Magic Mike XXL
Three years out of the stripper life, broken up with his girl, running his own furniture company Mike (Channing Tatum) is drawn back into the fold with the remaining Kings of Tampa. Their goal, to make one last road trip to Myrtle Beach for the stripper convention, prove they’re still kings, and, figure out what they’re going to do with the rest of their lives– a tall order that will take some special help from some old friends. And, what about the queens to these kings? 
Heavily influenced by Steven Soderbergh’s Magic Mike (2012) Director Gregory Jacobs leans directly on Soderbergh as Cinematographer and Editor for this latest installment maintaining a continuity and feel to the previous film. Although, act one of XXL does seem to languish in character study and plot development and instead leaves more than enough room for pregnant pauses and awkward stares, get on with it already. Meanwhile, almost like a musical on Broadway, the film’s call for dancing, erotic or otherwise often feels forced or shoehorned into the script, ala the Step Up franchise…but then again, we’re here to see dancing so is that wrong? Speaking of the dancing, once again Hip Hop is on top and the work of Stephen Boss and Tatum along with Joe Manganiello is loaded with enough material to raise eyebrows, well played men…well played indeed. But seriously, a montage to set the whole thing up again? A montage? On the positive, Jada Pinkett Smith’s character, Rome, adds a new and interesting dynamic into the world of Male Entertainers, the eyes of a woman. All told, we’re not talking a balanced and nutritious meal, and the film does get off to a slow start, but once aloft, well, please stay safely buckled in for the ride. Date night? Magic Mike XXL is rated R.