“Every spring the women of New York leave the foolish choices of their past behind and look ahead to the future,” purrs Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) in yet another voiceover.

“This is known as Fashion Week.”

Uh oh. I’m only halfway through Sex and the City: The Movie and already I’m fighting the urge to flip off the DVD and tune into Movie Central where Steven Seagal’s latest direct to DVD thriller Pistol Whipped is making its network premiere.

However with $390 million in worldwide box office SATC was one of the biggest hits of the summer and now that the feature length film version of the popular HBO series (1998-2004) is out on DVD it is a little hard to ignore even if this reviewer does feel a little out of his comfort zone. (As I sat alone in my darkened living room/screening room listening to girl talk about love, relationships, sex and shoes I felt like a guy who snuck into a sorority party and is trapped in the powder room.)

Most viewers who are fans of the series have already seen the movie during its theatrical run. However, for the rest of you, the movie is set four years after the series finale. Carrie is still in NYC, writing for Vogue, happily co-habiting with Big (Chris Noth) and talking about marriage. (Oh, and just for the record, Big now has a name – John James Preston).

Miranda is living in Brooklyn, married to good ol’ Steve (David Eigenberg) and struggling to juggle her roles as lawyer, wife and mom. The strain has taken its toll on her libido. Still she is furious when Steve confesses he has cheated on her.

Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is in L.A. and managing the career of hunky actor/boyfriend Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis). She has managed to remain faithful for five years but monogamy is not really part of her nature and she keeps casting longing glances at her horndog next door neighbour.

Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and homely hubby Harry (Evan Handler) are wallowing in wedded bliss in the suburbs. The couple has even adopted an adorable little Chinese girl and now Charlotte has learned she is pregnant.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a chick flick without an emotional crisis or two. Miranda kicks Steve out of the house, Carrie’s frenzied wedding plans hit a speed bump and Samantha dumps her boy toy.

I remember early episodes of the series being more frivolous and, frankly, a lot more fun but then for writer/director Michael Patrick King and co-producer Parker that’s probably the point.

After all, these women are now in their 40s and they can hear the clock ticking. And, besides, I’m not really the target demographic for this film anyway. Women will no doubt appreciate the soapy melodrama, great fashions, female bonding and clever digs at the cluelessness of the male of the species. Me, I’m just waiting for something to blow up.