Best and Worst of ‘Magic Mike XXL’: Did Joe Manganiello steal the show?

Surprisingly, “Magic Mike XXL” isn't turning out to be anything close to the box office hit the original “Magic Mike” was.  There are a lot of factors at play including opening on the wrong weekend, but perhaps our best and worst microscope will shed some light.

If you haven't seen it yet the sequel still has a dancing Channing Tatum and a slew of sexy strippers for your entertainment including Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriquez and newcomer Stephen “Twitch” Boss.  What's missing is the energy of Matthew McConaughey and the youthful blank stare of Alex Pettyfer (take your pick on which meant more).  Jada Pinkett Smith, Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard and Elizabeth Banks were brought on board to balance out the testosterone (and to provide more well rounded female characters than the first flick), but they were hardly the centerpiece of the movie's marketing campaign.

Most sequels have lower expectations, but critics certainly thought something was off. The original earned a 72 on Metacritic and 80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.  “XXL” came in with an OK 60 grade and a 62% comparatively.  Audiences seem more interested as the flick initially earned an A- Cinemascore, but those polls are done opening day when the hardcore fans are at the theater. 

Keeping all this in mind, check out our best and worst of “Magic Mike XXL” in the embedded post below.  Perhaps a few of them will explain why “Magic Mike XXL” couldn't, um, get it up for moviegoers.

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