Film Review: Magic Mike’s Last Dance

This is an interesting scenario. Here, we have a film that I think by all accounts is pretty good and a total delight through and through, and yet, at the same time, it’s a bit of a disappointment. Magic Mike’s Last Dance might not seem like the kind of film to be carrying big expectations, but after a stellar first film and its tonally 180 and borderline radical sequel, there are definitely folks out there who are waiting for this third installment with bated breath. And while I did have a good time, the film ultimately fell short on my expectations.

In terms of plot, we have a classic “putting on a show” scenario, but with a bit of a cynical edge. A rich socialite, Maxandra Mendoza (Salma Hayek), is going through a nasty divorce from her older, media mogul husband. After encountering (and getting a dance from) him in Miami, she invites Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) to London where she wants him to put on a show that will capture the ecstasy she felt when Mike worked his magic. The theater happens to be owned by her soon-to-be-ex’s family, and the show is essentially being made out of spite. Mike takes up on her offer, and gets to putting things together.

So, right off the bat, this feels less like a sequel to any of the Magic Mike movies, and more like a throwback to the Step Up films, where Tatum got his big break. Stripping is certainly an element of the show, but there is a greater attention placed on dance and choreography. There are even some occasional narrations from Zadie (Jemelia George), Maxandra’s adopted teen daughter, which have these almost disconnected, documentary-esque notions about the origins of dance. Odd choice for sure, but it’s one of the touches I actually appreciated.

It almost feels like the film is playing in a weird middle ground between the first and second film. The first was a very grounded, taking an almost social realist approach to its exploration of the world of male stripping, giving it a dark edge. The second was a thoroughly joyful hangout film that utilizes its imagery to enforce profoundly sex positive ideas and the embracing/validation of the female gaze and female desire. This one takes things fairly grounded for the most part, especially with its plotting, but it remains light on its feet with its tone. All in all, the balance is solid.

It’s worth noting that Reid Carolin is still the sole writer, but the one change behind the scenes is Steven Soderbergh being back as a director, taking over Gregory Jacobs who took over for the second film. There’s really not much to complain about here. The style he brings to these movies are still incredible, with the use of lighting, playing with contrast, and the evocative staging of certain sequences. I was especially enamored by the dance that happens between Mike and Maxandra near the beginning of the film. The way he captures the physicality of the performers is truly astonishing.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance is obviously more inspired by the live Vegas shows inspired by the film (I believe some of the performers are even involved here), which is fine. It’s not a bad conceit to explore, especially for what is said to be the final chapter of this series. However, when compared to the other films, I think this does fall short. It’s wild to me that you would have this end to the trilogy, and the other members of Mike’s crew only show up for a single scene in a zoom call. Their presence is a big part of what makes these movies so fun, that group dynamic. When it’s just Mike, it feels not bad, but different. Which is why I can’t really call this a bad movie by any stretch of the imagination, it’s too well made, the cast is too charming, the dancing sequences are still a blast, there’s nothing I can point to, and say “that doesn’t work.” But it simply wasn’t what I was hoping for, and I think what a lot of people were hoping for. Though, I guess there is something to appreciate in how each film in this trilogy has been so wildly different from the last, I think that’s a big part of what makes them so special. So, as much as I can go on about what I wish the film did, I can’t deny that I had a big grin on my face for pretty much the entire runtime.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance is now in theaters.