'Magic Mike's Last Dance' - Swoonful of Sugar and Sexy Dance

Wholesome is a word I cannot imagine describing anything about Magic Mike but Steven Soderbergh's last instalment for his trilogy is somehow one of the most wholesome movies I've ever seen EVEN when it includes probably the sexiest routine he's ever showcased in it. Either I underestimate the word or Soderbergh just knows those two things can co-exist or it's just part of the film's magic or all of the above. He's Magic Mike after all.

Photo Credit: "Warner Bros. Pictures"

Mike Lane aka Magic Mike (Channing Tatum), now a bartender in Florida, returns to the dance stage unexpectedly after a hiatus, when a wealthy socialite Max (Salma Hayek Pinault) lures him a career offer he couldn't refuse--direct a stuffy 19th Century set play into a modern expression of feminism in an elegant and opulent London theater Max acquired through her ongoing marital settlement. Which instantly reminded me of School of Rock except it's about dancing, and strip dancing to boot--classical to rock, stiff and grand theater to a strip club.

Off the bat, that is already a great premise. Then add in the pandemic effects to the mindset of these two lead characters, it becomes even more relatable. Mike's furniture business had to close, and Max' marriage and creativity changed. These circumstances brought them somehow to each other when Max met Mike in a Florida event, and with a sensual dance from Mike, both of their lives changed forever.

The chemistry between Tatum and Hayek Pinault is palpable and their characters couldn't be more different but they're fun to watch. Salma's Max knows what she wants and is not afraid to get it whether through money, her assistant, or through Max. Mike, on the other hand, is broke and all he knows best is dance. He sees this opportunity to get to the stage one last chance and through Max, he was able to get what he needed even when he has doubts.

Last Dance's tone is also way different compared to the first two Magic Mikes. This time a voiceover narration from Max' young but seemingly mature daughter can be heard as the film progresses. It sometimes takes you out from the movie for how different its tone and content to the visuals. Of course, there's the British accent effect when we're used to Magic Mike being super American. Other than that, the narration also tackles the themes of the movie that Soderbergh doesn't always cater through the plot. Through the narration, it confirms the budding love affair between Mike and Max, the apparent changes in her mother's mood, and that the film is also about how dance puts people together--sexy or whatever dance it may be. 

Somehow, Magic Mike's Last Dance feels like a fairy tale with all the narration, the happily ever after, the princess and the savior, etc. It's a swoonful of sugar and sexy dance making it the most accessible instalment of the trilogy. There's still a lot of sexy dancing in this. What viewers would probably miss is the lack of testosterone the first two delivered immensely. In my case, I really liked this. It's my favorite of the three. A feel good movie that we all need every once in a while.