When I first heard rumors of a “Sex and the City” movie, I really hoped that they wouldn’t do it. I just knew that they would have to undo all the loose ends they had so neatly tied up when the series ended, and I hated the idea. The series had ended so nicely.

Well, although I was right — they did mess everything up just so they could put it all together again — they did it very well. And it really was a pleasure to be in the world of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristen Davis) again.

Set four years after the show ended, children have grown (Miranda’s and Charlotte’s), Samantha’s boyfriend, Smith (Jason Lewis), is making it big in Los Angeles with Samantha’s help, and Carrie and Mr. Big, aka John Preston (Chris Noth), are moving in together.

The main plot line of the movie revolves around Carrie and Big’s decision to get married. But each character gets her own “drama” to work out: Charlotte gets pregnant, Miranda’s husband cheats on her and Samantha hates L.A.

The best thing about the movie is how exactly like the show it is. Each of the actors stepped easily back into their parts as if they had never been away. The characters, and the way they are portrayed, are exactly right.

At just over two hours, the movie is like a mini season of episodes fused together. This is both a strength and a weakness for the movie.

It is a strength because it has the familiar rhythm of the show: It is almost possible to tell where the movie could be cut to make at least four or five episodes.

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It is also a weakness because the restrictions of a movie time frame meant that things were tidied up at the end much more quickly than was entirely satisfying. Not that the end isn’t satisfying, just how they got there: It was a little too fast and a little too neat.

There were some aspects of the Carrie/Big plot that felt a bit forced for the sake of propelling the story forward, and that was a bit disappointing, as well.

However, Miranda and Samantha’s story lines had none of that feel to them. Everything they each went through felt realistic and totally in character for each. For that matter, so did Charlotte’s plot.

They managed to include almost every regular guest star: David Eigenberg as Steve Brady, Evan Handler as Harry Goldenblatt, Willie Garson as Stanford, Mario Cantone as Anthony, Lynn Cohen as Magda and Candice Bergen as Enid Frick.

There was a newcomer to the film: Jennifer Hudson as Louise, a personal assistant Carrie hires.

Hudson did a nice job, helping to organize Carrie’s life and helping to keep her grounded, as well. Louise in no way supplants any of the other girls in Carrie’s life, but by being a young twentysomething, she helps Carrie by reminding her of how far she’s come. She also gives Carrie something other than herself to focus on.

For those who knew and loved the series, the movie will not disappoint. The clothes, the girls and the cosmopolitans are back in good form.

For those who didn’t watch the show, there is a little primer during the opening credits to give an idea of how each came to be where they are when we meet them again. It is hard for me to know if the movie would lead those who didn’t see the series to seek out the show on DVD, but my guess is it just might.

There is something infectious about Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte and their relationships with each other, with clothes and with New York City. Once they’ve caught you, they’re hard to resist.

(4 out of 5 stars)

Amanda Brooks can be reached at 737-1057 or at abrooks@lompocrecord.com.