Magic Mike XXL (2015)

[DollEyes]

  One of the movies I'm looking forward to seeing this summer is Magic Mike XXL, which is the sequel to Magic Mike, which is IMO the best male stripper movie made since The Full Monty. Besides the usual suspects (Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Mangianello, Adam Rodriguez and Kevin Nash), the film also has some newcomers (Jada Pinkett Smith, Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard, Donald Glover, Michael Strahan & Stephen ''tWitch" Boss) and has eliminated some dead weight (Cody Horn & Alex Pettyfer).  Based on the dance sequences in the trailer alone, the movie definitely lives up to its title.

Edited June 24, 2015 by DollEyes

[DkNNy79]

Yes, I am looking forward to seeing this as well.  Especially since they got rid of the annoying brother/sister.

 

This is a movie that like Sex & The City, you see with your girlfriends. I feel bad for all the boyfriends/husbands that get dragged to see this. ;)

Edited June 23, 2015 by DkNNy79

[Trini]

The marketing of this has been hilarious: "We've got wall-to-wall gyrating man candy here. You're welcome." 

[cpcathy]

Well, I went to see FSOG alone so I guess I can go see this alone. I enjoy the first one, disappointed Soderbergh is not also directing this one. Maybe we'll get another dance franchise movie!

[DollEyes]

 

This is a movie that like Sex & the City, you see with your girlfriends. I feel bad for all the boyfriends/husbands that get dragged to see this. ;)

 

  All the more reason to leave them at home. ;)

 

  As if there aren't enough incentives to see it, Matt Bomer's not just dancing, he's singing-and based on past experience, he sings as good as he looks, if not even better.

[topanga]

The marketing of this has been hilarious: "We've got wall-to-wall gyrating man candy here. You're welcome." 

I know, right?

 

Another funny thing (to me) about this franchise is that I never liked Ginuwine's song "Pony" until it was associated with Magic Mike. Now whenever I hear the opening bass line, I get all tingly inside.

[nicepebbles]

I haven't see the first one. I know. I don't how that happened. I plan to see if before I go to see this one. I might even have to go myself.

 

I love the song Pony and I have since middle school/high school. I can't remember when it came out. Every time I hear it, I remember watching it on my grandparent's big screen TV on MTV before going off to school. Hopefully, I'll have a new memory to associate with it.

[Trini]

As if there aren't enough incentives to see it, Matt Bomer's not just dancing, he's singing-and based on past experience, he sings as good as he looks, if not even better.

 

This...

Untitled (How Does It Feel) - Matt Bomer

... is on the soundtrack. They are clearly trying to kill me.

Edited June 26, 2015 by Trini

[DollEyes]

 

I love the song Pony and have since middle school/high school. I can't remember when it came out.

 

1998, I believe.

 

 

 

 

Untitled (How Does it Feel)-Matt Bomer

 

...is on the soundtrack. They are clearly trying to kill me.

 

Me too, apparently.  On the bright side, at least I'll die smiling.

Edited June 26, 2015 by DollEyes

[ribboninthesky1]

I haven't see the first one. I know. I don't how that happened. I plan to see if before I go to see this one. I might even have to go myself.

 

I love the song Pony and I have since middle school/high school. I can't remember when it came out. Every time I hear it, I remember watching it on my grandparent's big screen TV on MTV before going off to school. Hopefully, I'll have a new memory to associate with it.

 

1996!  I know because I was a college freshman, and that song was the jam! Along with No Diggity. Never mind that I first thought it was a woman singing (don't judge me, I was more into the hook than lyrics).       

[DollEyes]

 Channing, Matt and Joe are shirtless on the cover of the June 26th issue of Entertainment Weekly. In mathematical terms, 3 guys with 8-packs=24 abs.

 

  If there's a part 3, I think it should go international, with a worldwide stripper competition, with teams from all four corners of the globe. Bonus points if the cast includes Idris Elba, Hugh Jackman, Dwayne Johnson, Tom Hiddleston and Michael Fassbender, among others.

Edited June 28, 2015 by DollEyes

[Trini]

If they do make another sequel, what would they title it? This one is already XXL....

[ribboninthesky1]

XXX? Think of all the additional sexual innuendo and double entendres they could use for the trailers! 

[DollEyes]

Even better, most of the print ads could be all separate posters of two each with the guys in the nude & the XXXs strategically placed, on the front and the back!

[Trini]

Two Male Strippers Review Magic Mike XXL. Spoilers.

[ribboninthesky1]

I didn't read the review above, but after seeing it tonight, I wasn't impressed.  I felt my eyes glaze over from boredom through most of the movie.  Highlights were Big Dick Richie's convenience store dance, Mike's routine at the Savannah club (I thought it was much more sexy than the final show), and Jada Pinkett Smith as MC during the final show.  Maybe the movie plays better in a full theater, but I and my fellow watchers were rather underwhelmed. 

[Ubiquitous]

So, this movie isn't based on the Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze sketch from SNL?

[DollEyes]

If it was, then all the guys would be "fluffy," not just Gabriel Iglesias' character.

 

  I don't expect' the film to be "perfect," by any means, but I do hope that it manages to be fun and sexy, two things that Fifty Shades Of Gray wasn't. However, no matter how bad MMXXL is, it couldn't be any worse than Chocolate City, which IMO wasn't just a Magic Mike rip-off in blackface, it was a bad one.

Edited July 2, 2015 by DollEyes

[hendersonrocks]

Roxane Gay recaps Magic Mike XXL. And it is glorious.

 

Potentially relevant context:

• She is a badass feminist who loves Channing Tatum
• The post's title is "I Wanted to Hug Every Part of Him With My Mouth: A Magic Mike XXL Recap"

[Pemyquid]

I dunno, I was pretty underwhelmed. I had high hopes during the initial pony scene, but it just kinda flatlined after that, with the exception of Twitch's moment at Rome's house.

Having added in Twitch, I was expecting more explosive and innovative dancing from him and from CT during the final scene. I wanted to see Twitch breaking out some more sick animation, and for them to actually dance with the women, toss them around, not just move them around like rag dolls and gyrate on their faces in unison. I'd hoped that they would use Get Low, which I think appeared in one of the trailers, or Adorn.

I found CT's predatory entrance down the catwalk in the first movie more dynamic and sexy than anything he did in this one. As someone who would never want a stranger's groin gyrating in my face, all of the pelvic thrusting was standard male stripper stuff that to me isn't arousing at all. I thought Matt Bomer's singing strip was the sexiest of the bunch until he took off all his clothes and started crawling around on the floor. But the Candy Shop and Painter routines were generic, and the abrupt transition from pretend marriage to being tied into a sex swing and then left there was...weird.

The brightest part was the flirtation with Zoey, but it was just abruptly dropped at the end of the movie. Also the gas station striptease to I Want It That Way. Supercute, that one.

[Hava]

LOVED IT. It is not a quality film by any means, but it just so darn entertaining and enjoyable. Channing Tatum dancing is...there are no words. Overall, the movie was fun and sexy. I blushed a number of times.

 

The weak part for me was the Amber Heard character. I didn't think she and Mike had any chemistry, and found her whole mysterious persona annoying. 

 

But Amber did an awesome job in the last dance scene--her reactions were spot on. And I kind of love that we didn't see a love scene between her and Channing. I think the dance scene showed us what sex between them would have been like :)

[cpcathy]

Saw this today, I thought there would be wall to wall dancing, perhaps it's reserved for Magic Mike 3? (Magic Mike Unleashed!) I enjoyed it though, it was a bit draggy. Scenes took quite a bit of time to unfold, you have to take a very casual attitude if you go see it, just chill for two hours, they're not going anywhere fast!

Loved the dancing scenes, fun, fun, fun! I can watch CT dance all day.

A few stray thoughts:

 

What exactly has Jada Pinkett Smith done to her face? It's different, right?

 

Matt Bomer--he sure is purdy.

 

Joe Manganello--please do more comedy, I see him killing it in comedy films from now on.

[Bruinsfan]

My first exposure to Joe was as Tori Spelling's cultist boyfriend on So NoTORIous, so I've always thought of him as a comedic actor rather than a serious one. Which True Blood confirmed to be correct.

[In2You]

Some scenes dragged but it was afun movie. I like that they didnt make laughable attempts to be dark and their wasn't as forced as a love story this go around. Amber Heard's character flirted with Mike but they didn't try to paint her as his savior.

 

And Matt Bomer's character was alot more memorable in this one. He really got the show off his skills.

[Ohwell]

I saw it today and while I agree that it dragged in some places, I was thoroughly entertained.  I did not miss Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfr at all (I probably misspelled their last names).  I especially didn't miss little miss stinkface whatever her name was.  

 

Jada Pinkett Smith's face looked just fine before she had the work done.  Was it the cheekbones?

 

I enjoyed everybody's dancing and since I don't watch SYTYCD I hadn't seen that Twitch dude before.  I was impressed.  Same thing with Michael Straham in those tiny gold shorts.  Lord have mercy.  I didn't know Matt Bomer could sing.  I thought he had a Prince vibe about him.  I don't remember seeing the older dude in the previous Magic Mike.  How could I have missed him?  Channing Tatum really has some incredible moves.  Every time I see Adam Rogriguez from now on I will think of Cool Whip and who knew that Donald Glover was sexy?  I sure didn't before seeing this movie.  The thing that struck me the most is that most of these guys are over 35--they are no spring roosters--and they are in great shape and hot as hell.  Joe Manganiello.  Sophia:  Get that.  Damn.

 

This movie won't get any awards and I wasn't expecting it to but it was a nice, relaxing way to spend an afternoon.  There was a group of women waiting outside the room until they cleaned up because there had previously been a bunch of kids in there watching a Disney movie or something, and the place was a mess.  We had to wait for about ten minutes and, I swear, there was one woman who was so eager to get into the show until I thought she was going to throttle one of those poor kids who was trying to clean up.  I was surprised to see two brave men who brought their wives/girlfriends.  The rest of us women just sat back and gorged on all the stuff that was bad for us.

[Raja]

.  I was surprised to see two brave men who brought their wives/girlfriends.  The rest of us women just sat back and gorged on all the stuff that was bad for us.

She puts up with mine and I put up with her's

[MarkHB]

I am, unsurprisingly, not going to be seeing this, but one thing did strike me: the commercials are leading with a slide that says, "A Time-Warner Company," and it's using the old Warner Communications logo that hadn't been seen since the original Time, Inc. merger.

[Bruinsfan]

I suppose it was enjoyable enough, but it didn't have enough funny to be a good comedy, and it didn't have enough sexy to be a good stripper movie (Channing and Joe seemed to be the only ones who really committed to the stripping this time around, though newcomer Michael Strahan also put forth an admirable effort).

 

We do find out that Mike apparently has a type these days: troubled, dismissive blonde women who scowl a lot. (Although thankfully they at least got one who can act this time around, and the whole plot didn't revolve around her.)

Edited July 5, 2015 by Bruinsfan

[megsara]

It HAS to be Magic Mike: 3D.

 

Some parts definitely dragged but I was appreciative of the hotness, which there was plenty.  I loved Ritchie's "journey" - Joe M is great at comedy.  The convenience store, throwing the phone out, talking about not getting laid, and that whole think with Andie McDowell, aka the Glass Slipper, was great.  And I loved his solo routine at the end.  Hot.

 

Also loved Bomer's routine at the end - the singing then the butt peeking out at the back?  Yum yum yum.

 

CT and tWitch's routine was fantastic, and the expressions on the ladies' faces was great.  

 

I also appreciated it wasn't just the skinny gals who got some fabulous attention from the boys.

 

I hadn't realized Elizabeth Banks was in this - did she request a part?  I would have been happy to have been on that set. 

[DollEyes]

My verdict: I loved it. As I expected, it wasn't a "perfect" film, but I was thoroughly entertained anyway. If Fifty Shades Of Gray killed sexiness in the movies, then MMXXL brought it back, with a vengeance. In other words, MMXXL has made sex sexy again. Unlike FSOG, the sexy parts here were fun, from start to finish. I also loved its message about celebrating women of all ages, shapes and sizes. Channing Tatum is even hotter than ever, if that's possible. That man has more moves than a bionic belly dancer. Joe Mangianello was great, too. He manages to be both funny and sexy. His being naked in the first 10 minutes didn't hurt, nor did his dancing, especially in the convenience store. Big Dick Richie's potshot at Twilight was funny, especially since he's the Guy From True Blood Formerly Known As Alcide-who, IMO, was a better actor than, say, Luke Grimes, who supposedly quit the show because he didn't want his character to be bisexual.

 

  I've known about Matt Bomer's hotness since Guiding Light and about his singing skills since he sang at the Kennedy Center Honors a few years ago, so his putting both to great use here didn't surprise me in the least.

 

  However, the dance numbers in general and the finale in particular were killer. My faves were Mike's second "Pony" routine, the vogueing contest at the drag club, BDR's bump & grind to "I Want It That Way," everything in Domina, Ken's version of "Untitled (How Does it Feel)," BDR's mash-up of "Marry You"/ "Closer" and Mike & Malik's mirror routine.

 

  Getting back to the Domina scenes, after one particular number to Jodeci's "Freek'n You," I don't think I'll ever look at Michael Strahan the same way again.  

Edited July 6, 2015 by DollEyes

[Ohwell]

Getting back to the Domina scenes, after one particular number to Jodeci's "Freek'n You," I don't think I'll ever look at Michael Strahan the same way again.

You know, as much as I loved all the guys in this movie, something about Michael Strahan in those tiny gold shorts just sticks out in my mind.  (Did I just write that?)

I never thought of him as being particularly sexy before, but OMG I just loved his routine with the big woman.  I'm about half her size and I've been having fantasies about him tossing me around like a small salad.  Lord have mercy. 

 

I plan to go see this again.  As for a third movie, I'm all for Magic Mike:  3D.  Throw in Michael B. Jordan, too.

[Raja]

 

   Getting back to the Domina scenes, after one particular number to Jodeci's "Freek'n You," I don't think I'll ever look at Michael Strahan the same way again.  

The stunt casting didn't seem to add anything to me my wife did give a wasn't that..... His dancing was on Kevin Nash's level. Perhaps it was just to insure Live and other entertainment press would continue to cover the show since it does play on the outsides of the sex industry.

 

As a movie it was more of a crowd pleaser strip show to the audience rather then a look at the dirty side of the industry as Channing Tatum was trying to get out in  the original Magic Mike

Edited July 7, 2015 by Raja

[DkNNy79]

I enjoyed it for what it was: a fun movie with lots of eye candy and dancing that will make me blush.  It definitely dragged in some spots.  I'm glad they didn't try to focus on any romantic relationships.

 

I've never been to a strip club before so I enjoy getting a peak at what its like.  I'd like to go for the experience, although I don't think I would be comfortable having a guy gyrating in my face.

[Ohwell]

I went to a few strip clubs in the late 80's back when the Chippendales were hot.  Are they still around?  Since two Magic Mike movies have come out, I wonder just how popular male strip clubs are now?  Are they more prevalent/popular in the South as opposed to the rest of the country?   

 

And yes, when I did go to the strip clubs I made sure to sit in the back because I know I would have been too embarrassed to have a guy gyrating in my face. : )

[DollEyes]

 

The stunt casting didn't seem to add anything to me my wife did give a wasn't that.....his dancing was on Kevin Nash's level.

 

  I totally disagree. I've seen Michael Strahan dance before and he's definitely better than Kevin Nash.

 

 

I am, unsurprisingly, not going to be seeing this, but one thing did strike me: the commercials are leading with a slide that says, "A Time-Warner Company," and it's using the old Warner Communications logo that hadn't been seen since the original Time Inc. merger.

 

  They used the same logo for the first film that they did for this one, but it was used before for Argo, but I think that was because of the late '70s time period in which it took place and that was the same logo Warner Bros. used for its films back then.

[Raja]

I went to a few strip clubs in the late 80's back when the Chippendales were hot.  Are they still around?  Since two Magic Mike movies have come out, I wonder just how popular male strip clubs are now?  Are they more prevalent/popular in the South as opposed to the rest of the country?   

 

And yes, when I did go to the strip clubs I made sure to sit in the back because I know I would have been too embarrassed to have a guy gyrating in my face. : )

The Chippendales brand is licensed worldwide and they have a main show at a Las Vegas casino. The original Chippendales club in Los Angeles, the Palms neighborhood long ago became a day care center

[Ohwell]

Thanks for the information about the Chippendales.  I wonder if the other male strip clubs are successful.

[Rick Kitchen]

Thunder From Down Under is still a thing, right?

[Ohwell]

I had never heard of Thunder from Down Under but I checked and they're still in Las Vegas and touring.  Same as Chippendales.

[cpcathy]

I've only ever been to a bachelorette party that had a male stripper there, the bride to be was so timid she wouldn't even look at him! The rest of us had to volunteer to be the "victims." It helps if you're in your twenties, drunk and single.

[Bruinsfan]

  I totally disagree. I've seen Michael Strahan dance before and he's definitely better than Kevin Nash.

Elaine Benes is a better dancer than Kevin Nash.

[FozzyBear]

I haven't seen it yet, but what is the girl saying in the commercial that's been running? It's "Any *mumble, mumble* worth believing in *mumble, mumble* thong *mumble*" What? Does she mumble through the whole thing?

[Actionmage]

" Any god worth believing in will send me a stripper in a thong." I think. 

 

It was fun and sexy and my husband at least didn't go to sleep. He was more concerned with how the trip was laid out, geographically. *g*

 

I was another who never saw the first one, so I still have to play catch-up. I enjoyed this one because it was just a dizzy excuse for these guys to hang out ( as it were) and get paid for doing so.  I'm okay with that. Also that it wasn't some deep think piece, things didn't go boom every ten minutes, no one was planning to destroy the planet, or gain super-powers. ( I love super-hero movies, even.)  Nice strippers is not a bad genre to have, imo.  Maybe we can get Daniel Dae Kim for any sequel? Maybe George Takei as a club owner or someone who presides over/ judges the international competition, as some nice poster suggested? ( The international competition was suggested, to be clearer.)

 

I will have to watch this again. For science.  *G*

[Athena]

I rarely go to movies in theatres anymore, but I saw the first movie with a good girl friend and we decided to do it again. This was her second time because she couldn't resist going with other friends as well. It was obvious that she was not the only multiple screener in our audience. We went to a VIP lounge too and it was very nice. I think if I go on Tuesdays, it's worth it for movies. Really fun.

 

I enjoyed the movie. My downside was Amber Heard who was a step up from Cody Horn, but still boring. I'm glad there was not a lot of love scenes like the last one. Jada was a big improvement as a MC. The Savannah scenes were fun. I just enjoyed the boys hanging out and dancing. Very nice, mindless entertainment.

 

I like the movie experience with other women as you go. It's become cultural. Like one of the reviews by the strippers said above, "This movie shows our industry in a positive light. The other one didn’t. Our motto is to make our customers feel like queens. It really embraced what we’re about."

[DollEyes]

  Besides the dancing, there were other good things about the film. Amber Heard's Zoe wasn't my favorite character, but at least she was more fun to watch than Cody Horn's non-acting, mean-mugging ass. Jada Pinkett Smith, Elizabeth Banks, Andie Mac Dowell Donald Glover are nice additions to the cast. JPS did a great job as Mike's ex, Roman. She had chemistry with Channing Tatum, Stephen "tWitch" Boss and especially Elizabeth Banks. If JPS's scenes with Banks' character Paris are any indication, I think those two are/were way more than just friends. As Big Dick Riche's so-called "glass slipper," Andie MacDowell was a trip. Her scenes with the boys and her fellow Drunk Housewives of Savannah were hilarious. Donald Glover is adorable. Like Matt Bomer, Glover can sing his ass off.

 

 

Elaine Benes is a better dancer than Kevin Nash.

 

  No way. At least in Nash's finale number, he did some paso doble-inspired cape work; Elaine, otoh, couldn't even manage that, even on her best day.

 

 

Maybe we can get Daniel Dae Kim for any sequel? Maybe George Takei as a club owner or someone who presides over/judges the international competition, as some nice poster suggested?

 

  As said "nice poster" (thanks, BTW), I not only think that those are great casting ideas, I would also put Daniel Henney, Byung-hun Lee and Ian Anthony Dale in the mix as well. As for Latinos, my picks are Gael Garcia Bernal, William Levy and Javier Bardem. About Takei, after seeing the boys for the first time, I can imagine him having one response: "Oh, My!"

Edited July 11, 2015 by DollEyes

[Bruinsfan]

I enjoyed the movie. My downside was Amber Heard who was a step up from Cody Horn, but still boring.

To be fair, a department store mannequin with a frown sharpied on its face and a tape recorder playing back some random grip reading lines opposite Channing would be a step up from Cody Horn.

[Ohwell]

As for Latinos, my picks are Gael Garcia Bernal, William Levy and Javier Bardem.

 

William Levy.  Lord have mercy.  Please, please let that happen.

[shoregirl]

I would like to see Harry Shum jr. Good dancer and great abs.

[DollEyes]

 Now that you mention it,   Harry Shum Jr. and his abs would be perfect for part 3. Plot-wise, the competition could take place in a foreign country like England, France, Spain, Australia or Japan, with the prize money being at least six figures in the winning country's currency, which could do wonders for Mike & Tito's small businesses.

[Ohwell]

I had never heard of Harry Shum, Jr. so I looked him up.  He's got nice abs and he's nice-looking but I can't tell from the pics how much swagger (ok, sex appeal) he has though.