Pretty Good

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

After the cult success of Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike (2012) - a loose adaptation of star Channing Tatum's experiences as a stripper (or male entertainer) early on in his career - it was of little surprise when a follow-up was announced. What made the first movie such a surprising success was the way it mixed the flashy dance moves with genuine character development, making for a touching and oddly sweet experience that also touched on themes such as the economy and the American Dream. For XXL, the focus seems to be solely on giving the audience what they want, and that means more abs, biceps and bulges.However, this all means a half-arsed story-line that quickly finds a way to get 'Magic' Mike (Tatum) back with his gyrating buddies. The end of the first film saw Mike abandon the life he was never truly happy with and realising his dream of starting his own company selling custom-made furniture. The company is either struggling or about to take off, but it's clear that Mike is still unfulfilled, and when he receives a phone message from Tarzan (Kevin Nash), he is soon enough on the road to a stripper convention with 'Big Dick' Richie (Joe Manganiello), Ken (Matt Bomer), Tito (Adam Rodriguez) and Tobias (Gabriel Inglesias). That's generally it. Magic Mike XXL's main issue is that the story seems to fumble around trying to come up with interesting places to take its characters.Very much a road movie at heart, the group find themselves encountering new characters along the way. With Cody Horn not returning (her disappearance is rather unconvincingly explained,) the love interest this time around is Zoe (Amber Heard), a gorgeous bohemian-type who doesn't seem to be put of by Mike's distinctly douchebag-y dress sense. There's also Andie MacDowell as a horny Southern lady who, along with her wine-guzzling friends, indulge in a private party. Mike also hooks up with his old friend/lover/colleague Rome (Jada Pinkett Smith), a sort-of stripper madame who hosts a house to entertain the ladies, and whose employees include the smooth-talking Andre (future young Lando Calrissian Donald Glover). There is sadly no return for Matthew McConaughey as Dallas or Alex Pettyfer as The Kid, who have apparently both eloped to Europe chasing a lucrative stripping deal. Gregory Jacobs also replaces Soderbergh as director.The new characters provide to be little more than a distraction from the meandering plot, which forces Mike and his pals into a few moments of utter tedium. When the film stays with the guys and just allows them to shoot the s**t, it's actually very funny, and leads to the best scene of both movies by letting a pilled-up Richie loose on a grumpy-looking gas station clerk. By trying to do more by giving each character their own emotional arc, it actually holds back a film that would be better served giving the audience even more of what they really came for, stripping. Even for a straight male, the dance scenes are electrifying, with the climax delivering an all-out dance-a-thon that allows each character their moment to shine. It made me smile between the dull moments, but this is ultimately forgettable stuff.

This film was perfect - sexy, silly, fun, cheesy, ridiculous, dancing, singing and focus on female pleasure. Yes, please - I'd gladly have some more! I can't believe I've only seen it now and it totally made my day - I remember trying to get a girls' party together to go to the cinema at the time but we could't quite manage - a pity. I would have loved to see it on a big screen surrounded by excited audience.This is the Magic Mike that I wanted - the first one was great as far as Channing Tatum's story was concerned however that "poor little spoilt boy" addition was quite unfortunate, unnecessary and unconvincing. I just didn't buy it. The love interest could have been a little more attractive as well. Well, never mind that now the good stuff arrived!Here we have everything: sight of fit naked backside in the first 3 minutes, a prank, Channing's wet-suit Mr Darcy moment, cheesy banter, "My Pony" solo and that's just the start. Fun all the way and focus on the right things: friendship, doing what you like and are good at, working at being a good performer, having fun and giving women what they want.Some moments are so cheesy that I laughed out loud - but it's meant to be a bit ridiculous and not taking itself seriously.I loved every minute of it. Even over-the-top faux romantic singing. Channing - yes. Yes. The best in hot and exciting dancing ever, hands down. He moves like he was born to dance - like he loves it. Poetry in motion, need I say more! I actually loved that there was no actual sex in this film - it reminds me of some of those teasing sex-bomb comedies from the 50s where women are portrayed as over-the-top sexy, cheesy and silly - only here we have a gender reversal. Perfect male-cheesecake film and oh so pleasing.

The first Magic Mike I watched in our movie room with my girlfriends. I think we all were completely in awe and more than turned on with the first movie. It was more than hot, exciting and definitely what us women wanted and have been waiting for all this time. There was an actual plot in this movie unlike what we assumed there would be none. I really enjoyed the movie, the men, the plot and movie was great. Now this movie have completely lost everything. I actually tried watching it several times, the first and second time I really fell asleep which should absolutely never happen with Magic Mike. Basically the last ten minutes is the only time you see Magic Mike or Channing dancing and taking it off. Hello isn't that why we are watching this movie? Ya not impressed.

Mike (Channing Tatum) is working his dream of making furniture but he's barely scrapping by. Dallas has left the Kings of Tampa behind and the guys are looking for one last blow-out. Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Tarzan (Kevin Nash), Ken (Matt Bomer), Tito (Adam Rodriguez), and MC Tobias (Gabriel Iglesias) are going on a road trip to a convention in Myrtle Beach run by Paris (Elizabeth Banks). When Tobias gets hurt in a crash, Mike recruits Rome (Jada Pinkett Smith) who brings along Andre (Donald Glover). Mike falls for Zoe (Amber Heard) but the guys are joined by her mother Nancy Davidson (Andie MacDowell) and her friends.I like the first thirty minutes or so. It kept some of the Soderbergh style. I like Manganiello who is very charming and a little funny. I love him in the convenient store. It's the most innocent fun and I wish the movie stays with that feel. The movie should stay with the six guys having misadventures on the road on their way to the big gig. Then it tries to replace Matthew McConaughey with Jada Pinkett Smith. Matthew stole the first movie. Jada seems to be trying to repeat the feat but it's not the same. Then it tries to inject Glover in with the group which only jumbles up the chemistry once again. The Andie MacDowell section is interesting and it would be great as a companion scene to other more humorous scenes. The last thirty minutes is a long series of stripper performances. I'm sure it's orgasmic for middle aged girlfriends drinking their wines but it gets pretty boring for me. I like the first act but the movie loses a little bit of chemistry when it sets aside Iglesias.