Your “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” experience is going to heavily depend on how committed you are to having a good time. Followers of the franchise might discern that the third entry into the series tries to return to a bit of the form of “Magic Mike.” To jog memories: while the first contained considerable visual entertainment of a certain nature, it also had grittier plot points driving the film forward. Meanwhile “Magic Mike XXL” focused more on the campy camaraderie between the bros.
“Magic MIke’s Last Dance” sheds all of that like it’s trying to cut weight for an upcoming match. Instead it tries to reintroduce more of the romantic plot elements found in “Magic Mike.” It does so by pairing Salma Hayek Pinault with a returning Channing Tatum. Hayek plays a moneyed mama going through some sh*t. Trilogy director Steven Soderbergh and writer Reid Carolin seem to be attempting to go for some sort of feminist slant to the film.
Unfortunately, those parts of the film feel somewhat weak. While we’d have loved a fully three dimensional representation of the motivations of a modern woman, we’re left with a bit more of a “tell instead of show” situation.
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We’ll Do It Live
Speaking of shows, the “Magic Mike Live” stage show’s influence is very clear. It almost feels like a glorified ad for going to see a live performance. The film ends up being nothing more than the trailers portray it as. However, that’s not necessarily a barrier to a good time. This reviewer’s screening treated the film as if it was indeed happening live in front of them. The enthusiasm was transformative, elevating a middling slightly stilted film and turning it into a great night out.
There’s nothing preventing you from jumping in at this point in the trilogy. Devotees of the series will have a decent time (a great time if they bring rowdy friends). Newcomers whose interest is piqued by the trailer will also get exactly what they are promised.
“Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is now playing in theaters.
