Magic Mike

Magic Mike wants to be taken seriously. The film is about male strippers. See the problem? I understand that star/co-producer Channing Tatum used to work the poles in real life, a fact that director Steven Soderbergh capitalizes on to give this film slightly more sincerity. But this story’s all over the place, leaving the viewer little chance to be truly compelled by the moments of real dancer drama. First we meet Mike (Tatum), who works the clubs by night and tiles roofs by day. Mike introduces his young slacker friend, Adam (Alex Pettyfer), to the stripping world to give him some … direction? But Adam takes advantage of the fast-paced lifestyle, leaving older sister Brooke (Cody Horn) worried. Oh yeah, Brooke and Mike develop feelings for each other. But between the strip-club scenes, Adam’s spiral into the drug world, and Mike’s struggle to “find himself,” there’s little room for a love story. However, if you want to see a lot of naked, toned butts and fun dance scenes, this is your movie. Maybe I should have led with that? Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R.