‘Magic Mike’ 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review – A Hard-Hitting Look At America’s Financial Collapse

Let’s hear it for the boys! Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum (Step Up) and Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) star in this revealing drama set in the world of exotic male dancing. Tatum plays Magic Mike, a womanizing hustler with an entrepreneurial spirit who makes his living on the stage. When he takes on a protege (Pettyfer) to instruct him in the fine art of hustling onstage and off, he finds himself falling for the newcomer’s sister (Cody Horn) — and questioning his life choices. Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies & Videotape, Ocean’s Eleven films) directs an all-star cast that also includes White Collar’s Matt Bomer, True Blood’s Joe Manganiello, Olivia Munn and Matthew McConaughey as a former dancer and now owner of the club.

For in-depth thoughts on Magic Mike, please listen to our discussion on Homedance Film Festival here. 

Video Quality

Magic Mike has been given a 4K UHD Blu-Ray upgrade courtesy of Warner Bros. that looks very nice. As has become the standard with 4K UHD Blu-Ray releases from the company, no accompanying Blu-Ray is included. Luckily, we have the Blu-Ray from 2012 and can confirm this is a welcome upgrade. This film implements strong creative choices, and the new transfer represents these choices to the best you could hope to see. The transfer unveils a more impressive depth of field in the club and some of the natural environments like the sandbar we visit on the 4th of July. You can more clearly make out textures within the varied costumes and production design elements such as Mike’s furniture. 

Director Steven Soderbergh utilizes his signature color filters to offer up a film that may not necessarily be replete with color, but these specific choices when it comes to grading and lighting appear with greater finesse than ever before thanks to the HDR10 expansion of the color spectrum. The scenes on stage are left largely untouched in this respect, allowing the performances to shine in all of their natural, vibrant glory. Skin tones appear natural with healthy doses of crisp detail apparent on faces such as perspiration.  There are some murky, shadowy scenes, but this transfer provides strong detail in all environments thanks to formidable black levels. These moments are finely delineated, revealing depth to the image while maintaining the creative aesthetic. There does not appear to be any noise reduction or black crush. Highlights are likewise firm and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. Warner Bros. has given this one a nice boost, and we only hope they do the same for the sequel. 

Audio Quality

This release provides what appears to be the same DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track as the Blu-Ray. While some may be disappointed by the lack of a Dolby Atmos upgrade, this track does everything it needs to do really well. One of the most potent elements of this feature is the soundtrack which includes everything from background music to the tunes the fellas are dancing to on stage. Every song pulses through the room with force, especially the deep bass of “Pony” which is something of a signature for Mike. 

The speakers come alive to create an all-enveloping soundscape. The low end of the track is not engaged as much as an action film, but it provides more than enough texture to prove its point. Directionality is never an issue and dialogue is not drowned out by the cavalcade of sounds such as the yelling of the patrons or the hum of the car engine. Every element is harmonious as it maintains first-rate fidelity. This audio track puts in impressive work to bring everything to life. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided. 

Special Features

• Backstage on Magic Mike: A seven-minute featurette is provided in which the cast and creative team discuss the dance numbers, the work put into the choreography, the bonding that occurred on screen, the costumes, and more. 

Final Thoughts

Magic Mike is one of the few films that we feel was not enhanced by the direction of Steven Soderbergh. He is one of our favorite modern filmmakers, but his involvement brings with it a level of seriousness simply not desired for this project. Not all of the blame can be put on him since the script from Reid Carolin is trying to fold issues of the financial collapse of our country into this stripper narrative. Sure, the film can be taken more seriously, but there is not enough uninhibited fun and playfulness being had on stage and between the guys. The movie is still good with great dance numbers and a likable ensemble, but it does not exactly deliver what it is selling. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers fans of the series a great A/V presentation and a brief supplement. If you are a fan of the film and want to see it in the best quality possible, this is the release to get. Recommended 

Magic Mike can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.