Magic Mikey is a popular YouTuber known for his entertaining and mind-bending magic tricks. With over a million subscribers, his channel has become a sensation among magic and illusion enthusiasts. Mikey's videos showcase a wide variety of magic tricks, ranging from card tricks to mindreading illusions. What sets Magic Mikey apart from other magic YouTubers is his unique and engaging style. He not only performs the tricks flawlessly but also explains the secrets behind them, allowing his audience to learn and appreciate the art of magic. His explanations are clear and concise, making it easy for viewers to follow along and try the tricks themselves.
Magic Mike's Last Dance
“Magic” Mike Lane can’t stop bumping and grinding. He’s the male stripper version of a bank robber or cowboy who swears he’s retired but gets lured back into action for one last job. “Magic Mike’s Last Dance,” the third film starring Channing Tatum as a big-hearted, iron-thewed Florida stripper, knows that we know that Mike doesn’t feel truly fulfilled unless he’s dancing.
To its credit, Steven Soderbergh’s new movie gets the “I’m done, don’t ask me to dance” ritual out of the way in less than ten minutes. A brief prologue establishes that Mike lost his furniture business during the pandemic and works as a bartender at catered events in Miami. That’s where he meets Max (Salma Hayek Pinault), the estranged and wants-to-be-divorced wife of a London one-percenter. Max offers Mike an exorbitant sum for one last dance. After a brief pantomime of refusal, he agrees, and it’s such a mind-blowing experience for Max (the sex afterward is great, too) that she invites him to come with her to London and create and choreograph a stage production that will bring the Magic Mike experience to the West End. You know, the kind of thing that happens all the time.
AdvertisementThe rest of the movie is a backstage drama about Mike and Max learning how to be a couple as they collaborate on the show and try to stop it from getting shut down by Max’s husband for violating historic district architectural codes, etc. It’s all just a series of perfunctory roadblocks placed between Max and Mike’s inevitable and well-deserved happy endings as lovers and artistic collaborators.
"Magic Mike's Last Dance" is a patchwork that takes itself absolutely seriously as entertainment, but wears other ambitions lightly. There are dance numbers, romantic melodrama contrivances, and odd but intriguing 19th-century affectations (Max’s teenage daughter Zadie, played by Jemilia George, narrates Mike’s progress through London’s upper echelons as if reading from a 19th-century Edith Wharton-esque novel). Many scenes place the working-class-hero in situations where he’s out of his depth. Asked about his plans for Act Three, Mike says, “Uh, we’re doin’ it!”
As is often the case with Soderbergh, who’s been at the top of the directorial heap for over 20 years but retains a hustling gig-worker's point-of-view,“Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is more attentive to details of class difference than many Hollywood movies set in this environment would probably be. Sometimes the film will cut to Max’s butler Victor, played by Ayub Khan Din, when Max and Mike are discussing art, love, and happiness, as if to remind us that very few people get the time to talk about such matters without tedious everyday tasks fragmenting their attention.
Notice, too, how sensitively Tatum conveys Mike’s reactions to his sudden immersion into a new reality where he doesn’t have to struggle to survive. He seems excited but also wary as if expecting it all to evaporate like his furniture business. Tatum had a modest childhood in the American south and made it in Hollywood without rich or famous parents or preexisting industry connections. He has retained a smidge of “I can’t believe this is happening to me” energy, and he taps into it whenever he plays Mike, perhaps more so in this one. We understand why Mike would be discombobulated by the opportunities dropped in his lap. But we also understand that he’s the kind of guy who can adjust quickly because he’s spent most of his life catering to these sorts of people, and knows how to give them the fantasies they crave without surrendering too much of his soul.
AdvertisementThis film is a pretext for Tatum, Soderbergh, and screenwriter Reid Carolin (who wrote the previous two "Magic Mike" movies) to play around with a great character one more time without repeating themselves. After having previously given us, basically, “Saturday Night Fever With a Stripper, Combined with a Mentor-Whose-Pupil-Goes-Bad Film” (aka “Magic Mike”) and “Female Empowerment Fantasy and Male Bonding Comedy Disguised as a Comedic Road Movie with References To Apocalypse Now and The Odyssey” (aka “Magic Mike XXL”) they’ve made something else entirely: a film about desire, monogamous love, creativity, and freedom, but lightly so, never in a way that makes you roll your eyes. (Well, maybe a couple of times—mainly when characters repeat slogans about economic inequality simplistic enough to fit on a bumper sticker.)
At the same time, this is one of Soderbergh’s playfully referential entertainments. It’s not as deliberately abrasive and absurd as Soderbergh’s quasi-experimental comedy “Schizopolis” or as voluptuously show-offy as “Oceans 12” (the one in the franchise where Julia Roberts plays both her regular character and "Julia Roberts"). But it’s a movie about moviemaking, the artistic process, and all the various types of cinema and fiction it’s drawing on, as much as it’s about Mike and Max and the dance production. And it’s about the idea, exemplified by so many of Soderbergh’s projects, that a stylish diversion can still have substance. (“This show is not about getting dick,” Max tells their artistic team, then pauses for a nanosecond and adds, “Only.”)
None of it would work if Tatum weren’t every inch the movie star, and probably the last American-born A-list movie actor who can really, truly dance and gets occasional opportunities to prove it. He dances with his leading lady a couple of times here, but most of their tangos are emotional and intellectual, and the movie respects her ferocious energy and focus enough to let her take the spotlight often.
Nobody’s going to write thesis papers about the intricate architecture of this movie’s storytelling. It just goes where it needs to go or feels like going, much like the other two films, though in a different way. It all leads to the big show (another kind of movie-format cliche), and when the curtain finally goes up—revealing a cabaret-ish production that’s essentially the same one Tatum co-created that’s currently a smash in London, complete with audience participation—the movie cleverly finds ways to connect what’s happening onstage to what’s happening within Mike and Max.
AdvertisementMost of all, "Magic Mike's Last Dance" is about fit, graceful bodies moving through space. Whether the performers are dance-miming sex that would get the film an NC-17 rating if the actors weren’t clothed or performing a sort-of Bob Fosse-meets-”Singin’ in the Rain” routine onstage, or just walking and talking around London while coping with anxieties that will smother happiness if not held in check, Soderbergh and Tatum channel a primordial sense of why people love watching movies. Soderbergh often kids the Marvel films for being sexless, but you can tell by the way he shoots Mike and the other dancers that he knows this series is an R-rated wish-fulfillment fantasy for adults with libidos. Mike appears onstage in a flash of light, offering an instant escape to a universe of aesthetic and sexual bliss, but he never crosses boundaries without getting permission first. When it’s all over, he escorts the patron back to her seat and says thank you.
Now playing in theaters.
Matt Zoller Seitz
Matt Zoller Seitz is the Editor at Large of RogerEbert.com, TV critic for New York Magazine and Vulture.com, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism.
Magic Mike Fans Can't Help But Notice The Step Up Vibes In The Trailer For Magic Mike's Last Dance
Get your dollar bills ready, because we're getting a third and final "Magic Mike" movie: "Magic Mike's Last Dance." First reported by Deadline back in 2021, star Channing Tatum and director Steven Soderbergh are returning to round out the sexy trilogy.
Warner Bros. dropped the trailer for "Magic Mike's Last Dance" yesterday, giving fans a look at what to expect in the upcoming threequel. Following the events of "Magic Mike XXL," Mike (Tatum) has moved to Miami to continue his career as a stripper and is working as a bartender to make ends meet. He meets Salma Hayek's character, who convinces him to travel to London with her, planning a large-scale show that showcases Mike's true talents. From the trailer, fans get a good look at the event that Mike puts together, and it looks like a large, choreographed show filled with dancing and stripping.
Previous movies in the "Magic Mike" trilogy put the stripping front and center, as expected. "Magic Mike's Last Dance" looks to be taking a slightly different approach, featuring a lot of dancing. As a result, many fans are drawing comparisons to another film starring Channing Tatum, "Step Up."
His explanations are clear and concise, making it easy for viewers to follow along and try the tricks themselves. In addition to his magic tutorials, Magic Mikey also vlogs about his experiences as a professional magician. He shares behind-the-scenes footage from his performances, giving viewers a glimpse into the life of a magician.
Channing Tatum brings the Step Up dancing to Magic Mike
As mentioned above, the trailer for "Magic Mike's Last Dance" heavily features dancing, as opposed to the trilogy's usual strip dancing. Of course, that could be because Warner Bros. made the trailer for audiences of all ages to watch. The studio could be saving the hot action for when the movie hits theaters on Valentine's Day, but that didn't stop fans from making drawing comparisons to "Step Up."
The YouTube comments underneath the trailer pointed out how much "Magic Mike's Last Dance" looks like "Step Up," another film franchise made famous by Channing Tatum. One user, Mr. Midnight, said "Feels like 'Step Up/Magic Mike.' Good to see Channing showing us how talented he is on his feet." AC Wolf suggested, "[Last Dance] feels more like 'Step Up' than 'Magic Mike' . anyone else?" Telepek Telepkowy had a slightly more aggressive take, saying, "So, 'Step Up.' You're turning this into another 'Step Up' installment. Not the direction I thought this would go, but okay, I guess."
During an interview with People, Tatum revealed his goals for the upcoming movie. The actor, who recently returned to the industry, told the magazine, "I want [Magic Mike's Last Dance] to be the Super Bowl of stripping." Tatum revealed that he wanted the movie to focus more on the dancing, something he couldn't include in the previous installments. Judging by the trailer, he definitely got his wish.
"Magic Mike's Last Dance" hits theaters on February 10, 2023.
NYC's Leading Magician & Mentalist | Magic Mike Jacobson
| "COME. ON. My head hurts." -Anne Hathaway, Actress | "What? What! Whattttt? That was insanity." -Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors | "Come back here. I want you to perform for my mom." -J.J. Abrams, Director | "I've seen a lot of crazy things. That was crazier." -General David Petraeus, Former Head of the CIA | "I’m not sure what else to say besides that you are simply incredible." -Don Cheadle, Actor | "You're like a magician, but cooler." -Kelly Slater, pro-surfer
| "COME. ON. My head hurts." -Anne Hathaway, Actress | "What? What! Whattttt? That was insanity." -Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors | "Come back here. I want you to perform for my mom." -J.J. Abrams, Director | "I've seen a lot of crazy things. That was crazier." -General David Petraeus, Former Head of the CIA | "I’m not sure what else to say besides that you are simply incredible." -Don Cheadle, Actor | "You're like a magician, but cooler." -Kelly Slater, pro-surfer
His passion for magic is evident in every video, and it's contagious. Magic Mikey's channel is not only entertaining but also serves as a valuable resource for aspiring magicians. His tutorials and advice inspire viewers to explore the world of magic and develop their own skills. He encourages his audience to think creatively and push the boundaries of what is possible. Apart from his YouTube channel, Magic Mikey has also performed at various live events and has collaborated with other prominent magicians. He continues to captivate audiences with his incredible skills and charismatic personality. In conclusion, Magic Mikey is a talented and charismatic YouTuber who has gained a significant following with his captivating magic tricks and tutorials. His passion for magic shines through in his videos, inspiring viewers to pursue their own magical journeys. Whether you are a fan of magic or simply looking for some captivating entertainment, Magic Mikey's YouTube channel is definitely worth checking out..
Reviews for "How Magic Mikey Keeps Viewers Hooked with his YouTube Channel"
1. Jane Doe - 1 star
I found Magic Mikey's YouTube channel to be extremely disappointing. The content was unoriginal and lacked creativity. Mikey's magic tricks were predictable and poorly executed, leaving me feeling underwhelmed. Additionally, his presentation skills and charisma were lacking, making the videos even more boring to watch. Overall, I would not recommend subscribing to Magic Mikey's channel if you're looking for captivating and impressive magic tricks.
2. Tom Smith - 2 stars
I watched a few videos from Magic Mikey's YouTube channel, and I have to say, I wasn't impressed. While the concept of a magic-focused channel is intriguing, Mikey's tricks fell flat. They were basic, and I had seen similar tricks done before by other magicians. The lack of originality made the content repetitive and uninteresting. Furthermore, Mikey's explanations of the tricks were unclear, making it difficult to understand the mechanics behind them. Overall, I was expecting more from Magic Mikey's channel, and I don't believe it lives up to the hype.
3. Sarah Jackson - 3 stars
Magic Mikey's YouTube channel didn't quite meet my expectations. Although there were a few tricks that caught my attention, the majority of the content felt average. The production quality of the videos could be improved, as they appeared amateurish compared to other magic channels on YouTube. Additionally, some of the explanations were rushed and lacked details, making it hard to follow along. While there were a few enjoyable moments, overall, I wasn't captivated enough to continue watching Magic Mikey's videos regularly.
4. Michael Thompson - 2 stars
I have to be honest, I wasn't a fan of Magic Mikey's YouTube channel. The tricks performed were not impressive, and it felt like they were targeted towards a younger audience. The lack of complexity in the tricks made me lose interest quickly. Furthermore, the overall presentation of the videos was lacking. The background music was distracting and the editing seemed rushed. I believe there are much better magic channels out there that offer more engaging and skillful performances, so I would recommend exploring other options instead of subscribing to Magic Mikey's channel.