Short Cut Review: Magic Mike

A Short Cut Movie Review is normally less than 400 words, but in some cases may go slightly over. This is my attempt to keep writing about as many films as I see without getting bogged down with trying to find more to say. They are meant to be brief snapshots of my reaction to a movie without too much depth.

Steven Soderbergh's slick direction elevates what would otherwise be a formulaic ride through familiar territory. I'm still not convinced, despite Soderbergh's continued insistence on casting Channing Tatum, that he's much of an actor. Matthew McConaughey, on the other hand, is just marvelous in the role of a brash male strip club owner, a guy working the small time who dreams big. It's all beautifully photographed, the screen is often full of hard male bodies (there's a little bit of female flesh tossed in some early scenes), and it generally feels fresh and alive.