In “Magic Mike’s Last Dance,” “Magic” Mike Lane (Tatum) takes to the stage again after a lengthy hiatus, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida. For what he hopes will be one last hurrah, Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite (Hayek Pinault) who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse…and an agenda all her own. With everything on the line, once Mike discovers what she truly has in mind, will he—and the roster of hot new dancers he’ll have to whip into shape—be able to pull it off?
For thoughts on Magic Mike’s Last Dance, please check out our discussions on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Magic Mike’s Last Dance comes to Blu-Ray with a lovely 1080p transfer which brings this film to vivid life. The color palette is more subdued than the previous sun-drenched entry, but it is more in line with what Soderbergh was going for in the first film, only less desaturated. There are significant pops of color in elements of the environment, clothing and production design. There are also some distinct lighting choices that make quite an impression. Black levels hold up favorably with no major instances of black crush present.
Digital noise and banding present as momentary hiccups with this release, but not so much as to distract. The level of distinct clarity and detail present on this Blu-Ray makes for a lovely viewing experience, although we wish a 4K UHD Blu-Ray version was an option. Subtle details on faces are amazingly clear and fine texture such as facial hair holds up surprisingly well both in close-ups and long shots. Warner Bros. has done a really solid job with this release.
Audio Quality
This disc comes equipped with an incredibly effective DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio presentation that allows the viewer to feel immersed in this world. The formidable soundtrack brings a raucous atmosphere to this film. The low end is engaged well with certain beats and outlandish sequences standing apart, especially during the music-driven finale. There are elements in this track that are truly enveloping such as when water elements are introduced. Sounds are accurately rendered with precise directionality from the more raucous scenes to the quieter expository scenes filled with subtle vocal inflections.
Dialogue is presented clearly without ever being overshadowed by any of the competing sonic elements. The sound design of this film is not comparable to a major blockbuster, but the implementation of environmental sounds are executed very effectively. The mix brings this film to life with an excellent engagement of all the channels. Warner Bros. has done a reliably great job with this one. There are optional English SDh, French and Spanish subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Magic Mike’s New Moves: A nearly seven-minute featurette in which the cast and creative team discuss the desire to come back to this world, bringing in some of the performers from the live show, executing some of the numbers in the show and more.
- Deleted Scene: An eight-minute extended sequence from the movie that was cut short in the final film. The extended cut actually allows the scene to breathe and make more sense within the narrative, and it probably should have been in the final cut.
Final Thoughts
Magic Mike’s Last Dance rounds out the unexpected trilogy of films with the weakest entry of the franchise. We love anytime Steven Soderbergh gets behind the camera, but his intentions often seem slightly at odds with what the audience at large likely wants from the series. One of the main appeals of the series has been the kinship between Mike and his friends, and their almost complete absence in this story is gravely felt, especially since all the new dancers are not given personalities. The movie attempts to make up with this by injecting a romance into the narrative, but the chemistry never allows for anything more than surface deep. The movie offers sporadic fun, especially in the infectious finale, but it feels like a hollow note on which to end this series. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray featuring a terrific A/V presentation and a couple of good special features. This is good for a mindless watch, but it does not give you everything you want.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 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.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.