Magic Mike and the gang are back! And this time around the costumes (or lack of) are tighter, the dance moves are raunchier, and as the title suggests, everything is bigger and better. Are you ready for an encore?
Directed by Steven Soderbergh's long-time assistant, Emmy Award winner Gregory Jacobs, the follow-up picks up three years after Mike (Channing) kicks his stripper life to the curb, which left the remaining Kings of Tampa, with their thongs in a twist. Following a failed engagement and a few bumps in the road with his furniture design business, Tatum decides to go on one last epic hurrah with his BFFs, to a stripping convention (yes, they exist) in Myrtle Beach. Cue the pelvic thrusting, baby oil overload, cheese-grater abs and equally cheesy tunes.
The road-trip sees Mike and the original crew Big Dick Richie (Manganiello), clean-cut Ken (Bomer), Tarzan (Nash), Tito (Rodriguez) and Tobias (Iglesias), making some worthwhile whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah, all of which help mend their 'broken family'. Along the way, the guys find themselves competing in a drag queen show at a gay bar, showcasing their suave moves in a dance-club mansion run by a former flame of Mike's, played a sassy Jada Pinkett Smith, and dusting off the past in some surprising ways.
Between all the bumping and grinding and hip gyrations the guys manage to top the pole once again with their bromance tales and new realisation that women are all "queens" and should get what they ask for.
Remember Mike's booty-dropping to Ginuwine’s Pony? Well, you'll be glad to know he has an equally jaw-dropping scene about fifteen minutes in, that will be enough to have you running out for more ice in your Cola (take that, Christian Grey!).
Yes, the plot may be completely daft and lack direction throughout, but returning screenwriter Reid Carolin's delicious gags and punchy one-liners go down a treat. While the swagger and charm of Matthew McConaughey is notably absent in the second outing, Will Smith's other half, Jada Pinkert Smith, plays a stormer as the new emcee and brings some welcome girl power to the male-dominated flick.
Equally, Andie MacDowell and Elizabeth Banks are great in their minor supporting roles, while Amber Heard brings some sass as Tatum's badass love interest.
Magic Mike XXL has just enough tricks up its sleeve to make you want Magic Mike 3: The Stripping Sons happen - and for that alone it's worth your hard earned dolla (cha-ching).
Laura Delaney
