The last film in the “Now You See Me” series released nearly a decade ago.
The two prior films were never really meant to present anything profound. They were eye and mind candy with a likable cast that featured Jesse Eisenberg as Atlas, Woody Harrelson as McKinney, Isla Fisher as Henley, Lizzy Caplan as Lula and David Franco as Jack as a group of illusionists who are called on to do more meaningful things by a mysterious character called the “Eye” and represented by Morgan Freeman.
They all return for “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” but things have changed for the merry band of magicians known as The Horsemen. They’re estranged, driven apart years ago by petty grievances, egos and disenchantment.
What brings them back together?
The Horsemen, known for their showy displays of illusory powers, have been hacked. They’ve allegedly gotten back together to give yet another show and right some wrongs.
The alleged job: playing Robin Hoods and ripping off some crypto-bros and distributing their coin amongst the patrons of a New York City club where they are appearing. But it’s not them.
Instead, the audience is introduced to Charlie (Justice Smith), Bosco (Dominic Sessa) and June (Ariana Greenblatt), a group of Gen Z illusionists who’ve expertly imitated The Horsemen, fooling everyone – everyone except Atlas, who pops up in their squatters loft demanding to know what’s up.
Eventually, the rest of The Horsemen are forced to assemble in Avengers-like fashion in order to clear their names. Instead, Charlie, Bosco and June recruit them to their cause.
The Gen-Z magicians are idealistic and want to do anything possible to expose Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike), the daughter of South African diamond mine magnate who is doing her best to continue the family business.
The problem: daddy dearest was never just into precious gems and purchasing his diamonds served as a way for assorted shady characters – drug and arms dealers, despots and others – to launder their ill-gotten gains allowing the Vanderberg family to accumulate extreme wealth.
Much of that wealth is centered on a huge heart-shaped diamond and stealing it would deal a significant financial blow to the company. It, in particular, becomes the object of the con. Take the diamond, cripple the company and get out.
But nothing is ever that easy as they find themselves in numerous precarious heart-throbbing scenarios that are completely improbable, but that’s not the point of this is it?
That’s important to remember as well as nothing is as it seems in any of these movies and that’s part of their fun and “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” is no exception, which possesses the highest improbability factor of them all.
That, however, doesn’t diminish the overall escapist experience. The true star in these films is the illusions that leave the audience wondering not only how the tricks done, but also how they filmed it all.
Director Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland,” “Venom”) shows a cinematic sleight of hand in successfully presenting this all. He understands the task – getting the audience to buy in and executes it to great effect. In the process, he balances a significant and impressive cast that makes it easy to re-enter this world of prestidigitation.
Each character offers their respective strengths, but, of course, Eisenberg’s smarm and charm are on full display as is Harrelson’s acerbic sarcasm. In fact, all of the original cast gets their moments. Of the newcomers, Smith (“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu”) and Sessa (“The Holdovers”) standout.
Taken on its own terms – that of being pure entertainment – “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” satisfies as cinematic junk food. Do not go too deep beyond that.
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
Review
Movie: “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t”
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco
Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
Running time: (1 hour 52 minutes)
Rated: PG-13 for some strong language, violence and suggestive references.
Grade: B
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ proves to be prime escapist film for holiday season
Reporting by George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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