Steven Soderbergh returns as director in Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Soderbergh improves on the first Magic Mike film. However, Magic Mike’s Last Dance can’t quite conjure up the fun of Magic Mike XXL.
Mike is hired to put on a show in London after giving Selma Hayek‘s Maxandra Mendoza a private dance and striking up a quick romance. Mike’s new job puts their romance to the test. Will Maxandra wilt in face of resistance from her ex-husband or plow through with the show?
Hayek and Channing Tatum have good chemistry. However, the most intimate connection comes early in the film. They work better as boss and employee. In fact, everything outside of putting the show together falls flat.
The decision to give Mike a job as a choreographer of sorts is the best story development in the franchise. As stupid as a bunch of dancers stripping for the lady on a bus so they can pass a building code ordinance is, it works for this franchise somehow. Also, I really enjoyed how the film focused on consent and female pleasure, which was hinted at in Magic Mike XXL, but is all over Last Dance.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance doesn’t have the comedy or surprises featured in Magic Mike XXL. Last Dance also struggles to make any of the other dancers stand out as characters. However, the dancing in the 3rd act is tremendous and rivals the conclusion of Magic Mike XXL.
For some reason, Soderbergh and screenwriter Reid Carolin decided to use a narrator for the first time in the franchise. The voiceover by Maxandra’s daughter talking about the emotional connection and history of dancing is the worst element of the film.
Overall, Magic Mike’s Last Dance is a fine conclusion to the franchise. Although the lack of characters from previous films does take away from bro humor which was a consistent highlight in XXL. The entire Magic Mike franchise is available to stream on HBO Max.
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The Review
Magic Mike's Last Dance
PROS
- The dance sequences are electrifying.
- Salma Hayek and Channing Tatum have good chemistry.
- Everything about preparing for the dance show works well enough.
CONS
- The narrator choice is terrible.
- Everything that doesn't involve the dance show falls flat.
- Conflict is resolved too quickly.
