It’s a female twenty-something’s dream come true. If you’re looking for abs, you’ll find plenty of them in this movie. If you want to stare at rugged, attractive faces, they’re in this movie. If you’re looking to laugh, blush, and discover the clandestine world of stripping , then this is the next movie you want to see.
Magic Mike did portray a surprising amount of depth that kept your interest past the glistening abs of the male cast.
Channing Tatum (Magic Mike) plays an aspiring entrepreneur who dreams of opening his own custom furniture shop. By day, he tiles roofs and tries to get many of his small businesses off the ground. By night, he strips at Tampa’s Xquisite. Mike recruits Adam, “The Kid,” a struggling college dropout played by Alex Pettyfer. As Adam discovers the decadent life style of the world of stripping and becomes completely enthralled, Mike takes the adverse roll in becoming disillusioned with the way in which he lives. When Mike meets Adam’s sister, Brooke, he promises to protect Adam as he discovers the wild world of drugs and sex. Conflict arises when that promise becomes hard to keep as Adam’s innocence wanes, and Mike loses the trust of Brooke, his developing love interest. It’s the classic “stripper with a heart of gold” story that plays out as Mike begins to discover what he truly wants in life which involves a stable relationship and chasing his entrepreneurial dreams.
Overall, the casting for Magic Mike is solid. Tatum, 32, still has some serious dance moves that “Step Up” viewers will surely recognize. He brings charm, wit, and a playfulness to his character that makes “Magic Mike” more than just a pretty face. Matthew McConaughey, 42, easily stole the show with his portrayal of Xquisite’s owner, Dallas. He showed the world his never aging body, cowboy-like charm, and thick southern drawwwwl. Alex Pettyfer (probably only known by “I Am Number Four” and “Beastly” viewers) had a good performance as the brooding kid who makes a lot of mistakes. The only character who could have used some work was Brooke played by Cody Horn. Though nice to see a new face amongst a star-studded cast, her Kristen Stewart-like pout in most of her scenes got old.
Viewers might find the movie a bit long with an awkwardly abrupt ending, but the combination of the glamorous stage shows, blossoming relationships, and the dark behind-the-scenes shenanigans will capture the eyes and the heart. A definite must-see on your next “girl’s night out.”
The stars of "Magic Mike"
