Magic Mike

Today I finished watching “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” on Max, but before I talk about that, I feel I should tell everyone what I thought of the previous installments in this franchise. Let’s start off with the first “Magic Mike” movie, released in 2012.

Once you get past the thongs, the uniforms, and the smooth choreographed stripping dance routines – undeniably, the main attraction of “Magic Mike” for most audiences – it’s just another day at the office for director Steven Soderbergh. Filmed with a typical bleach blond color liking, Soderbergh’s performance of the life of star Channing Tatum is actually a very firmly told, often hilarious, boldly clever drama about a man trying to make the most for himself in difficult times. That there are a group of attractive men circling for the excitement of everyone is just one of the ways that Soderbergh and screenwriter Reid Carolin cleverly rewrites the script of this “might be” cliched repetitive story. Glenn Dunks asks in her review, “Why wasn’t this in 3D?”

Tatum stars as “Magic Mike,” a part-time employee and furniture designer who earns a lot dancing at a local Tampa club along with Ritchie (Joe Manganiello), Ken (Matt Domer), Tito (Adam Rodriguez), and Tarzan (WWE wrestler Kevin Nash). Taking “The Kid,” played by Alex Pettyfer, as his student, “Magic Mike” follows their lives in typical Soderbergh direction as their stars appear to be increasing the more money they can score from eager audiences. Supervised by emcee Sallas, played by Matthew McConaughey, this club loves themed dances (Dunks comments, “a patriotic fourth of July bit is particularly fun, as are any involving Bomer living Ken doll) and Soderbergh never shies from portraying it exactly as it should be. A more sheepish director would worry about shredding their masculine image, but he and his cast take the entire enterprise in good humour and make Magic Mike into a rewarding experience outside of the admittedly eye-popping dance routines.”

Dunks continues, “Far from the Showgirls mould of stripper cinema, Magic Mike actually most resembles Dancing at the Blue Iguana. That little known independent feature featured its stars (Daryl Hannah, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Tilly amongst them) exposing a more mundane, but still invigorating and touching side to the industry.” The highs and the lows and the middles of being a dancer, featuring an intense performance from Oh. “Magic Mike” plays more footloose and fancy free, never really going deep into any of the characters outside of Mike, but its grinning, overconfident attitude is always entertaining to watch.

The best moments of “Magic Mike” are the small ones. Dunks credits, “Soderbergh’s films always reward the keen of eye.” Seeing Pettyfer perform a group dance number a little out of sync with the rest, or trying to understand the background conversations of the characters are just some of the additions here. Soderbergh’s visuals are big and bright as always and the soundtrack blasts with a nightclub feel. The actors are consistently fabulous and committed with McConoughey’s Texas charm finally finding a character that fits perfectly. The only real magic in “Magic Mike” is that Soderbergh was able to make a truly great film from what may have been unnecessarily rubbish. Gabriel Iglesias debuts as the DJ Tobias. You can see this now on Netflix or Max.

Next came “Magic Mike XXL,” released in 2015. This is not a movie about a story with the same boring plot: boy meets girl, something happens, boy ends up with girl. No. “Magic Mike” is a series of scenes that follow attractive men, with abs women love who pop, lock, and drop it. “Magic Mike XXL” is the sequel to the first film and stars when the dancer turned carpenter Mike finds himself alone, and the business he left his profitable dancing career for is not as wonderful as he had thought. One day Mike gets a call from his old team: Ken, Ritchie, Tarzan, Tito aka the Kings of Tampa. He decides to go with them to Myrtle Beach for a convention. The group decides that the event will be their last act together before they go their separate ways. And their final act will have them go out with a bang!

However, first, they have to get to Myrtle Beach. One the way their emcee, also their driver, Tobias gets them into an accident, where he is the only person injured. They leave him in the hospital and go on to find their own way. Mike takes them to his old workplace run by the hot Rome, played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Mike has to convince Rome to emcee for them. On their way to Myrtle Beach, they also come across a group of lonely housewives led by outspoken Nancy, played by Andie MacDowell. Nancy lets them borrow her husband’s car to get the rest of the way.

Nabila Hatimy said in her review, “In the cinema you could almost hear the bated breath of the audience as they wait with anticipation for the next dance number.” Unlike the first movie, “Magic Mike XXL” is way better having written off with Dallas’s character and the dance routines will be out of this world for women. The last 20 minutes of the movie is where things get exciting. Each dance member is given their five-minute routine and they really bring it to the crowd.

The movie is good, but there are some flaws undeniably. The most unlikely one was the love interest for Mike. The story could have done without her. In fact, having three women who display demanding on-screen presence looks to outshine all other female actors. This says a lot since the movie used over 900 female extras! The film also stars Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover, Michael Strahan and Stephen “tWitch” Boss.

This is not a movie to watch with someone you are not comfortable with. This is best for women who have a “ladies movie night.” This can also be seen on Netflix and Max.

Now we finally get to “Magic Mike’s Last Dance,” which came out February but on Max 13 days ago.

Mike Lane works as a bartender at upscale parties. At one of the events, the party’s host, Maxandra Mendoza, played by Salma Hayek Pinault, offers him $6,000 to dance for her after learning that used to be a dancer. They spend the night together, and she offers him $60,000 to travel with her to her home in London to become the new choreographer for a new show that will take place at the old theater. She recently received ownership of the theater from her affluent estranged husband, played by Alan Cox, who wants to stop the show from appearing because he thinks it would ruin the family’s name. A local beaurocrat, Edna, played by Vicki Pepperdine, also stands in their way of putting on the show.

Avi Offer said in his review, “Magic Mike's Last Dance isn't as audacious or campy as its predecessors, Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, but it's nonetheless a pleasant, amusing diversion. The screenplay by Reid Carolin takes itself too seriously while meandering with contrived and underdeveloped subplots, i.e. the cheesy romance between Mike and Maxandra, the relationship between Maxandra and her daughter, Phoebe (Nancy Carroll), or between her and her wealthy husband.” It’s refreshing to see a strong role for women in the character of Maxandra – she’s determined, confident and doesn’t let anyone, including her husband, try to shut her down. She refuses to go down without a fight even when the local authorities show up to shut down the show. “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” doesn’t succeed in humanizing its characters enough, but the one who’s most humanized is Maxandra. Offer says, “Unfortunately, all of the drama that takes place outside beyond the theater feels very bland and hackneyed while lacking in surprises, boldness and even sexiness.” There are a few scenes that stand out, however, because they’re outrageously funny and allow the film to feel refreshing, like the scene on the bus when the dancers put on a dance to try and seduce Edna. Of course, the plan works, and the comedic beats in the next scene when Edna, unsurprisingly, suddenly approves of the show, do actually work. The beats also work during the strip show itself, but, again, you’ll be able to predict what will happen and whether or not Edna will be in the audience. Offer advised, “This is the kind of movie where you can take a bathroom break at any time and be able to accurately predict precisely what you've missed. There's one witty, tongue-in-cheek line to be found at least: when Hannah (Juliette Motamed), one of the performers at the strip show, holds a mic and refers to it as a "magic mic."” If only there could be more witty humor like that! The only surprise is the rather tame dance performance doesn’t make the most out of the film’s R rating. Also, the rushed third act, which can be seen from a far, doesn’t earn its uplift and ends a little too shortly.

“Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is lucky to have Salma Hayek Pinault because she’s the movie’s MVP. Offer notes, “She gives a very charismatic, radiant and warm performance that helps to ground the film ever so slightly while also keeping you engaged in the by-the-numbers story. Channing Tatum gives a rather wooden performance here, and he's surprisingly under-used when it comes to putting on dance moves as the iconic Magic Mike---a brief dance at the beginning isn't enough. Also, the cinematography lacks the exquisite visual style that you'd expect from a Soderbergh movie.” You’ll forget that you’re even watching a Soderbergh film. At a running time of an hour and 52 minutes, “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is moderately entertaining and relaxing, but often low, weak, unattractive and surprisingly calm. It takes itself too seriously without enough campiness, audacity and wit.

Now I believe these movies are all worth watching. I think regardless of who you are, you will find enjoyment in these movies. You will get into them, because I don’t believe any of the films in this trilogy is bad. They’re all nice, but I would not suggest anyone to try out any of these dance movies, unless you really want to. I won’t, but that doesn’t mean that I will not enjoy these films. There is nothing in them that makes me feel uncomfortable. I think all of you will enjoy them, so check them out.

Thank you for joining in on these reviews tonight. Stay tuned tomorrow for the continuation of “National Lampoon Month.”