Lady's Choice: Magic Mike XXL

Guess who's taking over!

So Magic Mike XXL and Terminator Genisys were released ahead of the 4th of July weekend, making Brian's and my date night night at the theater this week on a Tuesday instead of on a Thursday. Once again, Brian and I are going to divide up the movie reviews with what I think is an appropriate division. On a previous Lady's Choice, I reviewed Magic Mike (2012), so makes sense that I'd also review the sequel with Brian reviewing Terminator Genisys. It appears that audiences weren't entirely impressed by the new movie offerings with Terminator Genisys coming in 3rd and Magic Mike XXL coming in 4th with $12.8 million. Perhaps it being a holiday weekend actually hurt it but only time will tell for this stripping filled sequel.

Three years after Magic Mike, things are exactly what Mike Lane thought they would be when he finally was able to open up his custom furniture business and leave the world of stripping behind. This includes Brooke leaving Mike as we find out later. He only has one employee and can't afford to pay the employee's health insurance. After getting tricked into meeting up this buddies from the Kings of Tampa (the stripping group that Mike was apart of) by being told someone died. Luckily none of the Kings have died, but they were abandoned by Dallas and The Kid, who moved to an overseas market. They have decided to go the stripper convention in Myrtle Beach (it makes sense that they'd have one, but it still kind of surprised me that there was one) for one last performance, and they want Magic Mike to come along.

After what I would call a great tip of the hat to the first movie, Mike decides that he will join the Kings of Tampa for a little get away from what is currently going on in his life. One of their first stops is a drag queen show where the boys have a bit of fun. Mike also meets Zoe (played by Amber Heard), an aspiring photographer, when she takes a break from taking pictures of drag queens to him. After continuing their trip, Mike shows everyone that they don't have to do Dallas's old routines. However, due to some shenanigans, Tobias (played by Gabriel Iglesias) has to stay at a hospital, and their truck gets totaled.

Mike and the rest decide to continue on to Myrtle Beach. Along the way, the Kings of Tampa have to return to where Magic Mike was known as White Chocolate and an unexpected private audience where previous acquaintances make an appearance. In the end, Mike and the gang have to keep their eyes on the prize: their last blow-out performance.

This movie is both similar to and different from Magic Mike. Let's start out with the obvious: there is more male stripping. From Mike dancing in his furniture workshop to the last performance, the movie probably has double the amount of performances that were in the first one. Not only that but they take place in more than just on the stage, including a convenience store. Also, most of the performances are new in keeping with Mike's strive to not use Dallas's old routines since he left them behind. This was also a bit different because of the incorporation of male entertainers from a different group.

One thing that Brian like about the first Magic Mike was that it had plot (though he says it felt like half a movie). I liked that too. With Magic Mike XXL, there is not the same kind of plot. It feels like a different movie. The first one was somewhat of a love story/finding yourself story. This one is a "getting the band back together" kind of plot. That seems to be the biggest complaint: that it sacrifices plot for stripping. I have to say that they did a bit, but between Brian and I, I see the plot. Both movies are fun. Magic Mike XXL isn't as deep as the first one, and I am okay with that. I still had a good time watching this movie.

That all being said, I honestly don't think they could make a third Magic Mike and hope that they don't. Mike got the girl, lost the girl, and now may or may not have a new one (that is honestly up in the air). The boys may or may not have revived the Kings of Tampa. While I can see this being a trilogy, I am happy with it just being the two. Only time (and success of Magic Mike XXL) will tell.

Rating:  7/10

Buy on BluRay:  If you are a fan of the stripping and the boys having a road trip, then yes

So what did you think about Magic Mike XXL?  Was it as entertaining as the first Magic Mike?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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