Magic Mike XXL is a surprisingly unusual film, a story-less story in a not-quite-a-film. The running jokes about these film are real, for once: everyone knows that the Magic Mike films are purely about sexual appeal. However, Magic Mike XXL embraces this fact and celebrates it, changing it from exploitation to genuine celebration.

Stylistically, Steven Soderbergh still remains, as he takes the reigns of cinematography and editing, making it feel like a "real" sequel. Amber Heard comes to this sequel as the wholly unnecessary so-called "love interest" for Magic Mike. Donald Glover also checks in, the film taking advantage of his voice and charisma to add a more sensitive spin to the bumpin' and grindin' routines.

The only plot of the film is that Magic Mike reunites with the ol' gang to head to Myrtle Beach for the 2015 Stripper Convention. That's it, and it's fine. Along the way, things happen to them, they meet new people and they do things. The element of the film which struck me most was the way the film glorified physical beauty in an honest and almost revelatory way - "We're like healers or something." says Andre, played by Donald Glover. (A great scene that demonstrates this, that could have been excellent, is during the stay with Andie MacDowell's character.)

The (pardon the pun) climax of the film is one orgiastic series of dance routines, showing that each character has embraced what they like/are good at. It's simple and over-the-top at the same time, and brings the film to a satisfying close with an Ocean's 11 - ish ending.

It's not all seriousness though - the beginning of the film reunites Mike with the gang through a funny and pointed gag at Matthew McConaughey's evasion of being in the sequel. Another wonderful moment is the gas station scene, where everyone is rolling on molly, and Dick gains his self-confidence as a dancer by bursting in on a sullen-looking cashier girl and entertaining her until she smiles. This scene exemplifies the surprising tone of the film: sexually charged, yet with heart.