Magic Mike XXL (2015)

Brimming with a refreshing energy and setting the stage on fire with its erotically charged aura, Magic Mike XXL is a definite improvement over its predecessor that fully embraces its strengths, is well aware of its limitations, and discards almost everything that it can do without to deliver a romp ride that's light, simple & pure delight from beginning to end.Set 3 years after the events of the first film, Magic Mike XXL finds Mike running his own furniture business like he always wanted but a part of him still misses that old profession. Things are set in motion when he receives a call from his former mates and learns that they've been abandoned by Dallas and plan to bow out with one last performance and decides to join them in their endeavour.Directed by Gregory Jacobs, Magic Mike XXL trims out everything that stopped the previous film from stretching its arms & legs, and travels a better aligned route. Also, unlike the original, all the subplots head in the same direction as its central storyline, characters get more room to breathe, and there's a sense of history & togetherness in the group's bonding that's genuinely felt in their interactions.The plot takes the structure of a road trip movie that covers the themes of life, love & friendship as it moves ahead and the music & dance numbers are in perfect harmony with each other and is one key element that makes it blissful on so many levels. Images are more sleek, dance choreography undergoes a major upgrade and it simply packs the right amount of energy & erotica that makes a stripping performance great.Coming to the performances, the absence of Matthew McConaughey doesn't hurt the film much as his absence is rarely felt. Channing Tatum makes excellent use of the leading spot and contributes with a physically exhausting yet downright seductive performance in his reprising role. Manganiello gets more screen time than before and does well with what he's given while the newcomers are no slouch and ably play their part.On an overall scale, Magic Mike XXL has XXL times the magic & charisma of its predecessor and is a worthy follow-up by all means. Its simple storytelling & lighthearted flair may not impress those looking for a deeper inspection of the male stripping profession but its testosterone-fuelled atmosphere, lustful moves, beefy allure & surprising evolution into an unabashed celebration of female desire turns it into one of the most enjoyable & entertaining delights of its year.

This film was so lame, badly written and just plain awful, I'm embarrassed for the poor actors. It's just sad to see such fine actors like Tatum and Manganiello reduced to having to take roles like this.Now you could probably let the bad "story" and dialogue slide if you got to see a lot of eye candy, but no. The film is supposed to be about hot male strippers---but we rarely see any of them naked (well, in a thong, close enough)! And when we do, the lighting is so dingy, the audience would have to wear night vision goggles to make out anything. The director also miscast a huge, ugly oaf as one of the strippers. Unbelievable. We want to see prime filet naked, not Shrek! What we do see a lot of---instead of hot naked guys---are the guys fully clothed blabbering about B.S.NOTE to future directors of male stripper movies: we want to see the hot actors naked. A. Lot. In good lighting. Thank you.

This past summer my best friend and I had the fun idea, being ladies of the single variety, to have a girls day topped off with Magic Mike XXL. We went into the theater with high hopes, lots of popcorn, and the last of what we would later discover to be our sex drive. What promise Channing Tatum's face brought, was completely robbed by this whiny, over- emotional, plot-lacking, and labedo-murdering film.Come the second scene of the movie, you start to discover this movie wasn't made for you at all; seeing as you're not a fat, middle-aged woman who secretly dreams of being a drag queen. This movie was clearly intended for the LGBT and love-lost community and I have to applaud them in trying to reach the love-less audience, especially seeing as they surpassed their goal tremendously and succeeded in making the entire audience asexual. Half way through the film my ovaries shrank and fell my out my butt. At which point I grew a penis, which also fell off. This film was by far the most sexually confusing, life-unsettling experience I have ever had. I went in with what was my best friend and upon leaving, we were strangers with no desire to move on. We could barely even leave the theatre.My skin aged ten years and I lost the ability to bare children, which was actually fine since I won't be procreating any time soon anyway. All the male strippers were whiny and annoying the whole movie, complaining about penis size and lack of romance in their lives. What do you expect? You decided to make a sequel.It's no wonder Alex Pettyfer wasn't in the film (the only redeemable character from the first). I'm sure he's off somewhere living a happy, stress-free, sex-filled life. Lucky him. I mean, I would have even preferred to see a Mathew Mcconaghey's leathery ass doing anything. He got wise too. Now I'm here, with cancer, no sexual organs and a life of regret. Overall I would say an amazing movie 10/10 would recommend.

I'll be honest: as a female I just wanted to see beautiful male bodies dancing- that's what I came for, not the plot, not the story line, not even the acting really. Loved seeing Channing work his amazing body!!! A very talented, watchable dancer. Loved the convenience store routine with Joe. Loved the finale scene with Channing and tWitch. There were some good moments and some funny moments here and there. Could it have been better, sure. And by that I mean more dance time- with less clothes on- for Channing, Joe and and Matt. This is why I liked the first one better- at least their pants came off more often! The fact that both movies did well at the box office speaks to the market for more (even better done) movies that showcase male entertainers for the viewing pleasure of women (and men) who appreciate it.