Review of Magic Mike XXL (2015) by Guille B — 19 Sep 2015

If Magic Mike was one of the pleasant surprised of 2012, this could definitely not be said about its sequel Magic Mike XXL. Cheesy, empty in terms of content and with no character or story development, the second installment is a kitschy, muscles-inflated road trip movie which shamelessly exploits the success of its predecessor. Of course, if one is looking only for dance sequences, good music and ultra-cool actors he or she (or in most cases, "she") would be relatively satisfied.

The first and most important difference with the original is the missing Dallas (Matthew McConaughey), the leader of the male entertainers' group. The story starts-up three years later when he is gone to Asia and the rest of the team decide to go for a one last weekend to the National Strippers Convention. Gathered together Mike (Channing Tatum), Tito, Tarzan, Big Dick and Ken have to reach the convention and show that they still got the goods to drive all women crazy. On the way to the convention they need to re-connect with each other and have a final blast of fun.

Described like this, Magic Mike XXL is nothing more and nothing less than a road-trip buddy movie in which the characters are main strippers. Filled with music, perfectly shaped bodies, some good humor and light-hearted (even lazy) story-telling, Gregory Jacobs' movie is a sort of mediocre road-trip fun. If you approach Magic Mike XXL in this way you could actually be satisfied with it. However, if you were impressed with the original's darkness, down-to-earth depiction of some characters and the excellent chemistry between Tatum and McConaughey, I would have to disappoint you. There is none of this in Magic Mike XXL. The sequel is nothing but a sexy road-trip with some jokes and no story-direction, no bottom-line message and even an end which is far from being satisfying,.

In conclusion, if you are a die-hard fan of Channing Tatum or the first movie, you would probably have fun, provided that you lower your initial expectations. For the rest, Magic Mike XXL would be nothing but a disappointment.