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"Not all love stories are epic novels," Carrie Bradshaw reverently announces in one of those familiar voiceovers. She's quite right. Some love stories are overlong films.

Make no mistake, 'Sex and The City: The Movie' lovingly recreates the lives of New York's four most talkative, sex-obsessed, fashion-conscious friends, their relationships, their quirks. And it does feel like you're catching up with old friends, which is always a good thing.

But, by basically trying to cram an entire season into 150 minutes, it's simply too much of a good thing. Long-time series mastermind Michael Patrick King might know exactly how columnist Carrie likes her Cosmopolitans, but when it comes to writing and directing his first film, not so much.

By aiming to tell four stories stretching over a year, the nimble, glittering TV show is now a bit flabby. Lingering on certain moments, simply rushing through others, before literally glossing over months, King's effort sometimes feels like a collection of individual scenes, little vignettes, music montages and series outtakes cobbled together by the ever-present Bradshaw narration. He's going for depth, but our ladies' adventures end up feeling a little superficial. And, come to think of it, familiar.

Will Carrie and on-again off-again on-again beau Mr Big finally walk down the aisle? Will uptight lawyer Miranda manage to juggle the demands of a career and caring for two kids (her son and husband)? Will sex-crazed Samantha be able to stay faithful to TV star boytoy Smith? And will sweet Charlotte learn to loosen up a little? Although set four years after the series ended, with slutty Sam now living in LA, these are all questions we've asked before. But this time, we get some answers. And the hope of a sequel.

We also get unexpected moments of slow-motion sappiness (for the hopeless romantics), toilet humour (for the men dragged along by their partners?), and graphic nudity (for him and her) as King seemingly tries to spice up his story. It works, but perhaps fleshing out the character of Carrie's new assistant, Louise, would have been time better spent. Played by 'Dreamgirl' Jennifer Hudson, she injects some spunk — although, like most of the supporting cast, isn’t given much to do. Even Big, now complete with minor cosmetic surgery, is just left standing around looking permatanned.

Then again, the focus has always been on the four women and their happily-ever-afters. Even if the sparkling 'Sex and the City: The Movie' occasionally teeters in its Manolos, is weighed down by its Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, and encumbered by its Louis Vuitton handbag, that's one thing it gets so right.