MOVIE OF THE WEEK (7/1-7/3/15): MAGIC MIKE XXL
WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, Kevin Nash, Elizabeth Banks, Adam Rodriguez, Amber Heard, Donald Glover, Andie MacDowell, Michael Strahan, Gabriel Igelsias and Jada Pinkett Smith
WRITER(S): Reid Carolin
DIRECTOR(S): Gregory Jacobs
60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): Picking up a few years after the events of the first film, stripper (er, "male entertainer") "Magic" Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) is living out his dream running a small furniture business away from the stages and lights his former "Kings of Tampa" buddies are still hitting on a regular basis. Struggling to run his business – he only has one employee and he can't afford to offer him health insurance – Mike gets an unexpected phone call from Ernest a.k.a. "Tarzan" (Kevin Nash) that makes him rush to catch up with his old buddies.
That's when things pick up into full swing and the old Kings of Tampa – Tarzan, Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Ken (Matt Bomer, Tito (Adam Rodriguez) and happy-go-lucky emcee Tobias (Gabriel Iglesias) – are back in action headed to the annual stripper convention in Myrtle Beach. And since their old boss won't be joining them, the Kings are guaranteed to face a new series of adventures once Mike takes over as the de facto boss.
What lies ahead of them? Perhaps a reunion, a few new introductions ... And a whole lot of women and body oil along the way.
That's when things pick up into full swing and the old Kings of Tampa – Tarzan, Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Ken (Matt Bomer, Tito (Adam Rodriguez) and happy-go-lucky emcee Tobias (Gabriel Iglesias) – are back in action headed to the annual stripper convention in Myrtle Beach. And since their old boss won't be joining them, the Kings are guaranteed to face a new series of adventures once Mike takes over as the de facto boss.
What lies ahead of them? Perhaps a reunion, a few new introductions ... And a whole lot of women and body oil along the way.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fans of the original Magic Mike who wanted that film to have more upbeat, party scenes and fewer dramatic ones; Tatum and Manganiello fans; Jada Pinkett Smith and Andie MacDowell fans; women seeking a great "girls night out" release; fans of movie diversity
WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN'T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Those who liked the more dramatic elements of the first film; homophobic men; people who don't see how the film is both a bit of a "bro" movie and a male objectification at the same time the cast is all cool with ... Or do and they as an audience member are not cool with it; those who find the whole idea of a film about a bawdy group of male strippers laughable/ludicrous
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? When the first Magic Mike movie was getting ready to hit theaters, the general public seemed to have one of the following reactions:
- This movie is going to be ridiculous
- This movie is going to be ridiculous, but I'm intrigued
- BRING ON THE ALMOST NAKED MEN!!!
Then, the first movie hit and some people were a little taken aback by the film's somewhat downbeat ending and story. But Magic Mike proved to be a hit, raking in more than $100 million at the box office domestically and the idea of a sequel became more than just an idea. And now, Magic Mike XXL – which if you've seen ANY of the advertising promises to be bigger, better and more salacious than its predecessor – is here. All that leads to one question: What in the world could XXL offer fans of the first film that Magic Mike didn't?
Surprisingly, a whole lot – especially if you're looking for a more entertaining than you might expect excuse to see a bunch of guys acting wild and driving women the same way as they do it.
Before I get into a detailed review, let me just make this "shocking" admission: I am a man. A heterosexual man. And Supreme Court decisions/everyone love everyone ideals notwithstanding, let's be honest – I am not the target audience for XXL. (Well, I guess that means I wasn't the target audience for the first movie, but whatever.) That's why it may come as a surprise that not only did I find XXL to be a quote-unquote "decent" movie, I actually found it to be quite a really entertaining one ... Even if I had to wade through more thongs than I ever hoped to see in my life in the process. But if the latter isn't a problem for you, you'll likely find it even more enjoyable.
Love him or loathe him, one has to give Tatum credit for always committing to his roles; given that Magic Mike was inspired by his time as a strip–sorry, male entertainer–before he made it big, it should come as no surprise he's in his element in XXL. Tatum and company – Manganiello, Nash, Rodriguez and Bomer – have a great chemistry together as they truly seem like a bunch of guys enjoying each other's company as much as the ladies they entertain enjoy their work.
Whereas Tatum is the film's core, Manganiello steals just about every scene he's in. He is, however, given more than ample time to shine as a Jersey Shore-style musclehead (with a heart of gold, of course) who's character is akin to that proverbial best friend that may be silly but always comes thru at the right time. Bomer likewise has several memorable moments as the sensitive stripper who – especially when paired in a memorable scene with Donald Glover – takes his job very seriously for all the right reasons.
Consequently/ironically in lieu of the criticism of Bryce Dallas Howard's character in Jurassic World, the women of XXL are the ones that seemingly get to take on – and relish – the roles of the sexually aggressive characters in the film. Whether it's the pure "look at them and never forget how beautiful you are, ladies" mantras uttered by Jada Pinkett Smith's semi-brothel owner Rome or the Southern Belle who is ready to have hers rung played by Andie MacDowell, the role reversal showcased in XXL. For the film does plenty to shatter any lingering issues of women not enjoying sex, not having a mentality of knowing what they are worth and how they need to be valued not only by men, but their selves. (The latter message is the important one, everyone.)
Of course, the main reason anyone going to XXL for is to watch Tatum and company strip and dance. They certainly do that, but build to it slowly before the film's epic grand finale ... What many may find revealing, however, is the showcasing of the nature of predominantly African-American strip club culture and how women of all ethnicities can appreciate a man who treats them well. (It may seem silly, but XXL may do more to bring race relations – at least when it comes to sex and romance – better and with less inflammatory scenarios than any film since the failed Guess Who? with Ashton Kutcher and the late Bernie Mac.)
In summation, if you enjoy comedy, club music, REALLY in shape bodies and more sexual titillation than perhaps some people may be ready for, XXL lives up to its name in just about every aspect. Just be prepared to be disappointed if the man in your life can't live up to the bar being raised so high unless you can find a way to inspire him to get to the gym.
Surprisingly, a whole lot – especially if you're looking for a more entertaining than you might expect excuse to see a bunch of guys acting wild and driving women the same way as they do it.
Before I get into a detailed review, let me just make this "shocking" admission: I am a man. A heterosexual man. And Supreme Court decisions/everyone love everyone ideals notwithstanding, let's be honest – I am not the target audience for XXL. (Well, I guess that means I wasn't the target audience for the first movie, but whatever.) That's why it may come as a surprise that not only did I find XXL to be a quote-unquote "decent" movie, I actually found it to be quite a really entertaining one ... Even if I had to wade through more thongs than I ever hoped to see in my life in the process. But if the latter isn't a problem for you, you'll likely find it even more enjoyable.
Love him or loathe him, one has to give Tatum credit for always committing to his roles; given that Magic Mike was inspired by his time as a strip–sorry, male entertainer–before he made it big, it should come as no surprise he's in his element in XXL. Tatum and company – Manganiello, Nash, Rodriguez and Bomer – have a great chemistry together as they truly seem like a bunch of guys enjoying each other's company as much as the ladies they entertain enjoy their work.
Whereas Tatum is the film's core, Manganiello steals just about every scene he's in. He is, however, given more than ample time to shine as a Jersey Shore-style musclehead (with a heart of gold, of course) who's character is akin to that proverbial best friend that may be silly but always comes thru at the right time. Bomer likewise has several memorable moments as the sensitive stripper who – especially when paired in a memorable scene with Donald Glover – takes his job very seriously for all the right reasons.
Consequently/ironically in lieu of the criticism of Bryce Dallas Howard's character in Jurassic World, the women of XXL are the ones that seemingly get to take on – and relish – the roles of the sexually aggressive characters in the film. Whether it's the pure "look at them and never forget how beautiful you are, ladies" mantras uttered by Jada Pinkett Smith's semi-brothel owner Rome or the Southern Belle who is ready to have hers rung played by Andie MacDowell, the role reversal showcased in XXL. For the film does plenty to shatter any lingering issues of women not enjoying sex, not having a mentality of knowing what they are worth and how they need to be valued not only by men, but their selves. (The latter message is the important one, everyone.)
Of course, the main reason anyone going to XXL for is to watch Tatum and company strip and dance. They certainly do that, but build to it slowly before the film's epic grand finale ... What many may find revealing, however, is the showcasing of the nature of predominantly African-American strip club culture and how women of all ethnicities can appreciate a man who treats them well. (It may seem silly, but XXL may do more to bring race relations – at least when it comes to sex and romance – better and with less inflammatory scenarios than any film since the failed Guess Who? with Ashton Kutcher and the late Bernie Mac.)
In summation, if you enjoy comedy, club music, REALLY in shape bodies and more sexual titillation than perhaps some people may be ready for, XXL lives up to its name in just about every aspect. Just be prepared to be disappointed if the man in your life can't live up to the bar being raised so high unless you can find a way to inspire him to get to the gym.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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