Sex and the City

Fans of "Sex and the City" have waited four long years to see their four favorite New Yorkers back in action.

This weekend, the wait is over.

As you'd expect, the movie version of the HBO series perpetuates the Doris Day-like image of New York...penthouse apartments, good jobs and money to burn.

Sarah Jessica Parker is the narrator, Carrie, the sex and relationships columnist about to marry Mr. Big at last.

Ms. Parker knows her role and brings us along for the ride.
 
New to the proceedings is Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, not as a fifth member of the group, but as Carrie's computer-savvy and organizational whiz assistant. 

She's an engaging screen presence, even in a role such as this.

"Sex and the City" should've expanded the dynamic of the TV show, giving Jennifer Hudson's character a less deferential role, and New York should've gotten the face time that it seemed to have every week on TV.

Still, it's witty, never takes itself seriously, and despite its length is enormously entertaining and even poignant.

What a nice surprise.