Magic Mike

MAGIC MIKE

Soderbergh scores a hat trick.

2012: Warner Bros. Pictures

2012, Drama, Rated R

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

          I honestly don't think this film requires a review from me. You must experience it for yourself. Let me lay out why I am extremeley biased toward it, though. Magic Mike's director, Steven Soderbergh, is the director of such impeccable films as Traffic (for which he won the Best Director Academy Award), Erin Brockovich, Sex, Lies, and Video Tape, Solaris, Contagion, Haywire, Ocean's Eleven, etc. The list goes on. All "male stripper movie" notions aside...this is just the next excellent film by Steven Soderbergh. When I say he scored a hat trick I am refering to the fact that Contagion came out last fall, Haywire this past January, and now we get Magic Mike. Three superb films in half a year is quite a feat. Only the brilliant Soderbergh could pull it off.

          Another reason I was amped for this movie was, you guessed it, Channing Tatum. He pretty much made The Vow watchable. 21 Jump Street is the best R-rated comedy in a long time. He also appears in Soderbergh's Haywire (if you haven't seen Haywire, you should) and does a fine job, displaying his diverse acting abilities in all his scenes. Ever since he burst onto the scene he has accumulated pretty much everyone's attention, and rightfully so. He is a total movie star, through and through. Magic Mike is just Tatum's newest platform to show off his star power...and his body.

          So that is why I'm not like most dudes who run screaming like a girl who found a spider in the shower when I hear Magic Mike aka "that male stripper movie". Guys hear about it and go "Ugh, why would I watch that? I'm too manly to watch that. I can't stand watching men disrobe even if it's done artfully and tastefully." Get over yourself. You think women want to see bare breasts in every single R-rated comedy? I doubt it. But there they are, bouncing in everyone's faces, almost every time you watch one. Now it's the men's turn to bounce in your face.

          This is just a great movie, no question about it. It is shot with that same gritty, realistic feel as Traffic, Contagion, and Haywire. Visually, the movie is gorgeous. Every scene that took place outside (every scene that didn't involve stripping) had a harsh pale glow to it, as if the lense of the camera couldn't take all that Florida sunshine. The colors were all a dull yellow or a light brown. It gave the film a unique look. The stripping scenes were less about background color, and more about foreground performace. They were full of elaborate props and sets for the men to dance around. The costumes were (until they were removed) interesting and fit the mood of each themed dance. Visually, the movie is excellent and I have no complaints.

          I really appreciated the use of long, sustained shots in this film. The dialogue was extremely realistic so when you heard it spoken throughout and entire conversation in one sustained shot, you can't help but be impressed. Both the script and the actors' deliveries of the script were perfect. There are many subtle yet superb shots in the film, but you may miss them because you will be so involved in the story.

          The plot of the film is kind of like this: Magic Mike (Tatum) is the best stripper at a male strip joint owned and run by Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). Mike has other jobs, though, and at one of them he meets Adam, played by Alex Pettyfer. This is where comparisons to Boogie Nights find their merit. Adam is basically Mark Wahlberg's character and instead of penetrating the porn business (right word? Yeah, I think it is), he penetrates the male stripper business. Alex is essentially taken under Mike's wing and he, along with the audience, get an uncensored look into that taboo world of male strippers. Alex gets into some trouble with drugs and such and we see the problems and dangers of getting in over your head in any situation.  

          I gotta say it: do yourself a favor and go see Magic Mike. At the very least you will see the film that everyone is talking about. It's a great film, through and through. Every actor, and I mean every actor, turns in a great performance. The cinematography is perfect, the script is deep and involving, and the stripping scenes are, well, pretty much awesome. For me it was hysterical watching those actors strut their stuff on that stage. It doesn't hurt that they are all really good dancers and performers. If you're a girl, well, you probably don't need me to tell you to go see Channing Tatum take off his clothes. This is great movie. Go see it.

          Side note: I didn't go into too much detail about the other actors in the film because they are all equally excellent. I wouldn't know where to start. There's really nothing to complain about in Soderbergh's newest work of art. Also, Soderbergh is the cinematographer for almost all his films including Magic Mike under the alias Peter Andrews.