Review of Magic Mike (2012) by Jim B — 18 Feb 2013

Ok... I was on Netflix last night and clicked on a movie to rent, "Seeking A Friend For The End of The World", then quickly clicked again to confirm the purchase without paying too much attention. Next thing you know "Magic Mike" comes up and begins to play? Not the movie I intended to rent? I must have fat fingered the remote or some such thing. I had absolutely no interest in watching this film. But I did hear that Matthew McConaughey's performance was pretty good. I have really enjoyed watching MM devote himself seriously to his craft and become a better actor with each and every role. Add to this a certain filmmaker friend of mine (you know who you are!) who told me he liked the film.... So... I figured I'd watch and a least appreciate perhaps, the Soderbergh directorial style which I've admired and maybe even enjoy the film overall.

I DID NOT. What I saw was a self-absorbed masturbation (literally) of all things Channing Tatum? While there a few scenes that do work, they were so disjointed from the rest of the ones that do not work as to be lost in the overall mess of it. And like so many of Soderbergh's films... over and over again... a lot of really bad casting (what is this? Is he castlexic or something that he can't cast for character?) Along with some really average acting. This however does not include C. Tatum who was merely himself, and did not have too much acting required. So CT did very well for himself in this tribute to himself and all things Channing Tatum'ish, Himself. Good for CT. Bad for me having to endure.

There is just the barest (pun intended) of a thinly veiled (again), uninteresting story in this 150 minute tribute to CT and MM's sun tan pecks. So if you're a women or a gay guy, this might be the perfect film for you. But if you're a hetero male, the only way you should ever watch this film is if you clicked the wrong link on Netflix as I did. God forbid. But if this should happen, here's a tip. A minute forty into the film there is a very nice, quick peek at Olivia Munn's perfect breasts. These are worth seeing. Yes. So as the film begins, stare at the second hand on your watch, Not The Screen. I repeat... Not The Screen! At a minute forty, quickly look up. Enjoy. At a minute fifty five, close your eyes and remain this way relishing only your popcorn and remembering what you've just had the privilege to witness, even though all too briefly. This way you can keep your man card and girlfriend happy at the same time. Now excuse me as I have the overwhelming urge to go watch Raging Bull and Taxi Driver eight times in a row.