Friday, August 03, 2012

Magic Mike (2012)


MagicmikeDIRECTOR: Steven Soderbergh ; CAST: Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn, Matt Bomer

SUMMARY (from IMDB): Mike (Tatum), an experienced stripper, takes a younger performer called The Kid (Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money.

MY OPINION:

Magic Mike is so over-hyped I felt let down after seeing it. Its basic purpose is for the guys to show as much nudity as they can in a PG-13 rated film. While I have no problem with this movie mainly being about objectifying men (they are, after all, doing the same where women are concerned all the time), but the trailer had been promising more than that and more than the film actually delivers. 

The story is very superficial, which was another disappointment. I think there could be more to say about some of the characters, especially Mike, Adam/the Kid, and his sister Brooke.

There was a hint at a romance between Mike and Brooke. Based on the trailers, I had expected more focus on their relationship and Brooke's dealing with Mike's job, but that aspect was only faintly pointed at.

By the end, I began to hate two characters – Dallas and the Kid – who are both world class jerks. The Kid's behaviour is understandable to some extent – after all he is just a kid, a lazy, irresponsible teenager who does not know what to do with himself. I loathed Dallas (McConaughey) for being a selfish arrogant egoistic [insert your word of choice] who breaks his word to people/his friends.

I admit I mostly went to see Magic Mike because of Matt Bomer, although he has only a minor role. He mostly stands in the background and looks good. I think this film was a waste of talent for him and McConaughey. Also, I am a little shocked that a director like Soderbergh made a film like this one – I would expect something different from him.

On the whole, the film is entertaining. It has some funny moments, and there is plenty of eye-candy to enjoy.

RECOMMENDATION: Magic Mike is a watchable movie for some light entertainment when you have some time to kill in this hot summer. Just don't expect too much from it.

6 comments:

  1. While your comments are most definitely true, I didn't go expecting to do anything other than enjoy the view of Channing Tatum. Therefore I was not disappointed. :-)

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    1. Oh, I enjoyed the view of Channing Tatum (and the other guys), too, no complaints there. :)

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  2. I didn't watch enough commercials ahead of time, I really just knew it was about guy strippers, and therefore I was kind of disappointed that there was so much of a storyline, lol. The fact that it was a really weak plot didn't help much. But yay for the fun eye candy, and that I had some amaretto sours while watching it!

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    1. I guess we were just the opposite then, lol. :)

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  3. Well I haven't seen it yet, but I am already not expecting much more than just eye candy. ;)

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    1. I hope you enjoy it when/if you get to see it!

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Don't hesitate to drop me a few strange new words! I'd love to hear what you think!