Should You See Magic Mike XXL?

I took my wife Babette to see the movie that every woman with a pulse is talking about – Magic Mike XXL starring Channing Tatum.

And yes, it was my idea.

My thought was, “Okay, my wife is a healthy, red-blooded American woman. She’s going to want to see this – what woman wouldn’t? So I’d better get ahead of this thing.”

So today I casually asked her, “Honey, would you like to go see Magic Mike XXL?”

The words “Magic Mike…” had barely escaped my lips…

And I noticed that Babette was already in the car.

Hmmm. Normally it takes her a good 30 minutes to get ready and out the door.

This took about 5 nanoseconds.

So clearly there was interest here. (Shocking, I know!)

But, the question is, should you spend your time and money to see Magic Mike XXL starring Channing Tatum?

As a retired professional ballet dancer, I have a somewhat unique perspective on this whole Magic Mike phenomenon.

Like, “What is it about handsome, built guys walking around with their shirts off that drives women crazy?”

Oh. That.

Anyway, Magic Mike XXL tells the story of Magic Mike 3 years removed from the first movie.

Mike Lane, played by Channing Tatum, has left his job as a stripper to start his own furniture company, and he’s doing quite well.

But then he gets a phone call that changes everything…

I don’t think I’m giving anything away to say that Mike ends up going back for one last gig with his comrades in thongs, The Kings of Tampa.

What was truly surprising – in a good way – was how the movie portrayed the genuine camaraderie – and yes, love – shared by these 5 men on their last hurrah.

One particular scene that takes place in a roadside convenience store showed the depth of their brotherhood.

The ancient Greeks had many words for love.

Modern English has only that word – love – to express that feeling or emotion.

But what struck me was how director Gregory Jacobs and screenwriters Channing Tatum (yes, he gets a screenplay credit too) and Reid Carolin were able to show the fraternal love – what the ancient Greeks called Philia or brotherly love – shared by these tabletop warriors.

Another thing I truly enjoyed about Magic Mike XXL was the quality of the dancing.

I have been a big fan of Channing Tatum ever since the original Step Up movie.

There are many things you can fake in movies.

Dancing isn’t one of them.

You can either do it or you can’t.

Channing Tatum CAN.

He simply is one of the most talented male dancers I’ve ever seen.

What’s great about that is that the director was able to shoot Channing full-screen – meaning that he didn’t have to cut and shoot around him like in so-called “dance” movies from the 80’s (I’m looking at you, John Travolta in Staying Alive).

Several of his key dancing sequences made me go, “Wow, how’d he do that?”

Of course, those same scenes turned my wife into a quivering bowl of Jello in the chair beside me.

Interesting, the difference there.

Now, of course, the question all women are asking is…

“What time is the next show?”

I suspect that women are pretty much going to see this movie no matter what.

And why not? I say, more power to you!

But what about us men? Should men see Magic Mike XXL?

I say, “Hell yes!”

Men, take your woman to see Magic Mike XXL.

She’s going to see it with her girlfriends anyway.

In fact, as I write this – and I swear I’m not making this up – Babette is seeing it again with her mom, daughters, and sister-in-law.

That would be the 10:30 pm show.

(We’re usually in bed by then. Again, hmmmm.)

And again, I say, why not?

I want my wife to feel empowered, sexy, and beautiful.

And if watching buff guys take their shirts off and strut around on stage does it for her…

At least I know she’s coming home to me.

Noah’s Note:  Men, take your woman to see Magic Mike XXL. Then reap the benefits when you get home. #MagicMikeXXL

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