Magic Mike XXL Review
RYAN: It’s the sequel to 2012’s sleeper hit Magic Mike, but this time without director Steven Soderbergh, Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfer. I recall favorably reviewing but being underwhelmed by the spice in the first one and surprised by it’s unexpected success. But, alas, sex sells and here’s the sequel.
CAROLINE: I hope you at least went in with lowered expectations this time around.
RYAN: Absolutely. And as it turns out it’s completely different. It’s a comedy with dancing – dirty dancing. The first film had a completely different vibe – very serious and artistic. This one is cheesy, borderline slapsticky at points, but also more blush-worthy… more so then even Fifty Shades of Grey was. The first was a drama and this one isn’t
CAROLINE: Stop. Really?
RYAN: Yes. It’s very strange. It’s, like, devoid of drama. It begins pretty clunky. The story is very contrived and forced, especially in how they explain the absence of Dallas – the character portrayed by Matt McConaughey in the first film.
CAROLINE: I did wonder how they would deal with that.
RYAN: The whole first hour of the film is just a lame bromance where it feels like a bunch of sweetheart, granted drug addicted, male strippers are bonding around a campfire. But then it gets a bit spicier with Jada Pinkett Smith and Andie MacDowell… and then the last 30 minutes are the best part. It’s just a show and it’s sexy, racy and well choreographed.
CAROLINE: How’s tWitch from TV’s So You Think You Can Dance?
RYAN: Amazing. He and Channing are the best dancers in the film. All the other guys are just pretty and they move ok. Joe Manganiello overacts like mad though. It’s almost like he’s in a completely different movie than everyone else. So weird.
CAROLINE: Oh that is odd.
RYAN: Soderbergh did more of an art film that was dramatic and this one is just cutesy.
CAROLINE: It doesn’t sound that great, to be honest.
RYAN: Well it’s not a great film. But the entertainment factor is high and I actually had a lot more fun watching this one compared to the first, so… if you can grab some friends and go, why not?
