Magic Mike
Dir: Steven
Soderbergh
Starring: Channing
Tatum, Matthew McConaughey,
and Alex Pettyfer
Director Steven Soderbergh is meticulous about process and
routine, this is seen prominently with his recent films The Girlfriend Experience and
Haywire. While the plotlines of these films are paper-thin, Soderbergh has
a gift for making even the most mundane elements seem important. Magic Mike, underneath all the sex
appeal, tries hard to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess but more
often than not feels too safe and glamorized to really explore those themes,
however for some viewers that might not be a bad thing.

Soderbergh explores the routine of these performers daily
lives. From shopping, to work outs, and even late night rendezvous with adoring
fans from the show; it’s all a process of their job on the stage. To an extent
Soderbergh achieves this narrative element however it’s also lopsided, we are
invited into all the glamour of the world but never really confront the dangers
or perils of the lifestyle. This askew narrative element stalls the film around
the midpoint and keeps the film from taking that next crucial dramatic step, which in less experienced hands would ruin the experience but in Soderbergh's keeping allows the film to continue to limber with interest.

Magic Mike starts
off promising and entertaining; there is an uncanny energy that director Steven
Soderbergh crafts with the characters from the start. The film embraces the
glamorous aspects of adult entertainment, the idea of all fun with no
consequence; however, while this idea might entertain those that are looking
for nothing more than sexy dance sequences and chiseled physiques, which there
is aplenty, it prevents the characters and the film from excelling beyond the
superficial.
Monte’s Rating
3.00 out of 5.00
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