After almost a decade, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco reunite for another captivating movie in the “Now You See Me” franchise. Featuring extravagant tricks and smooth incorporations of computer-generated imagery (CGI), “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” is guaranteed to leave its audience in complete awe.
It’s been twelve years since the infamous “Four Horsemen,” Daniel Atlas, Merritt Mckinney, Henley Reeves, and Jack Wilder first set up their series of shows to distribute stolen money to those in need. Three years later, they exposed the tycoon, Walter Mabry, with the help of Dylan Shrike. Some time after, Shrike was imprisoned during another heist attempt, and the “Four Horsemen” parted ways. Now, they are brought back together with a new objective. But this time, they’re not performing; they’re working behind the scenes.
Released in theaters on Nov. 14, the movie topped the global box office at $75.5 million in just three days. Despite a relatively low critic rating of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, a reported 82% of audience members enjoyed the movie on the site.
The movie begins like every other in its series: an astonishing trick, but there’s a catch. As opposed to the original “Four Horsemen,” young illusionists Bosco, June, and Charlie, have joined the fray. Together, they are tasked by “The Eye,” an ancient magic organization, to bring down Veronika Vanderburg, head of a corrupt South African diamond company. Their mission? Steal the world’s largest diamond, the “Heart Diamond,” all while evading the watchful eyes of police and the FBI.
The plot is, admittedly, unsteady and inconsistent. The first 45 minutes consisted of the magicians blindly following the orders of “The Eye” without any apparent reason, which is absurd because the “Four Horsemen” were already initiated and should be able to contact “The Eye.” Even Thaddeus Bradley, an older illusionist who was once the leader of “The Eye,” was unaware of the details of their mission. The reason for their lack of suspicion is never fully addressed.
Fortunately, this weakness is overshadowed by the movie’s use of special effects. The film continuously dazzles viewers with displays of magic that are so elegant they are almost believable. Every trick, no matter how big or small, is outstanding. The fight scenes, despite transcending logic and reason, keep your eyes glued to the screen in suspense. Multiple scenes use this to their advantage by combining the two highlights to create a consistent system of attack and distraction.
The element of surprise is another prominent strong suit of this series. This movie featured a plot twist so unexpected that it was genuinely shocking, even compared to the previous movies. After a bit of reflection, it’s clear how they subtly hinted at the grand scheme of things, but, as mentioned, the logic is muddled and impractical. That isn’t to say it wasn’t ingenious; it was just an unlikely solution that doesn’t make complete sense.
From an unbiased point of view, the movie excels at what it sets out to do. The execution of tricks is easy to grasp, and the stunts are eye-catching and impressive. If you’re looking for a movie that will rack your brain, this may not fulfill your expectations. But if you’re looking for a fun, thrilling movie to watch with your family or friends, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” is the perfect addition to your watchlist.
