Movie Review: Magic Mike’s Last Dance (R – 112 minutes)

 

The first Magic Mike movie was a Steven Soderbergh character drama film that lied about being a fun movie about male entertainers. In the second movie, Magic Mike and his fun friends from the first movie have a fun road trip down to a fun convention and have fun hijinks on the way. In case you missed my opinion there – the second movie was way more fun. Perhaps because it was directed by Gregory Jacobs instead of Soderbergh? But also because it include some actual dancers instead of some actors they tried to teach to dance. I’m not complaining – they tried their best! But, having Twitch in any of the sequences will make you realize just how unskilled the rest of the cast (except for Channing Tatum) are.

This third entry into the franchise brings back Soderbergh as the director, but he apparently listened to audience feedback because this one definitely includes some big time fun.  Mike is working as a bartender at an exclusive party (apparently that custom furniture business he keeps trying to start is still not working?), he gets talked (or bought) into performing a steamy lap dance for wealthy (crazy wealthy) recently divorced Maxandra.  Inspired, she takes him to London with her to put together a show in a theater she has just gained as part of the divorce.  Max and Mike work together to bring some fun and sexy to a show while navigating developing feelings for each other.

This third one may be my favorite of the group. The relationship between Max and Mike is interesting and Soderbergh-style moody enough without clouding over all the fun dance sequences. And my goodness – there are finally a ton of fun dance sequences! Hiring a large group of really talented dancers made such a difference. Again – no shade on Matt Bomer, Joe Maganiello, Adam Rodriguez, and Kevin Nash’s terrible knees – they certainly were having fun.  The sequences of Max and Mike finding, recruiting, and choreographing with the dancers in this movie are great. Of course, none of those characters even get names. They are just there to dance.  

Channing Tatum has such an effortless every-guy charisma that he is fun to watch in non-dancing moments and he’s such an incredible dancer that he is fantastic to watch in dance sequences. The final number in this movie with he and the ballerina is amazing. 

Salma Hayek is certainly believable as Max, both in the barely-keeping it together divorced aspect and the looking to do something fun and unique with the money aspect. The daughter gets to narrate and move the plot along and I found her charming as well. I am not sure I buy how in love Max and Mike are by the end of the movie, but it certainly provides a good finish.  

Overall, far more entertaining that the first and slightly better assembled than the second. Absolutely worth a watch.

6 out of 10

Movie review: Plane (R – 107 minutes)

 

I have said it before and I am sure I will say it again. I love a movie that delivers exactly what it promises and knows its role.  This movie could not be more clear about exactly what it is planning to give you.

Plane centers around Captain Brodie Torrance – who gives us all the character development we need about him while on a video call with his daughter on New Year’s Eve. He has one last flight to do with only 14 passengers and then he will join her in Hawaii for New Year’s.  As he touches base with his flight crew, an unexpected criminal is added to his flight to be transported back to where ever after being caught somewhere (details are not important).  He and the crew agree to just go with it because they all want to get home.  The airport tower sends them on a fuel-saving shorter route through a bad storm, despite their misgivings. 

After getting hit by lightning (they shouldn't have gone through that storm!), the plane goes down on a remote island near the Philippines.  Unfortunately, this island is run by local bad guys (revolutionaries? Smugglers? Criminals?). They are so bad, the government will not come to that island any more, so Captain Torrance, his crew, the criminal, and the passengers are on their own.  While the airline calls in help to reach them, Brodie has to keep them alive long enough to be rescued.

Simple and straightforward, this delightful little action flick is directed by Jean-Francois Richet and goes from the first word. It is a bit of a chastisement of the airlines who look to cut corners where possible, but really it’s a Gerard Butler action movie in which he actually gets to use his own accent.  He’s great in these types of flicks, but I never buy a fake American accent on him (sorry, Geostorm), but here, he’s perfect as the pilot who will get his passengers home no matter what. 

Mike Colter is great as the transported criminal who while guilty, still seems like a good dude. The two of them make great instant partners as they collaborate to rescue the passengers once they become hostages. 

Yoson An as the Samuel the co-pilot and Daniella Pineada as Bonnie the leader of the flight crew both understand the assignment and are perfect in their supporting roles.  Each get just enough character development to give you concern about their well-being throughout the course of the movie. 

Overall - The story is clear, the goals are understandable, and the action is fun and at just over an hour and a half – it is the perfect length for a movie like this.  Also, bonus points for surprise Tony Goldwyn as the airline fixer who gets called in to start the process of finding and recovering the plane once it is lost.  Grab your popcorn and settle in.

8 out of 10