Attack of the Clones

The archetypal hero, said mythologist Joseph Campbell, embarks on an odyssey through a realm of strange forces and finally triumphs, gaining the prize of self-knowledge. Campbell, the philosopher-king of "Star Wars" fanatics, also could've been describing the archetypal heroine. Or heroines: four of them, who set off to conquer a larger-than-life version of New York, battling against bad sex, couture crises and men who wouldn't commit. By the end, they'd won it all: true love, self-worth and fabulous shoes.

Now the prospect of seeing the "Sex and the City" girls go through one more mythopoetic cycle is causing epic preparations. To celebrate the movie's May 30 opening weekend, devotees can enter a "SATC" look-alike contest at Boston's Underbar, brunch with Baltimore's "Girls in the City" social club or indulge in a package at New York's Mandarin Oriental hotel featuring "Mr. Big Apple-tini" cocktails and trips to Jimmy Choo. Patricia Field, the show's costume designer, is peddling bejeweled apple pendants and cosmo flasks on her Web site.

Most fans, though, will just round up their posse and head to the theater in style; a few plan to dress as their favorite characters. "I've always identified with Carrie," says Rozy Lewis, a Manhattan party planner who's leaning toward a ball gown-and-cardigan ensemble. By dressing up, viewers may be trying to capture the myth's magic—like men wearing Yoda costumes to see "Star Wars." But before you smirk at the attack of the Carrie clones, consider this: at least the ladies look good in their outfits.

© 2008