3.5/5

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Stars: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello, Olivia Munn, Cody Horn

If watching finely chiseled male flesh being paraded, gyrated and thrusted on stage is something you’re in to, then 'Magic Mike' is going to be right up your alley.

Naturally, I went into this screening expecting quite a show – and the Channing Tatum-led troupe of the male form at its finest did not disappoint.

Based loosely on his own stint as a stripper at 18, Tatum plays Mike, a small-time entrepreneur whose big dreams of getting ahead are being driven by his after hours gig as a male stripper at ladies nightspot 'Club Xquisite'.

He comes across Adam (Alex Pettyfer), a young, easy-on-the-eye football scholarship dropout whom he takes under his wing and schools in the art of picking up women, partying, and making easy cash.

The supremely sculpted "cock-rocking kings of Tampa" include 'True Blood' hunk Joe Manganiello, professional wrestler Kevin Nash, CSI Miami star Adam Rodriguez, and tear-away leather pant-wearing club-owner Dallas (Matthew McConaughey’s performance is one of the most memorable and cringe-inducing) at the helm.

But there’s no question as to why headlining act Mike is dubbed 'magic' – with a bod you’d be forgiven for drooling over and moves that I’ll admit made the heart flutter a little, he’s undoubtedly the star of the show.

A tank-top, lycra short-wearing Dallas teaching newcomer Adam how to dance in front of a mirror is a definite highlight, as is the menagerie of thongs, costumes and props used by the manscaped fleet of eye-candy, who cover off the main 'sexy men in uniform' stereotypes from firemen to boot camp army boys throughout their routines.

Despite a more than predictable romance thrown in for good measure and a rather lack-lustre ending, the concept is original (guys being portrayed as sexual objects for a change), the acting commendable and the overall package - mind the pun - thoroughly satisfying.

Best enjoyed with a glass of wine in hand, it’s girls night entertainment at its best.