As a self-confessed watcher of the TV series “Sex and the City,” I was extremely impressed by Adam’s assessment of “a healthy exercise in understanding the human condition,” because in the end we’re all human and that, to me, is what SaTC stood for all those years ago.

I was at the 4:45 show yesterday. Here is my review…

The film is an absolute treat for long-time watchers of the show. All the familiar characters get significant moments, of course centered around Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw.

Many of the extensive surprises come early in the long film, and the preliminary job of setting up everything requires some slow pacing in the beginning, but this is a minor complaint within the whole context.

As it moves into the second act, which interestingly enough becomes the “second act” for all of the four galpals, it straps in (watch it) for a journey of the heart, which anyone who has ever tried to navigate in a relationship will relate to.

All of the men have very small supporting roles, but they use their screen time effectively. Chris Noth, as the mysterious Mr. Big, takes advantage of his long association with the character by allowing him to be more open and vulnerable than ever. I related to how he reacted to the burden he puts upon himself, it seemed a natural reaction to real-life dilemma.

David Eisenberg, as Miranda’s put-upon husband Steve, plays with emotion openly, both in raw wound agony and sunny happiness. He has many thankless situations in the screenplay, but handles all with the keen opportunity of a seasoned acting pro.

But SaTC is really about the “Glam Foursome,” and while the fashions and accessories they sport are mind-numbingly materialistic, it fortunately never gets in the way of the emotional substance. Sarah Jessica Parker absof**klutely knows Carrie and does as well with her emotional dread as her affable clotheshorse NYC writer.

The other three all have just great moments to chew on, and follow through on their characters from the TV series succinctly. Kristin Davis as Charlotte, never one of my favorites (too whiny), distinguishes herself with two intensely memorable moments, and never wanders from the essence of her now overly “happy” character (she even comments upon that strange state of mind).

Cynthia Nixon, who arguably has been the most high profile besides Sarah since the show ended, has to deal with anger issues through most of the film, but comes through in the small moments. And blithe Kim Catrall takes both sushi and independence to a new level, with her always entertaining Samantha (she is the “Sex” in the title).

This is a film, adapted from a TV show, that always had the guiding forces of care and love upon it. The screenplay, by director Michael Patrick King (a long time associate with the series) overcomes its sticky early points to flower into a valentine for this particular universe, where the struggle for identity never has an age, and the need for one another is a universal truth.

Congratulations to all involved.

4-1/2 out of 5

Click here to read my preliminary thoughts on “Sex and the City” on my daily The Last Blog in Cyberspace.

Patrick McDonald is film critic and writer for this very web publication. And he is also in a band! www.myspace.com/thetelepaths