Channing Tatum is back in the newest trailer for MAGIC MIKE XXL, which shows he 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 an 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 is 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 brand new 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.