The continental premiere of 'Sex and the City' the movie might have been panned by critics but was still a huge hit with fans.

It was a long and uncertain four years but German fans of the New York femme quartet finally got their chance to see the movie continuation of the American hit series, Sex and the City, as it made its debut on the continent Thursday.

Hundreds gathered in Berlin with crowds lining the red carpet at the capital's Potsdamer Platz Sony Center to catch a glimpse of the film's stars and get an autograph. 

The movie is the first continental big screen outing for the long running TV show which documents the romantic adventures of four New York women. The series is immensely popular in Germany, where it is broadcast on national network ARD, and where the German woman who does the voice of Carrie is also a star. 

Still, no one has satisfactorily answered the question: Why did the movie premiere in London on Monday then Berlin and not New York, certainly also a star of the hit series?

Panned 

In London, fans gushed over the stars and their wardrobe as critics gave the thumbs down: "There may be a problem with stretching Sex and the City into a two hour and twenty minute film -- it can feel like a never-ending dinner party: however pleasant the courses, after a while you can hardly eat another one," wrote The Times of London.

It was no different in Berlin. Early leaks of reviews showed a decided disdain for the film.

Still, fans had stood patiently for hours waiting for the first celebrities to arrive, erupting into a frenzy when fans' favourite Parker stepped out of the limo and onto the walkway. 

The actress was followed by co-stars Cynthia Nixon, Kim Catrall and Kristin Davis. It took almost a half hour for Catrall to walk along the red carpet due to the sheer number of fans lining the way and demanding autographs. 

Onlookers were delighted that all four of the film's stars had made it to Berlin for the premiere. It is quite unusual for the full cast of a major film to attend showings in continental Europe. 

"We've been waiting for four hours just to see the stars," said one fan from Berlin. "This is amazing." 

Much to the annoyance of fans, Davis did not stop to sign any autographs, instead hurrying straight to the VIP and press area after getting out of her car. 

Regardless, devotees who missed the opening can catch her and the rest of the gang in cinemas across Europe from May 28 and two days later in the US. And just maybe, as Cattral mused in London, there will be a sequel.

-- Dominic Hinde