Opened: June 29, 2012

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Cody Horn, Olivia Munn, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez, Kevin Nash, Gabriel Iglesias, Mircea Monroe, Camryn Grimes, Riley Keough, Michael Roark & Betsy Brandt

Despite being promoted as a fun male stripper movie, those looking for the excitement might want to head out after the first half of Magic Mike.

Mike (Channing Tatum) discovers Adam (Alex Pettyfer) when they work together on a roofing project. Mike brings Adam into his night life as an exotic dancer at Xquisite, and Dallas (Matthew McCounaughey) sees something in Adam. As Adam dives deeper into the stripper world, he begins to lose control.

Partially based on Tatum’s younger years as a stripper, there’s a lot of energy at the top of the film. The male dance scenes are fantastically choreographed, and the cast gives it their all. Once the script dives into drugs, the film gets gritty and rough. And while Pettyfer has the looks, his dramatic acting doesn’t pay off.

Film: The magic wears off. ★★★☆☆