Channing Tatum teased it yesterday, and today it’s here. Check out the first trailer for MAGIC MIKE XXL, which shows Tatum hasn’t lost a step when it comes to dancing sexy for the ladies. Full disclosure, I didn’t like the first movie, and not for what would seem like the obvious reasons. I actually thought it was mostly and interesting throwback to 1980s flicks like SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER or URBAN COWBOY, but it felt like a film with no ending, stopping short of achieving greatness. And I say that as a BIG fan of Steven Soderbergh, I really wanted to love it. But the most undeniable quality of it was how it entertained women in the audience. I get it, it’s for them, so I actually didn’t have a problem with all the male dancing because of that fact. I even had the pleasure of hosting a Q&A with MAGIC MIKE star Joe Manganiello for his excellent documentary LA BARE about the male strip club in Dallas which served as inspiration for the film. My only major issue with the first movie was the cringe-worthy acting of Cody Horn, who thankfully is not back for the sequel. Returning with Channing are Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez, and Gabriel Iglesias, though Matthew McConaughey is sitting this one out – not sure he could have added much to his brilliant performance in the first outing, so maybe it’s for the best. The sequel is directed by Gregory Jacobs, who served for years as Steven Soderbergh’s Assistant Director… and in a bit of irony (?), Soderbergh will be Director of Photography on this one – he’s basically stated he’s no longer going to direct theatrical films, so I guess this fits. Check out the trailer below and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them. On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
