Battle of the Sexes - Sex and the City or Sex on Two Legs

Someone somewhere seems to be labouring under the misapprehension that Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is not for the ladies. Someone somewhere believes that women prefer shoes and no-detail-is-too-small accounts of sexual frolics to Jake Gyllenhaal's chest embiggened on a 20 foot theatre screen for two full hours.


Warner Brothers, brazenly ignoring the fact that women only went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic because of its Prince of Persia poster glimpse, has opted to release the second Sex and the City movie (entitled Sex and the City 2) on 28 May 2010, the same day as the movie that Gyllenhaalics, gamers and all people who have blood flowing through their veins have been longing to see since its cruel postponement.

But for all those ten people who fear they may undergo a conflict of interest on 28 May - a moment's hesitation when standing before the publicity poster of four women and their handbags on one side of the ticket desk and a poster of a half naked, sword wielding Jake Gyllenhaal on the other side - here are some reasons why PoP will give you all you need.


If you want shoes, Prince Dastan does not always go around bare - he has boots. Not only are they sexy, they're also practical and hardwearing. Although designed for desert conditions, they would be perfectly at home in the city, whatever the weather. They also have a retro look about them - very chic.

Fashion is important whether you're a 21st-century business woman in the city or a 6th-century prince in Persia. If you want to be a leader, to be a power player, you have to get the look right. Obviously, for battles, one may want a few more leather straps, a few more metal studs, but for down time, for those plunges into fountains and oasis springs, or for relaxing under billowing silks and a red setting sun, less is more.


Handbags are for the past. Why have a handbag when you can have a handy pouch, or a horse saddle?

Don't talk to the prince about shopping for accessories - he'll rave for hours on the merits of his latest necklace, scimitar and multi-purpose glove.


If you want to hear long discussions about sex and relationships gone awry, you don't need SATC2 - just go and see PoP and behold the troubles that this poor prince gets himself into. Not only does he have to grapple with a feisty princess with a wayward tongue, but the object of his desires frequently tries to kill him. That's a bit more serious than anything SITC2 can give you. Not only that, the prince has a plunge pool.


And if it's scraps you're after, never mind the pillow fights or slapped faces of SATC2, in PoP you get full blown desert warfare, you may even get camels.

I don't want to underestimate the appeal of shopping, of meeting friends for lunch or afternoon tea, but the prince doesn't have to worry about hailing cabs, sitting in traffic, waiting in line, or slow service in a restaurant. His honed parkour skills mean he can be anywhere anytime and, if you have bags, the prince has muscles - lots of muscles - big muscles. And he can always give you a lift...


So will you spend 28 May 2010 with Carrie or with Dastan?

Includes pictures from IHJ.