User reviews

As a huge fan of Ab Fab I was looking forward to this a lot. What's more, I wasn't worried about the quality of the writing, as the special Olympic episodes merely a few years ago stood up to the original shows quality. I wouldn't say my expectations were particularly high nonetheless, I didn't expect anything groundbreaking, merely something in the range of The Last Stand or Gay. Alas, the film doesn't quite live up to any of that.

Overall, it ends up just being a homage to the original series. The majority of the screen time is stuffed with "LOOK! CELEBRITY CAMEO! YEAH WE GOT THEM!" or "HEY REMEMBER THAT ONE JOKE FROM THAT ONE EPISODE? HERES A REFERENCE TO THAT!" I came out of the theatre disappointed and just craving to go home and re-watch the original show.

Honestly, I think a huge part of it's weakness is it totally drops the strengths of the original series. Some of the original series funniest moments were it's overly dramatic monologues, laden with smart insults and often traded between Patsy/Saffy or Edina/Saffy. There isn't really any of that here.

If you are a huge fan like myself, I'd still recommend seeing it. I think, like me, you may end up disappointed, unless you are such a die hard fan you are blinded by the weaker writing quality, but it's still worth a watch to judge for yourself, and the film still has a couple moments worth seeing. It's not very long either, or at least doesn't feel too long, so at least you won't feel like you've wasted your time.

Either way, it's obvious this film is largely the result of a bet between Saunders and Dawn French. It lacks the soul of the original series, and while it isn't awful, it's just not good either.

This film is lighthearted, funny and crazy from beginning to end. If you were a fan of the TV show, I think you're more likely to enjoy it because you would understand the silliness and not expect it to be amazing. This film shows the return of Patsy, Edina and Saffy, along with some new characters and many celebrity cameos.

One of the new characters we see in the film is Edina's granddaughter; Lola. Lola appears frequently throughout but fails to engage the audience. The character is weak and I think shouldn't appear as often as she does in the film.

From the very beginning of this film we notice there are many celebrity cameos in this film, 60 in total. Many of these celebrities only appear for a minute each, but some of them are not needed at all as they only say a word or two. Despite this, many of the other celebrity appearances are very amusing and bring a smile to our faces. For example, Rebel Wilson, Lulu etc.

Overall, this film is crazy, amusing and doesn't fail to make you smile. It is definitely aimed at people who were fans of the TV show, as it brings a sense of nostalgia and reuses some of the classic jokes used in the show. The story line is bonkers, but that's what we expect from Patsy and Edina. Some characters definitely shouldn't have been included as they don't add anything to the film and appear to be used to fill time. If you weren't a fan of the show, I'd give this one a miss.

I was looking forward to seeing this after watching the brilliant TV series years ago. I thought it would be a golden opportunity to being the characters up to date and make something really special.

However, I spent the entirety of the film waiting for it to pick up and gain the pace we are used to which made the TV series so brilliant. It felt as though the script had been stretched out to fill the allocated time.

There is nothing wrong with the acting, and all the favourite characters are in the film - but also (and probably to the film's detriment) are hoards of minor celebrities and wannabes who serve little function in the story. It seemed as though anyone who was remotely connected to the clique of luvvy land was included for no reason at all.

Another thing which I think played a role in the lack lustre end product was that Jennifer Saunder's played down Edina's character - which lacked the punch and sparkle of her original portrayal.

Overall it was an OK kind of film, but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to watch it again. You would be better off and get more entertainment value from watching replays of the original series.

A movie produced on the same material 25 years after the heyday of a television show will take a toll on quality. At the time, the Dawn French / Joana Lumley show traded on its subversive material and outrageous performances. Since then the world has moved dramatically toward the outpost the two established for themselves putting the show's aesthetic somewhere in the middle of the culture. So relying on the same shock value jokes from the early 90's results in the film's now mildly eye-raising but still mostly funny lines. All of the standbys from the original appear: Eddie gives her daughter poor parenting advice, her daughter lectures her to be more conservative, Lumley pulls out her "Pat Stone" routine at one point, she blacks out, etc., etc., etc. Vintage stuff if a little worn. The softness of the script benefits from a very long list of cameos although American audiences will miss many of the local British faces who didn't quite become global names. In short, like "Zoolander 2", AbFab the movie relies more on nostalgia than good writing but for hardcore fans that may be enough.

Several years on from when we last saw Patsy and Eddy, Patsy is still in her fashion critic role but Eddie's fortunes have waned. Her list of PR clients is limited and low-key and her memoirs are not going to get published. While attempting to gain Kate Moss as a client, Eddie accidentally pushes her into the River Thames. Moss does not reappear and Eddie becomes a murder suspect, and Public Enemy Number 1. To escape the publicity Eddie and Patsy head for Nice.

Being a fan of the TV series I did not have great expectations for this movie. TV-to-movie conversions seldom work and in this case the TV series finished four years previously and was pretty much done long before that.

In the end, I was right about the conversion aspect - there's not enough material to sustain a feature film and the movie is festooned with silly scenes to pad out the time. The characters haven't aged well, and Joanna Lumley's script has not really adapted to their aging, seeming to still be based in the 90s in terms of character traits. Saffy / Julia Sawalha and Bubble / Jane Horrocks are particularly hard done by in this regard.

This said, its not all bad. There is a great swipe at the pretentiousness of the fashion industry and the superficiality of the media. There are also a few very funny moments. While the main characters feel like they're misplaced in time, and are living off old glories, some of the secondary characters make up for this. Kathy Burke as Magda is particularly entertaining.

Ultimately quite uneven with just enough good bits to make it likable.

I was really hoping this would be as funny and clever as the TV series, unfortunately it was torture to sit through, i so wanted to get up and leave and tbh i wouldn't have missed a thing if i did as it didn't get any better. It was an even keel of rubbish.

I can't believe the BBC were behind this embarrassing movie, i guess they saw £pound signs first, which is fair enough but PLEASE make a bit of effort at least! And i couldn't believe when the credits rolled to reveal that Jennifer Saunders wrote the screenplay.

I remember Keith Lemon:The Film getting panned by the critics and public, this is easily as bad or worse!

The celebrity cameo's in this movie were embarrassing to watch and they will surely regret there decisions to be in this once they see it for themselves. And the non "celebrity" actors/actresses involved seemed as if they were pulled off the street, very amateur and over the top, like Edina's granddaughter Lola for example.

The movie felt sooo cheap considering the glamour involved with the characters. Patsy and Edina did the best they could to wring laughs from every situation but it just didn't work...i just can't believe Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley went through with this without some sort of clearer plan to make it a fun movie at least even if it wasn't as laugh-out-loud, i mean there TV shows were all well made! It felt like it was trying to be a American comedy movie in its form but it came across more like those cheap and nasty cash-in American spoof movies like Epic Movie, Disaster Movie, etc., which you would probably get more laughs from tbh.

In an audience of about 30 people there was only a few slight giggles from a couple of people throughout the whole film which isn't really enough to qualify as a comedy success sorry to say. I watched Central Intelligence last week and that had the same audience reaction BUT it was a fun movie and i left with a smile on my face so i gave that an average 6/10, just for the fun factor.

I liked the Absolutely Fabulous trailer so all i can say is if you like the trailer then just be prepared for that to be the best thing about this whole project.

1/10

This film tells the story of two high profile publicists in London, who are on the run because they accidentally pushed Kate Moss into River Thames during a red carpet party.

"Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie" is purely silly but it's entertaining and glamorous. It is fun to watch the numerous cameos, and Joan Collins who is in the film for only two seconds but receives a credit! Kate Moss and Emma Bunton are both great to watch, I think how Kate lost track of time is hilarious. The locations are full of fabulousness, especially that house they live in with a huge indoor swimming pool next to the lounge!

It's a great way to spend time thinking about nothing and have a laugh.

Just seeing this duo lights up my eyes and I was so worried the film version just wouldn't cut it... Think Mrs Browns Boys, or Sex And The City.

I'd compare it to SpiceWorld The Movie (ridiculousness, OTT, and NUMEROUS cameos) mixed with a UK Version of The Hangover (Drunken mess, lots of alcohol and sticky situations).

I saw a review where they said the funniness wanes when the cast head to France but this was actually my favourite part. Good ending too.

Only drawback...It all went pear-shaped a bit too quickly.. they could have dragged it out just a LITTLE longer and the 'happy ending' just seemed to come together very quickly!

WORST PART : WHY DID THEY RE-DO THE FAMOUS THEME TUNE WITH KYLIE EFFING MINOGUE! not happy about that!! :(

It started very slowly, and at first I was really worried that this was nothing but a cash grab...after they "killed" Kate Moss, though, it really took off! In lieu of a "review", I've got bullet points:

*Stella McCartney was totally hilarious, but only if you know your Beatles

*It saddens me to say, but the least funny person in this film is...BUBBLE??? Let me put it this way - in "AF:tM", she is the equivalent of Jack Black in "Tropic Thunder"

*Saffy's tirade is hysterically funny...but only if you watched the series

*I recognized Barry Humphries in his 2 seconds as Dame Edna, but NOT as Charles...I didn't realize it until the credits

*I LOVED the homage to "Some Like it Hot"!!

I'm from someone who is a massive fan of the TV series, the film didn't disappoint. No it's not particularly original, nor is it the best comedy Saunders herself has written, but this film is so feel good you can't help but grin, giggle and laugh-out-loud throughout.

The film is brisk and whips by very quickly. Though the story is often disjointed, it's not where the film goes it's what happens while you're there. Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are just a joy to watch and there's a ton of fan service as practically everyone who has ever been in the show makes an appearance here.

I came out of the cinema grinning ear to ear, which oddly not all comedies manage to do. It was like going for meal with an old friend that always makes you laugh.

If you weren't a fan of the show steer well clear - this is not a film for you. To those that did enjoy the show it's a must see. No it's not going to win any awards (though Joanna Lumley is such a terrific comedy actress), nor is it going to challenge the convention of comedy, but it is going to make you happy. Isn't that comedy was created for?

Absolutely Fabulous Sweetie Darling!

If you are a fan of the first three of the six seasons of Absolutely fabulous like I was, you might be,disappointed in this long awaited movie. This movie seems to have been written by the writers of seasons 4-6. Writers of Seasons 4-6 seemed to believe saying "Sweetie Darling" would get laughs, and they were wrong! This movie seems to be an unedited/uncensored two part episode from season 6 that somehow was a turned into a theatrical release. Just like seasons 4-6, this move was bland but amusing. Footnote: Get a load of a certain British starlet from 1950s on up who was doing cameos near the end.. She should put together an info-mercial on the Botox she used. You would never believe that's her at eighty plus of age.

I own every DVD of every AbFab show, and I still enjoy them today as I did when they were on BBC. I wish I could rate this a 10, but I am being extremely generous rating it a 6.

What went wrong: Jennifer Saunders wrote a weak script devoid of the essence that made the show what it was in the 90s. It actually started out pretty good. It opens at a fashion catwalk show, and the stumbling duo make a funny entrance. The film kept up that tone until Kate Moss lands in the water.

Then, it's like we are watching another movie. Saunders reverts to a strong story-line, and the movie begins to go south from there on. The original show was never so much about the story as it was about the interaction between the cast members, the situations they found themselves in, (like in the Courtroom after being busted for something usually relating to drugs) as well as the slapstick antics pulled off by the fidgety, head shaking Saunders and the tramp, her pal Lumley; both were on a 24 hour buzz from the 70s, consuming every drug in the universe 24/7 to the point where walking was a full time job I felt Lumley seemed to 'try too hard' in this film, to the point of appearing nasty.

My main problem with the film is the fact that the two lead characters were heartless and cruel. They think they may have drowned Bubble while using her to find Kate moss in the Thames River. They drag her along on a rope, submerged in the river. After the rope brakes, Patsy says "Don't worry about it, they'll never trace it back to us". Edna agrees and smiles with no remorse as to the possible death of her friend and secretary. This attitude plays through the entire movie, especially with Patsy appearing completely heartless. If you can't like your lead characters, you can't like the movie. Being crazy is one thing, being heartless, and nasty is another.

Of course we can't ever forget about Bubble (Edna's PA). I haven't decided whether she was under utilized in this installment, or out to lunch. Either way, it was disappointing to me, because she was one of my favorite characters on the TV show. She's in the movie, but her role just wasn't as as funny or unique as it was in the series.

I also thought Saunders overdid the Botox. She was almost expressionless and appeared to be plastic with little of her former energy. When she fell out of her car as she did a thousand times in the TV show, we laughed. Now, it looked like it hurt, and it seemed difficult for her to do. Perhaps she was actually too fat at this point in her life, to comfortably play her fat self character Edna.

The direction by Mandie Fletcher was embarrassing to watch. The script played out so convoluted, and disjointed, it might have been directed by Barnum and Bailey. However, the HD cinematography was spectacular, colorful, and beautiful to watch; the wardrobe was glorious, and so were locations chosen for the film.

Also on the plus side, it was great to see the old gang back together again, and a special shout out to June Whitfield, who at 92 years of age, gave the best performance of the lot, and had lost none of her character's essence. Her performance, along with Julia Sawalha's surprising singing abilities, were bonus surprises that I truly enjoyed.

I really hate to see AbFab go out like this, but you reap what you sew, and Saunders fell a bit short of being a master seamstress in this attempt at a modern day AbFab. However, I'm still glad she made the film. The visuals were enough to save it.

"Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie" from 2016 stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley - who else - and the rest of the cast from the TV show.

Edwina (Saunders) is accused of pushing Kate Moss into the river, and probably killing her, during a party. Then Edwina and Patsy are afraid they've killed Bubble (Jane Horrocks) in yet another drowning, so they decide to leave the country. There is already a nationwide search for Edwina for Kate Moss' murder. They go to Cannes, taking Saffy's daughter Lola with them because she has credit cards. Patsy's plan is to look up a wealthy beau (Barry Humphries) from years ago and convince him to get married. Things take a decided left turn.

There are many funny things in this movie - it's really for fans of the show, and if you're British it's even better, because many of the guest stars are famous in Britain and not here.

If I'd paid $12 to see this, I would have been mighty disappointed, so I can understand the bad reviews. The cast is terrific, it was wonderful to see them all again, and Edwina's speech at the end is priceless. The guest stars don't add much, and as a feature film, it doesn't make it.

This is a slightly longer TV episode with lots of guest stars thrown in, and that's about it.

I did not hear a laugh throughout the movie theater. I only stayed for 30mins I felt I could be having more laughs at our local ambulance depot went home depressed from spending $32.00 (2 of us) this is a real shocker of a movie. it just ain't funny and you cringe because you are so embarrassed for them. Maybe they desperately need the money, and thought we will jump on the ole gravy train we are all typecast anyhow. should of wrapped it up at the end of series one when at least it was funny,its kinda sad to see such a mass of brilliant English talent plus a pile of money be wasted on this pathetic vehicle. really if I were any of them I would be so embarrassed and so they should be. it really is absolutely awful

So, how can I put this?

This movie was just awful. I mean, I laughed once. ONCE. And that was more because of the laugh from the guy sitting in the theater, seriously...I loved that guys laugh.

Anyway this whole thing was pure nonsense. Terrible plot, terrible forced "jokes", cameos from tired B-list and Z-list celebrities everywhere to fill time, regurgitated tripe that's already been done in the TV show a million times...

I might also add that I had a nap for 15mins before the final scene.

Just don't bother "dahling"!

I am a big fan of the series, often peed my pants laughing because of the quality comedy of the two leads and everyone around them. So with that in mind I was a bit scared to go watch the movie, as we have been served movies-from-TV-shows and they are seldom a good addition to the archive. If you haven't seen the series, don't bother watching the movie, you will not understand it if you don't already know the characters.

Of course there are a lot of jokes and some reference to the series and Edina and Patsy are still absolutely fabulous. We get served a lot of characters from the series and things go extremely south rather quickly, like the series. Some slapstick from Patsy made me laugh out really loud in the cinema.

Because it's a movie everything is bigger: the sets are bigger, the story is bigger (is Kate Moss really dead?), the cast is bigger etc. About the latter: at a certain moment you are just waiting for the next cameo, it gets distracting. And there are quite some continuity mistakes, that always distracts me too.

What seems to be the problem is by making everything bigger, they seem to have forgotten what the strongest part of the series was: the dialogues or monologues with the bitchy remarks back and forth. I missed that. There are some, but not enough, it feels like they had to make way for yet another fabulous set or for the faster pace of the story. Pity.

All in all, I will always love them, but this movie wasn't necessary. For their effort and for the opportunity to get a bit more Absolutely Fabulous, 7 out of 10. But I'm being really kind.

Don't get me wrong, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is watchable, and in places, enjoyable film. You cannot argue that is is entertaining but a film perhaps suited to a made-for- television release opposed to a theatrical run (similar to last year's The Lady in The Van, although I look back on that film feeling that I was too harsh in my judgement and I have warmed to it on successive viewings). I'm sure it will please fans seeing Edina and Patsy back together but I'm unsure whether it was needed or executed to the best of its ability, knowing the talent involved, if not the series or characters. Maybe this would be better on television, in the form of a few specials, as it doesn't quite warrant a cinema visit to the non-fans (but hey, we should always try and support our British Film industry so I won't promote my opinion too loudly).

Please check out my full review of the film, and be sure to let me know what you thought of the movie!

FULL REVIEW: http://goo.gl/qFXYrQ

I was a big fan of the series, so when my neighbor who's never seen Ab Fab wanted to borrow my DVD I knew it isn't just for old fans of the show. We enjoyed the ridiculous Huki Muki event, Julia Sawalha (Saffy) made an awful old 70s song sound sweet and nostalgic, and the locations in France were - absolutely fabulous. Celia Imrie as catty Claudia Bing, Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Lola and many surprise cameos made the movie fun.

Some People need to calm down. This movie is relaxing, mindless fun, which one expects after 20 years. Not modern edgy material but relaxing comedy with characters already established entertaining in an environment of relaxing humour in a stable time span. Which I think this movie delivers. As a relaxing comedy without modern edgy expectations I can rewatch this movie. If you have other expectations see the 20 years of history.