Entertaining if not a tad too long and led by an in form Channing Tatum, Magic Mike XXL works as a surprisingly sweet and funny look at male comradery, even when it's seediness occasionally trounces its earnestness.

2012 marked the year Channing Tatum established himself as a leading man, with three varied films released featuring three varied performances. One of those was Magic Mike, a Steven Soderbergh directed riff on Tatum's real life, pre-Hollywood 8 month stint as a stripper. It was also a film that (beyond the exposed, gyrating flesh) pondered what it was that defined manhood.

The cheekily titled follow up Magic Mike XXL doesn't hit those same dramatic depths, but it is never the less an entertaining road trip movie that has fun with its unique premise and features much chemistry between its cast, led by an in form Tatum whose performance amalgamates his talents as a dancer, his comedic chops, sex symbol status and dramatic acting.

The film begins with Mike three years out of the stripping game and slaving to make his custom made furniture business a success. When the opportunity arises to re-join his old stripping troupe - Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Ken (Matt Bonner), Tito (Adam Rodriguez) and Tarzan (Kevin Nash) - for a final show at an annual stripping convention, it proves too compelling to pass up, resulting in a road trip where much male bonding along with a healthy dose of gyrating is done.

Not involved in this sequel is Matthew McConaughey, whose performance as seedy manager Dallas in the first Magic Mike was one of the best supporting turns of that year. For all the fun which Magic Mike XXL has, needed was that x-factor to give it an edge. Jada Pinkett Smith's turn as Rome, a figure from Mike's past that runs her own "adult entertainment establishment" does bring spunk and energy, yet doesn't quite fill that void.

Suitable then that Magic Mike XXL is more about entertainment then drama. Subsequent to the claims of the ignorant, the first Magic Mike is not some mere male-stripper movie, and neither is ...XXL, although it does have more of an event picture feel to it. One can definitely imagine groups of woman clearing their Saturday night for a showing at the local cinema.

Taking over directing duties is Gregory Jacobs, a long-time assistant director to Steven Soderbergh (who stayed on as cinematographer and editor). As expected Jacobs maintains that matter of fact style that Soderbergh turned into an art form. Yet he also allows room for cheeky comedy. A scene where Joe Manganiello surprises an oblivious service station clerk with a striptease is comedy gold.

It's Tatum that makes it all work. As the whole Magic Mike world is based loosely on a specific part of Tatum’s life, it makes sense that he is the heart and soul of the film. That a mere seven years ago Tatum was the most charm devoid action star in GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra says much about how far he has come not only as an actor, but an actor with personality. And when it comes to potential duds, personality goes a long way.