The story of male strippers may seem like a strained plot device but, for whatever reason, it worked. Flowing much more like a character piece than a titillating semi-porn film, it worked and brought Channing Tatum’s abs into our world. Now Gregory Jacobs takes the helm from Steven Soderbergh in the sequel to the 2012 hit Magic Mike which comes (sorry) to cinemas this weekend and here’s why you should go see it.
As much as we just enjoy Channing getting his kit off, the story also furthers what we knew of Mike from the first outing whilst also giving the other background strippers a chance to shine and get to know them better. Ken (Matt Bomer) is a spiritual healer type, Tarzan (Kevin Nash) wants to flourish his artistic talents, Tito (Adam Rodriguez) is into yoghurt and Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello)? Well, he just wants to find a lady who fits his rather large glass slipper… If you know what we mean.
Jada Pinkett Smith is a great addition to the cast as Rome, which was originally meant as a male role but she owns the screen whenever she pops up and the film is better for it. Unlike Amber Heard who had nothing to do apart from brood, pretend to eat cake (as if) and get thrown around a stage by Channing whilst having his crotch in her face repeatedly. Which is probably the best paid job in the world.
There’s been a lot of talk about this movie ‘objectifying’ men. Now, without delving too far into that issue, women have been objectified in films and other forms of entertainment for decades so it’s nice to have an entire film revel in ‘the female gaze’. And revel it does. Which is one of the reasons it’s so great. It knows who it’s aiming for and does so with more oil, more thongs, more grinding and more sexy dancing. It’s the perfect ladies night film. Or for anyone who likes topless men, grinding, really.