Summer Movie Review: Magic Mike is stripper eye candy with a bare plot

Based in the world of male strippers, Magic Mike is marketed as just that. Hundreds of thousands of women rushed to the box office Friday night for bachelorette parties and girls night’s outs, only caring about viewing Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey in all their glory.

This brilliant idea coming from the past of Channing Tatum could have been transformed into a powerful movie. However, the script managed to leave out one key aspect: a story.

A movie theater bartender, I discussed this film with several women hoping to get drunk and oogle at hot bodies. The answer to the question, “Are you excited about this film?” surprised me since the majority of women could barely wait and couldn’t care less whether or not this film had any substance.

One woman answered with a childlike grin, “As long as I see Matthew McConaughey dance for me, I’m good.”

Several others gave similar answers as they flocked into the bar.

Another woman replied, “It’s been a really long time since a movie has been geared toward us. I’ve been craving a good chick flick.”

It was especially entertaining to watch each irritated man standing next to his wife as she waited anxiously to see some abs.

“This movie is the reason why I need alcohol,” one man answered as he ordered a double Jack and coke.

Judging by the reactions of the majority of females in the audience; this is a film about strippers. That’s it. It’s as simple as that and nothing else really matters.

However, for those who actually care about film quality, Magic Mike is lacking. Complete with a mediocre story, poorly written dialogue, and cheesy scene transitions, this film would have been better if director Steven Soderbergh didn’t even try to add anything more than stripping scenes.

It’s sad to find a film which is completely ruined by dialogue and the little bit of story they felt necessary to throw in from time to time.

Advertised as a lighthearted story about a stripper who wishes more for his life, Magic Mike fails at just that. As simple as that may be to accomplish, this film is 99 percent strippers, and the message isn’t even introduced until the last scene.

As much as I hated every aspect of this film, I admired the work it took to build up such flawless bodies. Alex Pettyfer, who truly is the underappreciated star of this film, acted impeccably with his drop dead gorgeous body.

Staring at these guys really was enough entertainment, but whenever they felt the need to move or talk, their beautiful bodies were ruined by grotesque dance moves and the inability to convey emotion in their lines.

Although this film lacks a point, purpose and meaning, there is no point in telling anyone not to see it. When guys get naked, a crowd will gather. However, a strip club would probably be a better use of your money.

egolden@unews.com