Magic Mike XXL
(2015)Come again.
Channing Tatum revisits his exploits as a male stripper in this steamy sequel (that he also co-wrote). Three years after retiring, "Magic Mike" Lane reunites most of his old gang - with the exception of Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) - for one final explosive performance. Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard, Jada Pinkett Smith and Elizabeth Banks co-star alongside the sea of abs and testosterone. Stepping into the director’s chair is Gregory Jacobs, Steven Soderbergh’s (director of the original) long-time assistant director and co-producer.
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Directed by Gregory Jacobs ('Wind Chill', 'Criminal')
Starring Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodríguez, Gabriel Iglesias, Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard, Jada Pinkett Smith, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover
Written by Reid Carolin, Channing Tatum
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 5 providers
Flicks Review
BY Leonie Hayden Flicks Writer
“This isn’t bro time, this is show time!” So proclaims a strip club MC in the sequel to Steven Soderbergh’s 2012 surprise hit Magic Mike. XXL definitely contains more bro and show than its predecessor.... More
Three years have passed since Mike (Channing Tatum), now the owner of a successful furniture business, got out of “male entertainment”. He discovers his old troupe, the Kings of Tampa, are heading to a stripping convention for one last hurrah, their leader Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) having flown the coop with The Kid (Alex Pettyfer). Mike decides to throw in his lot for old time’s sake and hit the road.
As well as losing two of the first film’s leads, XXL has also lost much of its Hollywood convention - preconceptions of roadtrip movies, love interests, straight white men and the three act structure are tested throughout. It’s a good natured, homo-social buddy film that lets the characters reveal themselves over time, elicits laughs through casual drug use and dick jokes, and has decided to throw a super inclusive diversity party where ladies of all ages, colours, shapes and sizes are celebrated and seen to.
The choreography has been taken to new creative heights. Floor humping to Ginuwine is a thing of the past - the acrobatics in Tatum’s routines had the audience gasping. African American dance and LGBTI voguing culture are showcased too (the latter felt a tad trivialised, although the intention seemed honourable).
There is at least one scene that borders on the uncomfortably voyeuristic, but director Gregory Jacobs’ adopted Soderberghian naturalism works for the most part, providing plenty of laughs and proving once again that Channing Tatum would be totally awesome to hang out with in real life.Hide
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Magic Mike XXL
BY KTurner superstar
The dancing was amazing, the bodies were amazing, the story line was more enjoyable than the first film and did I mention the dancing!? However aside from the pretty men and beautiful bodies, the story line was still a bit of a bore. Definitely worth a watch as it will bring a smile to your face but don't expect an Oscar winning plot.
The Press Reviews
63%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
It’s more glammed-up, rising above any element of tawdry exploitation, and is more of an outright comedy. Full Review
Magic Mike XXL is ridiculously entertaining. Full Review
More than the first Magic Mike, XXL is a loose, shambling party bus—or party organic fro-yo food truck, to be more exact... Full Review
Less improvised, borderline cheesy but still very fun sequel. Full Review
Magic Mike XXL is most fun when it isn’t trying to justify itself, but just kicking back with the guys. Full Review
Packed tight, Jacobs’ straightforward sequel may boast less up top than the Soderbergh-directed original, but still bulges where it counts. Full Review
This one takes all of the original’s surface — chiefly the hip gyrations — and none of the substance, interesting character arcs or charms. Full Review
We’re always waiting for something important or interesting to happen, but it never really does. Full Review
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