REVIEW: MAGIC MIKE'S LAST DANCE

3.5/5

Save The Last Dance.

112 Mins. Starring: Channing Tatum, Salma Hayek Pinault, Jemelia George, Ayub Khan Din & Vicki Pepperdine. Director: Steven Soderbergh. 

Brad Pitt. Ryan Reynolds. There was a time when Channing Tatum was coming for their Hollywood heartthrob throne. The 'Step Up', '21 Jump Street' and of course 'Magic Mike' franchise star who made his breakthrough on Samuel L. Jackson's 'Coach Carter' team was holding court as one of the biggest stars in the world. Not to mention all the cards as 'X-Men's' Gambit. Sadly, it seems that Marvel movie has come up as snake eyes, missed much like the Stateside 'Statesmen', 'Kingsman' spin-off we'd like to see out the 'Golden Circle' after he stole the show spinning a blunderbuss like Schwarzenegger on the back of a chopper. Lately, the 'White House Down' and 'Foxcatcher' standout with classic cameos in the canon of Michael Mann's 'Public Enemies' and Quentin Tarantino's 'The Hateful Eight' has been quiet as kept. Taking a five-year break, aside from 'Dog', 'The Lost City' and cameos in Pitt ('Bullet Train') and Reynolds ('Free Guy') movies. 

Yet, the all-singing and dancing actor who knows how to steal the show from the likes of Clooney and the Cohen's, tap dancing with 'No Dames' in 'Hail Caesar', always has a trick or two up his sleeve when he happens to be wearing clothes. He may not have his 'Gambit' right now, but he has the rights to a 'Ghost' remake as he recently told Hollywood's Vanity Fair over a pottery wheel for a cover feature. And it's not like the 'Logan Lucky' star who has even played Superman is 'LEGO' form hasn't been busy over the past five years. Recovering from divorce, he has found love again with an amazing actress, global star and daughter of a rock God and 80s icon, Zoë Kravitz (his next project is her 'Pussy Island') and he's also taken his 'Magic Mike' striptease from the screens to the stages of London's West End. Now that's some major moves for the man who dances like Usher and Ne-Yo. 

Now after the fun-filled, bro's trip, Gregory Jacobs' 2015 sequel that went 'XXL' with a classic convenience store Joe Manganiello scene, Channing is back all over your Tatum. Reuniting with the 'Side Effects' of first film director Steven Soderbergh for 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' like a Chicago Bulls documentary. Moving from the heat of Miami and a steamy, private affair of a dance on South Beach. To the theatrical talents of London's Big Smoke and mirrors. You can call this a West End adaptation. As 'Magic Mike' goes back from the stage to the screen for the curtain call conclusion to this terrific trilogy that shows the seedy dark side of this world and also the fun you can have when you just let yourself go. 

What starts as an 'Indecent Proposal' turns into 'The Full Monty' for the prim and proper British crowd. Peep the flash-mob like choreography on the double-decker red bus for the great Vicki Pepperdine that turns your morning commute into something NSFW. From Florida, to the keys of the U.K. city, Tatum is tremendously talented and more versatile than you think. Stepping up in what really is a tribute to hip-hop dance, more than gratuity for glee. Empowerment is on the cards though with the powerful Salma Hayek Pinault punctuating this picture with her presence as a rich socialite and the combustible chemistry she has with Channing. Making him a Marlon offer The Godfather of dance can't refuse. 

Dance with me, as theirs will be too hot for anyone in attendance to handle. The exits having to be opened up to let out all that steam. Her driver, 'Rafta, Rafta' playwright Ayub Khan Din offers dry comic relief. Whilst Hayek's on-screen daughter Jemelia George make for a novel narrator. If you missed the sold out live show because someone was covering your eyes, then this is the movie for you, bringing it all back to life. As Ginuwine's (we hope they cut him a check) 'Pony' (there's still no beat like this Timbaland bounce) rides again, we really hope this isn't the last dance. Perhaps the big-screen will head small (although that's probably not what women want). In the words of Vin Diesel for this fast and furious film, "one last ride"? TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Magic Mike', 'Magic Mike XXL', 'Step Up'.