Magic Mike XXL, 2015.
Directed by Gregory Jacobs.
Starring Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, Gabriel Iglesias, Adam Rodriguez, Jada Pinkett Smith and Amber Heard.
SYNOPSIS:
Three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, he and the remaining Kings of Tampa hit the road to Myrtle Beach to put on one last blow-out performance.
The first Magic Mike blasted onto screens in 2012 to surprise success. What could have been a dull flick about male strippers had surprising depth and was an interesting commentary on the economic crisis. It’s sequel helmed by former DOP Gregory Jacobs doesn’t delve into too much depth with a sequel that is jam-packed with nudity, gags and a lot of lingering looks.
We pick up 3 years after the first film. Mike (Tatum) now owns his own furniture business and is finding himself a bit bored and lonely. The other male entertainers aren’t doing too good after Matthew McConaughey’s Dallas from the first film has absconded to Europe with “The Kid” from the first movie. The lads get together for one last hurrah and what ensues is a road trip to a stripper convention in Myrtle Beach.
Whilst this second outing is fun and enjoyable to watch it is weighted down with a severe lack of plot which means the film lacks any real direction. Romances are thrown in and never explored – Amber Heard plays a stroppy 20-something artsy type who barely registers – some scenes drag on for what feels like a millennia and there are some truly cringe inducing moments throughout. There were times when watching the film where I completely forgot why characters were in certain places and situations and not in a good way. The film leaps from scene to scene without the finesse required for a good screenplay.
Now on board as cinematographer; Steven Soderbergh makes each shot look exquisite and the choreography of the dance sequences is exceptional. Each cast member gets a moment to shine and it genuinely feels that they’re each having a good time gyrating and oiling themselves up on stage. The standout performance is Joe Manganiello’s Richie who offers some hilarious moments. One stand out scene in the movie involves a massive drug high where he attempts to seduce the grumpiest desk clerk known to man. It’s moments like this that demonstrate how good a film Magic Mike XXL could have been. Unfortunately its lack of plot render it as a by the numbers sequel with nothing much to offer.
Exploring the supporting characters from the first film is enjoyable and the film could have been an excellent bromance tale. Unfortunately it feels bloated and save for a few genuinely funny moments and some great dancing/stripping it doesn’t deliver.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Helen Murdoch is a freelance writer – Follow me on Twitter
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