“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” follows The Four Horsemen and a new generation of illusionists who try to bring down a worldwide criminal network.
A New Act Begins
The first 30 minutes of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” do a phenomenal job of setting the stage. While The Four Horsemen themselves are included very minimally, the film lays the groundwork for a new set of characters that audiences will quickly fall in love with. After creating a new magic trick that needs to be executed, it flawlessly (albeit quickly) returns the four magicians that we all know and love.
Despite not seeing most of the original cast members over the first act, the film succeeds because of its character development. This is a testament to the world-building of the “Now You See Me” franchise. Even with new characters, it still feels like it’s picking up right where it left off… even almost 10 years later.
The “young blood” in “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” includes Ariana Greenblatt (June), Justice Smith (Charlie) and Dominic Sessa (Bosco).
Just as the original stars were, this new trio of cast members is an outstanding addition to the series. Greenblatt brings charisma and wit, with a lively screen presence from start to finish. Smith is more subtle in his delivery but manages to impress by turning what could be monotonous lines of dialogue into comedic and meaningful moments. Sessa brings heart, delivering an emotional performance that echoes his character’s outcast nature.
Old Magic Meets New Energy
The original Four Horsemen – Jesse Eisenberg (Atlas), Isla Fisher (Henley), Dave Franco (Jack) and Woody Harrelson (Merritt) – still have their charm as well. Eisenberg has the most screen time of the bunch, but everyone gets their moment to shine.
Don’t forget about Morgan Freeman (Thaddeus) either. Much like the previous movies, Freeman’s appearance is limited, yet he remains iconic in the role.
With seven (sometimes eight) characters in the mix, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” had the potential to have too many cooks in the kitchen. It doesn’t feel this way at all, however. All of the characters have different personalities that clash, resulting in nonstop banter, competition and of course… magic.
Stop corruption. Almost 10 years since the last film, the messaging of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” rings more clear than ever. In a world of corruption, it’s refreshing to see The Four Horsemen still fighting for what’s right. Is it cheesy? Sure. But these ideas still add meaning to a story that desperately needs it.
Sleight of Hand With the Story
Much like its predecessors, however, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” lacks depth. Even as the characters attempt to stave off death, the emotions feel thin. Despite the well-rounded ensemble, this makes the individuals hard to fully invest in.
The overall plot of the movie also feels half-baked… to some degree. The central villain is as cliché as they come, and The Four Horsemen are tasked with taking them down – because why not? While the grand scheme is eventually revealed, the majority of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” feels like it is checking boxes.
This seems to be the central theme of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.” Why not? This franchise didn’t need to be revived, but this installment also doesn’t feel unnecessary. It’s here, and fans will be sure to appreciate it.
Magic is back – this time with an even larger ensemble cast alongside more twists and turns. Despite its flaws, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” proves to be the best entry in the series.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
