‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ Captures the Magic Once Again!
There’s nothing I love more than when I can’t figure out a film’s twist before the reveal. As someone who has watched way more movies and television series than I would care to admit, I’ve become rather good at putting together the clues. Call me Steve, because I’ll string together those Blue’s Clues in record time. That being said, those movies in which I can’t figure out where the story is headed, or genuinely surprised by a curveball I didn’t see coming, rocket to the top of my all-time favorite list. It’s on this list that the first two films of the Now You See Me Franchise live, as both absolutely took me on a ride that I couldn’t predict the ending. However, can the latest film in the series, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, continue that streak?
With almost a decade between the second film and this one, is the magic that was once present still there? The trick is making sure you’re getting it right, and with four writers, Michael Lesslie (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), writing partners Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese (The Deadpool and Zombieland franchises), along with Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), perhaps the right mixture is present. Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Uncharted, Venom), Now You See Me: Now You Don’t sees the return of familiar faces from the franchise’s past, while shepherding a new generation of magicians into the mix.
Does this third film have the same magic as the first two movies? Continue on to discover if Now You See Me: Now You Don’t enchanted this critic, or if I was left hoping this film was just an illusion.
[Warning: spoilers from Now You See Me: Now You Don’t are below!]
The Horsemen reunite for one final mission in this Lionsgate film
It’s been a decade since we last saw the Horsemen in action, both in reality and within the film itself. How quickly the bonds had broken between the once inseparable magicians, proving that even the best of friends can turn their backs on each other. Where once there was a vibrant relationship stands nothing but rumble, a void that needs to be filled. Seeing an opportunity, a new trio of young magicians dives headfirst into the world of magic, and perhaps draws just a bit too much attention to themselves.
Charlie (Justice Smith) feels very much like the new Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), the planner of the group, who is always three steps ahead of everyone else in the room. Joining him in this scheme to get rich are Bosco (Dominic Sessa), a master of impressions, and June (Ariana Greenblatt), an expert lockpicker and pickpocket. Together, these three stage a pseudo-reunion between the Horsemen, using their image to steal from the rich and line their pockets just a bit. However, every action has consequences, and naturally, when you use the face of someone as intelligent and arrogant, as J. Daniel Atlas, he’s going to take notice.
With the help of Atlas, Charlie, Bosco, and June are thrust into the world of The Eye and the danger that comes with the organization. Together, they’re called together to steal a diamond the size of a baby’s cranium, aptly named The Heart, from the head of one of the world’s worst criminal organizations, Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike).
However, with any plan, there’s the chance that things might not go according to plan. While the trap is set, Atlas and his new Horsemen won’t be able to pull it off without a little help from some friends. With the return of mentalist Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), sleight of hand extraordinaire Jack Wilder (Dave Franco), and escapologist Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher), perhaps the Horsemen can make it out of this alive.
A wild ride and a sticky landing
From the opening moments of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the cast and creatives once again captured the franchise’s magic. What has always made this series excel is the brilliant mixture of witty writing and impressive action sequences. The blend of magic and illusions with the heist-film concept has always seemed so unique, like this generation’s Ocean’s 11, but with magic and nerdiness.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t took the action from the first two films and turned them up to 11. I know someone of you may find that statement incredulous when the card trick from the second film exists, but it was like the creatives knew that if they were going to revitalize the brand, they needed to pull out all the stops and show audiences just how wild the world of illusions and magic can be. There were multiple sequences in which my nephew (who is quite possibly the biggest Now You See Me fan I know) and I either exclaimed in excitement or just stared at the screen with our jaws wide open.
However, for someone like me, what makes these films so enjoyable is the incredible writing that carries both the story and the dialogue. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t features a story as complex as the first two chapters, though it struggles to land. Not that the ending itself is bad; however, it features a twist that (if you think about it too much) falls apart. Yes, it is still intensely enjoyable, but when my nephew and I began to discuss the timeline of events, things just didn’t seem to add up.
Although it isn’t the story writing of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t that impressed me, but once again, it’s the moments between characters and the snappy dialogue that drew me in. There’s a level of wit to the writing that reminds me so much of Gilmore Girls, which is easily one of the best-written shows in existence, which is the ultimate compliment for a movie. While part of it might be the way the actors bring the words to life, without a strong foundation on which to build, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t would just fall flat.
Final thoughts on Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
This film’s strength lies in its script, which offers another excellent viewing experience. While some may wonder why it took so long to get Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, but I’m for one, glad that Lionsgate took the time to get this film right, instead of pushing out a movie that tarnishes the brand in the end. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t not only revitalizes the franchise but also pushes it into a new and exciting direction for future films to explore.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is currently in theaters! Have you checked out this film yet? Let us know your thoughts @BoxSeatBabes on all major social media platforms!
Predator: Badlands Finds the Humanity in this Action Franchise
