Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Magic Mike

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for pervasive sexual content, brief graphic nudity, language and some drug use.

Reviewed by: Brian C. Johnson
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Comedy Drama
Length: 1 hr. 50 min.
Year of Release: 2012
USA Release: June 29, 2012 (wide—2,900+ theaters)
DVD: October 23, 2012
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Relevant Issues
Copyright, Warner Bros. Pictures

lust and lasciviousness in the Bible

casual, illicit sex / fornication, adultery, sin

Copyright, Warner Bros. Pictures

NUDITY—Why are humans supposed to wear clothes? Answer

PURITY—Should I save sex for marriage? Answer

How can I deal with temptations? Answer

What are the consequences of sexual immorality? Answer

Copyright, Warner Bros. Pictures

How do I know what is right from wrong? Answer

How can I decide whether a particular activity is wrong? Answer

Are we living in a moral Stone Age? Answer

Sex, Love and Relationships
Learn how to make your love the best it can be. Christian answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more. Valuable resources for Christian couples, singles and pastors.
Featuring Matthew McConaugheyDallas
Channing TatumMagic Mike
Olivia MunnJoanna
Alex Pettyfer … Adam
See all »
Director Steven Soderbergh — “Ocean's Eleven” 1-3, “Traffic”
Producer Nick Wechsler Productions
Reid Carolin … producer
See all »
Distributor
Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures. Trademark logo.
Warner Bros. Pictures
, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company

Sequel: “Magic Mike XXL” (2015)

As a film reviewer for Christian Spotlight on Entertainment, my task is to rate movies based upon their biblical worldview and to help my brothers and sisters decided whether they should watch a particular film. It is a task that I do not take lightly, as people are counting on me to assist them in their spiritual disciplines and to help them “set a guard” (Psalm 141:3-4) against the wickedness of the world. That being said, with regard to whether people should see “Magic Mike,” I am going to take a page from Nancy Reagan’s 1980s playbook—JUST SAY NO!

In case you’ve missed the onslaught of trailers and have no mental idea of the content of this movie, “Magic Mike” tells the tale of Mike (Channing Tatum), as he learns the male stripper trade from Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). That is pretty much the plot—male exotic dancers who shake and gyrate for their female audiences. So, that right there tells you that there is “nothing to see here” from a biblical worldview.

Some might try to argue that the writers attempt to decry the dangers of this lifestyle—Mike has his eyes on bigger and better things—he doesn’t want to necessarily be a stripper. For him, it is a means to an end. He wants to break free, but the pull of instant money keeps bringing him back to the stage. There is also the dark side of drugs and alcohol addiction and failed relationships. Regrettably, these messages get lost amidst all the bumping and grinding.

The film is loosely based on Channing Tatum’s own experiences as an exotic dancer before he became a superstar. This is a tale, however, that we could have done without.

NO!

Violence: Moderate— 2 fights / Profanity: Extreme—OMG (3), “G-damn,” “Jesus,” “Jesus Christ,” “Oh G_d,” “Oh Lord,” “Swear to God,” f-words (around 160), various vulgar slang terms for male and female genitals, etc. / Sex/Nudity: Extreme—males in thongs, Speedos, full rear nudity, bare female breasts, and more—with much vulgar sexual talk and actions (It gets worse, but it would be inappropriate to mention or describe more here.)

“VOTING” FOR BAD MOVIES—Every time you buy a movie ticket or rent a video you are casting a vote telling Hollywood “That’s what I want.” Why does Hollywood continue to promote immoral programming? Are YOU part of the problem? Answer

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Negative
Negative—I would not recommend this movie from a Christian or simply a movie-lover’s viewpoint! The only possible redeeming quality of the story was that a couple of characters expressed genuine concern for someone else, at least at one moment. There was lots of dancing that graphically mimicked sexual acts, nudity of both sexes (silhouette only of male genitalia), rampant casual sex (hetero and homosexual), drinking, drug use, and excessive profanity!

Otherwise, the acting was horrible—the new dancer’s sister was especially terrible!—there didn’t seem to be a script or any apparent story-line until the movie was almost over, no character development, there were way too many side stories that kept showing up with no basis or background, and very lame attempts at humor. I found the many discrepancies/errors or continuity issues very distracting—Examples: the sister is a nurse’s aide and describes her job as “completing nurses” paperwork,” the boss peels off several bills to pay a dancer $50, then you see the dancer’s pile of money with a prominent $50 bill—there were so many my wrists hurt from my frequent “what was that??” gestures!

There were some interesting camera angles and filming techniques, but certainly nothing worth suffering through this boring, painful film.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Elizabeth, age 47 (USA)
Negative—I use Christian Spotlight quite frequently to help me choose which movies to take my two daughters to, but I have never really felt compelled to share my thoughts on a movie, until now. I absolutely LOVE movies, but I was not particularly interested in this one and probably would have skipped it, except that every woman in my hometown was buzzing about it on Facebook. I decided to go by myself and see what all the hype was about.

The opening scene began with excessive profanity, and, the morning after, 3 people had had sex with each other. As a Christian, I should have left immediately, but I didn’t and wished later that I had. I was constantly bombarded with the f-word (every other word, it felt like!). The entire movie was full of men grinding their privates into women’s faces and vice versa.

Now, granted, I knew I was going to watch a movie about strippers, but naively thought it was going to be light-hearted fun, based on the commercials (I see a bunch of lawbreakers in here, etc.). There was a scene where a married man (who was obviously under the influence of drugs) encouraged his stripper friend to touch his wife’s bare breasts. I had high hopes that the female lead had morals, up until the very last scene, when she asked Channing Tatum to go eat breakfast with her. He agreed, but then she said the place didn’t open until 6AM. She insinuated that she would have sex with him by asking what they could do for 7 hours until it opened.

There was no real plot to this movie. It could have been so much better, if they had pursued the story of Channing Tatum wanting to get out of stripping and actually showed him doing so. When the movie ended, I was frozen in my seat. … I felt physically and mentally filthy after watching it. While I sat there, I witnessed 2 very young girls (probably 5 and 7) smiling, while leaving the theater with their mothers. I wanted to cry. As I was leaving, three young boys (probably around 11 years old) held the door open for me. I couldn’t even look them in the face, because I was so consumed with the knowledge that they had just watched this filth. I spoke to the manager and asked him how children that young could be allowed into a movie about stripping, when they would not be allowed to enter an actual strip club. He calmly stated that the movie was rated “R,” and it was acceptable for them to see it, if they were with an adult. I left shaking my head.

There was nothing Biblical in this movie. It was full of profanity, nudity, sex with numerous people, etc. God says sex is sacred between a man and a woman who are married. There was so much casual sex in this movie and sharing of partners, it was not in any way Biblical. I can’t imagine what was going through the minds of those young girls and boys watching this movie. I pray that the girls do not think that is the way women want and should be treated, and I pray the boys do not think that is the way they should treat women.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Leslie, age 40 (USA)
Negative—This movie was downright embarrassing. I was embarrassed at watching it, and there was nothing about it that had redeeming qualities. There was nudity in the very beginning, both male and female. As a young woman, I always thought Channing Tatum was a great dancer and a talented actor, but that image has forever been shattered after enduring this movie with my friend, who was equally embarrassed to be watching it. We eventually found it more entertaining to watch the facial expressions of the only other male in the theater next to us, who seemed just as embarrassed and appalled at this as we did. It was a movie that made me want to wash my eyes out with soap when I got home.

From a Christian standpoint, the profanity alone was beyond my endurance. There was nothing moral about it. Biggest waste of money I have ever spent, and still feel wrong for watching it.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Jill, age 27 (USA)
Negative—The movie is as terrible as one could possibly imagine. Yes, I suppose there are worse—with even more nudity, vulgarity, lewdness, etc., but this movie left me with a different feeling. At the end, which honestly couldn’t come quickly enough, I thought it was such a commentary on the world today. What a sad condition. I was just sad. Way bad choice on my part to see it, so warnings provided here are best well heeded. FACTUAL CORRECTION: “Mike,” as of the time this movie is portraying him, has been in the business for six years and was “recruited” by “Dallas.” However, it is “Adam” who is “learning” the male stripper trade from “Mike.”
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2½
J.S., age 25 (USA)

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