 I have an interesting story behind my first viewing of 'Magic Mike.' I was comfortable enough to enjoy it despite the male entertainer subject matter, which is all good, but it isn't what I look for in a movie. What I do look for, however, is a good story, which the first film had, so I like that movie for what it is. The second one was more in your face about the male entertainer subject, as the entire plot revolved around a road trip to a male entertainment convention, and in its own way, even felt a bit hollow. But here we are with a third instalment.
With a full eight years between the last film and this one, it was definitely something that came along in which I wondered exactly who was asking for it. I even remember some of my female friends kinda turning their noses up at it, mainly because it felt like they had their fun with the last two, and things have moved on since then. But as the random guy in the audience looking for a decent story, the big question here is, is 'Last Dance' as respectable as the first film, resulting in a pleasant surprise, or is it just narrowed down to Tatum's (and others') abs and moves, like in 'XXL?' While Mike (Channing Tatum) bartends for a catering company in Miami, he gets a job working Maxandra "Max" Mendoza's (Salma Hayek) fundraising event, where he's recognized by someone who lets Max in on Mike's former career as a dancer. When the event ends, Max invites him to speak with her privately. There, she makes a deal with him to experience what he can do, and what follows is an intimate and honestly pretty hot dance between the two of them. This inspires Max to offer him to go with her to London, England, for a month. In a revenge tactic concerning her recent divorce, Max brings Mike to London to work in the Rattigan Theatre, which she happens to get in the divorce, for a generous paycheck. The idea is to bring a new, modernized and sensual feel to the play 'Isabel Ascende.' I can't figure out if it is an actual play, but I assume it's fictional since I get 'Magic Mike' links after Googling it. Max has Mike find some new performers for this and choreograph the whole play in her vision but with his help and guidance. Those are pretty much the basics of how things unfold throughout the film, and it can be seen as the classic "let's put on a play" plot-line, but with erotic dancing attached to it. And, of course, there's a bit of the "love interest" thing going on between the two leads, much like in the first film, but this time, the woman dances just as well as Tatum. Salma Hayek is one sexy lady who's still got it, and she shows it here without having to show anything. And that's one thing I can credit the film for - there's "eye candy" for everyone, not just those who are into dudes. I will also credit the film for focusing more on dance's artistry and less on stripping's entertainment value. This one bridges it together reasonably well, and much like the first one, the humour keeps it going. But the idea of Max's whole revenge on her ex feels petty. By the end, I was wondering if the play she wanted to do was something that worked OR if it was like Peter Griffin's production of 'Anna and the King' where he just butchered everything to the point that it's ridiculous nonsense. The film is passable if it's what you're looking for, but it doesn't hold a candle to the first one. The first 'Magic Mike' had this element of surprise for us, hesitant hetero males. Looking like a male strip show on the surface, it delivered a good story with likable characters, and it all ended up being an interesting reveal. This one takes the stripper element and blends it with a bit of a 'Step Up' feel. It's more about putting on this production and "saving the rec centre" than anything else, so I might suggest sticking with the first one. But at the very least, there's some sexiness from both sides here, and who knows, you may even get a good laugh or two. I know I did. 3/5
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