Ladies of Hong Kong, our time has come! After months of hearing about the success of Magic Mike at box offices around the globe (not to mention on Facebook statuses and Twitter posts left, right and centre), the film has finally made it to our shores.
The question is: has the wait been worth it? Short answer: yes, yes, yes!
Loosely based on Channing Tatum’s real life (he was a stripper before making it big in Hollywood), Magic Mike is a comedy-drama set in the toned, tanned world of male entertainment. Directed by Steven Soderbergh (the brains behind Ocean’s Eleven, Contagion, and The Informant), it’s a fun frisky flick that delivers on all the levels you want it to.
A cast of big names and up-and-comers set the screen alight. Although Tatum (Mike) is the undisputed star of the show, Matthew McConaughey – who plays Dallas, the aging, self-obsessed owner of Club Xquisite – is absolute magic (and a big source of laughs). Alex Pettyfer (The Kid), Matt Bomer (Ken) and Joe Manganiello (Big Dick Richie) don’t fail to impress either.
Surprisingly, Magic Mike isn’t just about slick choreographed stripping routines, screaming girls and dollar bills (although there are plenty of all of those things, don’t worry!); there are moments when a darker seedier side to the storyline pulls through. Although Soderbergh only skims the surface with the more unsettling part of the plot, it makes for a half-decent drama and gives you time to catch your breath before the next dance number rolls around.
No prizes for guessing this is a shameless celebration of some of Hollywood’s finest man candy so best to leave your boyfriends and husbands at home and enjoy an excuse to wrangle your girls together, let your hair down and have a grinding good time (yes, we just said that).
By the time the credits roll around, we’re prepared to put money on the fact you’ll be wanting an encore performance. We’re already crossing our fingers for a sequel!
Magic Mike is out in cinemas in Hong Kong now!