Share

Magic Mike XXL

accreditation
Magic Mike XXL (Warner Bros.)
Magic Mike XXL (Warner Bros.)

What it's about:

Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, we find the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them.

On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways

What we thought:

If you felt a bit shortchanged after watching the first Magic Mike, the sequel delivers of the XXL kind.

The original Magic Mike tried to give an insightful, plot heavy look into the world of male strippers and nothing about it was the stuff fantasy was made of.

This time around the plot was thrown to the wind and viewers are given what they really want: "Take it off!"

It's three years later after Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) hung up his little g-string and shelved his dancing. He finally has that house and custom furniture shop he has always wanted but he has lost the girl and the business is struggling.

After a call from Tarzan (Kevin Nash) he reunites with the Kings of Tampa: Ken (Matt Bomer), Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello) and Tito (Adam Rodriguez) - for one last time they’re going to take their show to the stripper convention in Myrtle Beach.  

Like any good road trip movie it’s about the adventure on the road and not the destination. And so the group head off in a food truck with some interesting pit stops along the way.

First up a drag bar, second stop a pleasure stripping brothel headed up by Rome (Jada Pinkett Smith). Forget a day out at the spa, this is the ultimate night out for 'queens' as she refers to her clients.

At Rome's we meet Malik (Stephen "tWitch" Boss) and Andre (Donald Glover) who's not really a stripper but a singer and 'healer.'

At the last pit stop the gang meets divorced Southern belle Nancy (Andie MacDowell), and her group of sexually frustrated middle-aged friends.

It's all a build up to an uhm climatic end (sorry, not sorry).

There's a lot going on here as you get the sense that this time around the guys wanted to produce a really well-endowed package.

Where the first film was mostly focused on Mike's story, Channing's character takes a back seat. This time around it’s Big Dick Richie and Ken’s time to shine. And shine they did.

One of the highlights is Joe’s little strip dance for a convenience store shop assistant. And who knew Matt Bomer could sing!!!

Oh and a must mention is retired NFL football player and talk show host Michael Strahan's routine.

I'm going to put a slight damper on all the fun. Throughout the movie it is implied that women frequent strip joints because the 'men in their lives don't pay them attention and don’t treat them right'. I wish they had lain off that stereotype. Women are just as visual as men; sometimes they just want to look and just enjoy the fantasy.

With that said the movie is a whole lot of fun, there's a lot of dancing, an overload of ridiculously hot guys with well-oiled six packs and the raunchy meter has been turned up to full throttle. You will definitely get your money's worth. It's a great girls night out movie and just maybe the guys will enjoy the 'bromance' of it all too.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE