Magic Mike
Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer Mathew McConaughay, Cody Horn
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Reviewed by Danielle Muir

[rating:4/5]

Shame this one wasn’t in 3D.  Am I right people?  Am I right?

Ridiculously attractive tradie Adam (Pettyfer) is down on his luck and unmotivated by his life.  By chance, he shares a shift with Mike (Tatum) who after dark becomes the lead in a troupe of male strippers, thrilling the women of their town with their moves.  Embedded in a culture of drugs, sex and some serious leather, Adam and Mike are tested as to the lifestyles they wish to lead, and the people they want to become.

Channing Tatum is severely underrated in my books.  Stigmatised from his use in romantic drama fodder (which I actually think he does remarkably well in), and breaking into comedy i.e. 21 Jump Street, the man has range.  He makes a strong lead as Mike, a character you’ll laugh with, pity and be transfixed by.  Because boy, that man can dance.  Every move is as fluid as water running through a stream, and despite the laugh-out-loud awkwardness of some routines (remember they are strippers), there’s no denying Tatum’s talent in many avenues.  In fact, some scenes feel as though Channing is put in the front and centre in order to distract you from the fact that the other actors aren’t as rhythmically talented…but they give it their best shot.  Except Pettyfer does put in a decent effort as the rookie learning the moves.

The character of Brooke (Horn), Alex’s sister, is very abrasive and guaranteed to rub people the wrong way.  I myself didn’t mind all that much, but didn’t see the appeal of her very masculine and blunt personality.

This movie is a mixture of hilarity, depravity and gives an insight into a world few have ventured into on screen, which is always something I enjoy.  The actual routines (ranging from Tarzan to the Wild West) will make you burst out laughing in a fit of awkwardness, which co-incidentally is the reaction shared by the majority of women stuffing $20 notes into the men’s underwear.  Very clever.  A note to the squeamish and the prudish – you will be uncomfortable.

Soderbergh doing a male stripper movie.  It was always destined to be great.