The Sex in the City Trailer is Surprisingly Unfunny

February 24th, 2008, 5 Comments »

As you’ve probably heard, they’ve made a movie version of Sex in the City (thanks to Rebekah for pointing to the trailer). Much like The X-Files movie and The Simpsons movie, this badboy is money in the bank. It may not be a humongous blockbuster, but I’m sure the brand is strong enough to survive any initial negative reviews.

And really brutal reviews are unlikely, because the producers just have to follow their successful TV formula. The trick is to make a risk-free, good enough film. The trailer suggests that they’ve done that:

My only complaint: there are few, if any, funny moments in the trailer. I was never a loyal watcher of the TV show, but I saw several episodes. I always thought they were moderately funny, and occasionally hilarious.

The movie may actually be funnier than is portrayed in the trailer. They appear to be trading on the show’s ‘Friends 4 Eva’ theme, as opposed to the show’s cheeky and occasionally raunchy humour. That probably reflects what the producers think will play with the film’s target demographic.

The trailer features a cover of Don Henley’s “The Heart of the Matter”. I’ve always thought that was a terrific song, and I dig this version by India.Arie (yes, her name comes with that ridiculous, ostentatious period). You can hear it as the background for one of the kajillion photo+song montages on YouTube.

I just checked out her first single from 2002. It uses one of the oldest tricks in the record industry–make sure the musician names herself in the course of her lyrics.

For a related video, check out this quite funny SNL spoof.

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