city of Abu Dhabi, which reunites Carrie with an old and very important flame.

For most of the movie, Sarah Jessica Parker takes center stage and holds it, forcing her three co-stars to become mere background players in "Sex and the City 2." Cynthia Nixon, usually a dominating force in the "Sex and the City" world, seems like a shadow of herself while Kim Cattrall's sexual high jinks have somehow become old hat. With the exception of Chris Noth, the regular male cast members also are reduced to cameo
appearances.

"Sex and the City" is still a classic

In addition to change, the script also focuses on things that are classic and vintage, like the 1960's era Rolex that Carrie gives to Mr. Big for their two-year anniversary. Fashions may change each year and the economy feels like a rollercoaster ride, but Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are still as classic and classy as they were back when "Sex and the City" debuted on HBO.

And thank goodness for that. "Sex and the City 3" anyone?

"Sex and the City 2," rated R for some strong sexual content and language, currently is playing in theaters nationwide.