Co-financed by Steven Soderbergh and Channing Tatum, MAGIC MIKE is a comedy/drama/biography scripted by Reid Carolin.  As the mass media speculates the concept within the creation of MAGIC MIKE is based on the early life of Channing Tatum himself who was a male stripper in his late teens. Whilst this project is proposed and initiated by Tatum himself, the motion picture on its whole is fictional however certain parallels at certain intervals could be drawn with the STEP UP stars past life.

 

Rated R this picture most certainly isn’t for a general audience. Whilst it is a thoroughly enjoyable movie to the mature audience the themes discussed maybe frowned upon in certain cultures. As an enthusiast of the motion picture the reason behind my choice to write a positive review on this title is based on a deeper interpretation of the theme that spoke to me.(The misconception and scrutiny of individuals that is based on profession.)  However that isn’t the area of focus instead this critic will bring to light Soderbergh’s success in this biography.

 

Mike (Tatum) is an entrepreneur as he claims himself to be and is a jack of many trades and king of none. Mike also on the other hand has been a male stripper for a span of over 6 years trying to save money on the side whilst having a good time in order to someday bring to reality his dream of running a business.  Adam (Alex Pettyfer) is a 19 year old boy who has just lost his football scholarship to college owing to an altercation with the coach on the very first day at practice. Adam who is on the hunt for jobs is hired to work at a construction site that Mike himself is employed. Adam manages to get fired on the first day from this job as well. Mike who takes a liking to the kid gives him a ride home. The friendship builds into a closer bond and Mike introduces Adam into the world of male stripping at the Xquisite strip club owned by Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). Although a stripper by night Mike’s motives are professional. However the young teen is absorbed into the darker and gloomier corruption that lurks around night life professions. Soderbergh narrates us a story from both Paradigms mixing it up with moments of laughter and emotion and as usual a famous open ended Soderbergh ending.

 

I am not certain how many readers would agree with me on this next statement. If you watch closely all Soderbergh movies have an ending that is open ended and could be whatever the viewer wanted it to be. MAGIC MIKE is no different.

 

Whilst Soderbergh failed to impress with CONTAGION and HAYWIRE he seems to have got it right with MAGIC MIKE. For starters his entire cast isn’t Hollywood royalty. This is a good change since the OCEANS franchise that play of his has always failed. Tatum and Pettyfer are amazing and daringly convincing in what they do. The man of the hour is none other than the Lincoln Lawyer himself; Matthew McConaughey. This man on his own is the center mast of the sail that is MAGIC MIKE. Everyone else leans onto him for support and ricochets on his presence catapulting the movie forward. Soderbergh has never really worked on movies that discuss the themes of puppy love that is evident in MAGIC MIKE. As anticipated a royal mockery is made of all scenes that include the little love tussle between Mike and Brooke (Cody Hor). If one can turn a blind eye to that, then MAGIC MIKE is a home run that is much deserved by the cast and crew.

 

Do not be misguided by Tatum’s and McConaughey presence and expect this to be the farce that was 21JUMPSTREET. Instead this a near match biography of Tatum said in the most simplest of manners whilst capturing a great element of positive entertainment.

 

TITLE: MAGIC MIKE

DIRECTED BY: STEVEM SODERBERGH

STARRING: MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY and ALEX PETTYFER

RATED: R

RATING:06/10

RUNTIME: 110 MINUTES