'Magic Mike XXL:' Getting Pleasure by Giving It (Review)

In 2012, Steven Soderbergh's male stripper drama/comedy/dance movie Magic Mike became an unexpected hit, grossing more than $150 million off a $7 million budget. With high box office numbers and a low budget, the sequel to Magic Mike was inevitable. 3 years later, we have Magic Mike XXL. Since Soderbergh retired, his longtime collaborator Gregory Jacobs takes on the directing chair with a screenplay by Reid Carolin and Giana Damian. Soderbergh served as cinematographer and co-editor (with Damian). The film brings back Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias. Newcomers to the cast are Jada Pinkett-Smith, Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard, Donald Glover and Elizabeth Banks in a cameo.

3 years after Mike (Tatum) left the Kings of Tampa to start his furniture business and be with his girlfriend Brooke, his former stripper pals Ken, Richie, Tarzan, Tito and Tobias (Bomer, Manganiello, Nash, Rodriguez and Iglesias respectively) roll into town. When they tell him they are going to the biggest stripper convention in Myrtle Beach, he decides to join them for a last hurrah doing what he loves to do with his best friends.

And that's it. That's the whole plot. Magic Mike XXL doesn't force any external bogus conflict like a dance competition or a cash prize that can save the club. It would have been so easy (and cheap) for Mike to rejoin the Kings of Tampa because his business is failing and he needs the money. Most of the stakes are internal and the film is richer for it. The film does bring up some conflict between the guys (particularly about Mike leaving) but the conflicts are resolved organically and naturally. Their friendship drives most of the narrative as well as their passion for dance. These guys want to do the best show they can simply because they love doing what they do.

And also because these guys just love women. Like, they love all women. Mike and his pals perform for women because they enjoy listening to and pleasing them. The film emphasizes that their acts play to women's tastes and fantasies. The thing is, men in Hollywood (and even outside Hollywood) are rarely sexualized in a way that's purely sexual and/or romantic. At least, not to the extent that women are. For example, Dakota Johnson did far more nudity in 50 Shades of Grey than her co-star Jamie Dornan.

And when films do have male nudity, there's always something distancing the film from the female gaze (like comedy or an action scene). Magic Mike XXL is the rare film that devotes itself to the (straight) female gaze and for that, it is unmissable. Surprisingly, there isn't much nudity but these guys are so charming and cool, the film doesn't even need it.

The cast is putting on a great show. Channing Tatum continues to do his best work as Mike. This role, full of self deprecating humor, emotions that are barely articulable and sweet dance moves, is perfect for him. Joe Manganiello gets a "beefier" role here, letting his comedic chops really shine. There's a convenience store scene that he just kills. Matt Bomer is excellent as Ken, and he gets to sing which is great. Adam Rodriguez, Kevin Nash and Donald Glover are having a blast; these are just fun guys doing fun things.

The ladies in the cast fare quite well too. Jada Pinkett-Smith and Andie MacDowell steal the show with some fun performances. Amber Heard is miles ahead of Magic Mike's Cody Horn in terms of charisma and sense of humor. Behind the scenes, director Gregory Jacobs keeps this film natural and easy-going. The choreography is energetic and acrobatic. The cinematography and editing work quite well. My one complaint is that, at 115 minutes, Magic Mike XXL runs just a bit too long. It could have been trimmed by 10-15 minutes.

So, yes, you should go see Magic Mike XXL. It's a really fun time in the theater. The way it doesn't shoehorn random/cheap conflict is brilliant. Its use of the female gaze is spectacular. And the soundtrack is killer. One of the best uses of "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys. And, if anything, just see it for the dance.

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