Director: Gregory Jacobs

Starring: Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez, Jada Pinkett Smith, Amber Heard, Donald Glover, Andy McDowell 

Running Time: 2 hours 55 mins 

Rating: 15

Release Date: 3rd July, 2015 

Back in 2012 Steven Soderbergh made many a fantasy come true when he cast none other than Hollywood heartthrob Channing Tatum as a young male stripper in his flirty feature MAGIC MIKE. Alongside the likes of Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer and Alex Pettyfer, Tatum drove audience’s wild with his sexy dance moves and natural performance and MAGIC MIKE proved itself to be an exciting, stylish and touching smash hit. With fans left panting for more, it was only a matter of time before a sequel hit theatres and with Gregory Jacobs taking over from Soderbergh, MAGIC MIKE XXL was born. 

With writer Reid Carolin (22 JUMP STREET) back on board, MAGIC MIKE XXL picks up three years after Mike leaves the stripper game, where we find him as the manager of his own small company and missing the glamour of being part of the famous Kings of Tampa. With one quick phone call from Tarzan (Nash) and finding out that Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) and The Kid (Pettyfer) have ditched the remaining Kings, Mike is quickly convinced to reunite with the boys for one last blowout performance and they soon find themselves on the road to Myrtle Beach; heading to an all night stripper convention! 

With a new director on board, the general tone of the film has definitely changed dramatically from the first film. Where Soderbergh created a deeper, almost coming-of-age kind of tone to MAGIC MIKE, Jacobs’ has steered full head into the comedy genre; giving the boys free roam to really push audience into letting out full on belly laughs. While this has its perks and the film is most definitely funnier than the first, it does miss out on the slightly deeper sense of character development that Soderbergh tapped into when it came to Tatum’s character.

There are moments when Jacobs attempts to continue this sense of depth with Mike and the others, but they often feel like a last ditch effort within the dialogue and it’s soon forgotten with another joke or dance sequence. This does leave the film feeling slightly as if it’s missing something from its core, the heart seems to have been forgotten in favour for more comedy and while the laughs are great; Jacobs doesn’t quite hit the mark where Soderbergh did. This also goes for the creative style and technique. Where Soderbergh’s MAGIC MIKE had some beautiful camera work, XXL lacks the independent style and sophistication of filmmaking that made the original film so impressive; which is bizarre considering Soderbergh worked as director of photography for the sequel. 

Still, where Jacobs leaves the style behind, he certainly makes up for it in sheer enjoyment and total unapologetic hilarity. He really makes use of the boys comedic talents, especially when it comes to Richie (Manganiello). Big Dick Richie most definitely steals the show as Manganiello shows off his brilliant comedic timing, physical comedy and general glowing screen presence. Many of the films finest moments feature Richie in a big way and it’s clear to see this is a conscious effort from Jacobs, Manganiello and Carolin. 

With Alison Frank behind the choreography, the dance routines are far raunchier than the previous film; no complaining here. With the boys keen to ditch their old school dances and actually tap into their own style and freedom, Frank interprets this into each of their individual routines; which all come to a head at the very end of the film. Instead of it all being about Mike’s performance, each of the boys get their chance to shine and they’re all extremely impressive. Apart from the obvious easy on the eyes nature of their appearance, their physical strength and rhythmic talent is equally impressive. Tatum out does himself in sex appeal and genuine dance talent, as he takes his routines to a new level of skill, all with the help of a new stripper Malik, played by Stephen Boss; you’re going to love this duo as they bring the house down in the film’s final moments. 

The dancing would be nothing without incredible music and of course, the soundtrack is brilliant. With Donald Glover stepping in to play the charming Andre and showing off his vocal talents, XXL slows it down a little compared to the first film; giving into to some sultry slow jams that hit all the right notes. Along side this, tracks like R. Kelly‘s ‘Cookie’, Jodeci‘s ‘Freek’n You’ and the original MAGIC MIKE anthem, Ginuwine‘s ‘Pony’; XXL brings in a stellar mix of R’n’B and Hip Hop, even with a little cheesy Pop thrown in. 

What’s so impressive about MAGIC MIKE XXL is that there is a genuine appreciation and celebration of women throughout the entirety of the film and this is most definitely lead by Jada Pinkett-Smith, who plays Rome; Mike’s former boss and the boys new MC. Pinkett-Smith’s character is really there to stop the film feeling quite so sleazy and makes a female audience feel right at home in the company of all the rippling biceps and abs of steel. Rome prides herself on making her ‘Queens’ feel great about themselves and that reflects in the boys behaviour, routines and the general tone of the film. 

The joy of MAGIC MIKE XXL is its sheer unapologetic nature and if you enjoyed the first film; there’s no way you’re not going to like its sequel. Despite its style of substance after taste, XXL doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not and therefore manages to pull off a wickedly funny and sexy as hell story of good old strippers. With a standout comedic performance from Joe Manganiello, impeccable dance routines, a great soundtrack and a huge amount of fun; MAGIC MIKE XXL feels like an insane Friday night out – and there ain’t nothing wrong with that!

Verdict

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