Cert – 15, Run-time – 1 hour 52 minutes, Director – Steven Soderbergh
Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) returns to the striptease game to direct and choreograph a stage show for theatre owner Max (Salma Hayek Pinault).
“You’re in another one of your phases, aren’t you?” teenager Zadie (Jemelia George) asks her mother, Maxandra (Salma Hayek Pinault) on meeting her latest inspiration, Mike (Channing Tatum). She’s brought him to London, from Miami, to trade his social-event bartending job for directing and choreographing a production for the stage. Max has been known to run with ideas and overcomplicate them until they implode, often referred to as never getting past the first act themselves. However, Mike is – despite being far from familiar waters – determined to make something good of The Rattigan theatres production of romantic period drama Isabel Ascendant.
How can the material be updated? By adding a few more attractive men dancing and performing stripteases – in typical Magic Mike fashion. Stepping away from the traditional ‘will she marry for love or money?’ narrative and making something more empowering for the largely-female audience. There’s plenty of discussion throughout the film about the development of the play and the disagreements between Mike and Max about the direction in which it’s going. “You wouldn’t say that what we’ve done so far isn’t f*ckin’ special” infuses Mike at one point, a line which would perhaps have more effect if we actually saw more of the developing production.
What we focus on more is the conversations behind it, and the relationship between the two central characters. While the previous two Magic Mike films have been more about the male friendships at the centre of them, this is upfront about the journey of the stage-show – inspired by Magic Mike Live – and the relationship of Mike and Max as they combat the various barriers for them causing the stage production. There’s interest to be found in such moments as the height of the stage only just breaks the law or Max battles with her separated husband (Alan Cox) (or receives wry remarks from her butler, Vincent (Ayub Khan-Din) – a character who steals the show so much you want to see a film just about him).
What we focus on more is the conversations behind it, and the relationship between the two central characters. While the previous two Magic Mike films have been more about the male friendships at the centre of them, this is upfront about the journey of the stage-show – inspired by Magic Mike Live – and the relationship of Mike and Max as they combat the various barriers for them causing the stage production. There’s interest to be found in such moments as the height of the stage only just breaks the law or Max battles with her separated husband (Alan Cox) (or receives wry remarks from her butler, Vincent (Ayub Khan-Din) – a character who steals the show so much you want to see a film just about him).
When there’s a clear direction for the film and its more focused on the way in which the show is being produced that’s where it moves and works best. Generally improving as it goes on and builds things up, particularly as we get to the big dance finale that many will be expecting. There’s less blandness as the film goes on and the camerawork, and editing, during the dance sequences helps to liven things up; used more with each new instance, pushing the closing stages to have more effect. The film generally appears to be one which develops as it progresses, realising its better elements and piecing them together as it takes time to take out the weaker, less-engaging back-and-forths. Making for less fluctuations throughout and a slightly smoother ride overall. It may take some time but as the focus expands and comes together there’s a more likable and engaging piece of work as the film, like Mike, displays its confidence in different ways.
As the fluctuations become less frequent there’s a more enjoyable time to be had with Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Ironing out the creases and more drawn out sequences to make for a smoother, more engaging piece through its collected ideas.
Just A Little Bit Random 