Magic Mike

            I recently rented this summer’s “Magic Mike” from a Redbox. “Magic Mike” is a drama directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Reid Carolin. The main actors are Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey and Cody Horn. Rotten Tomatoes gives the movie an 80% fresh rating. This surprises me. I thought it was okay, but I don’t think it quite deserves that high of a score.

            Mike (Tatum) is an experienced stripper and entrepreneur. He takes Adam, The Kid, (Pettyfer) under his guidance. Mike introduces him into the world of stripping and quick money. Mike teaches him to pick up women and party. Even though Mike is great as a stripper, he would rather be making custom furniture.

            The plot started with a very basic storyline. It reminded me of  “Coyote Ugly,” but with guys. It went the very predictable route with Mike and Adam’s sister, Brooke (Horn). The movie got a little better with the serious tone it took on because of the problems from living a party lifestyle. However, I think the problems were made out to be no big deal and easily solved. I was also a little disappointed with the ending. It just kind of stopped. I was left a little unfulfilled. I’ve had this same feeling with other movies Soderbergh directed.

            The dancing was great in the movie though. With Tatum as the main character, I knew it would be good. The choreographed group numbers were a lot of fun. The only thing I would say I didn’t like about the dancing is that there wasn’t enough.
            Music was used very well in the movie. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard the beginning of “It’s Raining Men” for a group dance. It was the perfect song to use. Another excellent song choice was Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” when The Kid was put on stage for the first time.

            As far as the acting goes, Tatum played his best role yet. I felt he grasped this character more than the other ones he has played. I was pleasantly surprised by Pettyfer. His character was very different from other things I’ve seen him in. I was very impressed with McConaughey in his role. I feel that he understood his character the best. Also, his performance wasn't like anything I had seen from him before. I thought the actors did a good job of making the characters interesting.

            Other movies I’ve seen that Soderbergh directed are “Haywire,” “Contagion,” “The Informant!,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Ocean’s Twelve,” “Ocean’s Thirteen” and “Erin Brockovich.” I haven’t seen anything else by Carolin. I have seen several other movies with Tatum including “21 Jump Street,” “The Vow,” “Haywire,” “Dear John,” “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” “Public Enemies,” “Step Up,” “Step Up 2: The Streets” and “She’s the Man.” Other movies I’ve seen with Pettyfer are “Beastly” and “I Am Number Four.” I’ve seen McConaughey in “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” “Failure to Launch,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “The Wedding Planner” and “Angels in the Outfield.” Lastly, the only other thing I’ve seen Horn in is “Flipped.”