They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. They also say diamonds are forever. And when it comes to sequels – especially those about heists and modern-day Robin Hoods – their beauty lies in the eyes of the audience, along with their appeal.
Take, for instance, the third instalment of the “Now You See Me” franchise. Fans of the 2013 original might enjoy “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” for its fun, light-hearted magic.
Others, however, may find the jokes cringey, the plot uninspired, and the characters flat enough to belong in a cartoon.
Everyone knows films that involve heists and magic are typically made for pure entertainment, packed with high-octane fight sequences, impressive sleights of hand, and suspenseful moments leading up to the climax. You wouldn’t walk into a cinema expecting a deep, philosophical, character-driven drama.
That said, it’s been nearly a decade since “Now You See Me 2”, and audiences now expect tighter plots and stronger characters.
So director Ruben Fleischer – whose previous films like “Venom”, “Uncharted”, and “Gangster Squad” weren’t exactly critical darlings – and his writers had a tall order to deliver a sequel that balanced nostalgia with a story worth the audiences’ time.
“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa Ariana Greenblatt, with Rosamund Pike, and Morgan Freeman.
This third act of the franchise whisks audiences across the globe – from the streets of New York to France, and Antwerp to South Africa, the Arabian Desert, and Abu Dhabi – as The Horsemen receive a mysterious call from The Eye, the secretive global society of magicians dedicated to stealing from the rich to give to the poor.
This time, the Horsemen are tasked to pull off their biggest heist yet – to steal a priceless jewel from a corrupt diamond mogul (Pike) with a knack for blood money and market manipulation.
The twist? They will be joined by three new magicians-cum-vigilantes. As the OG team locks hands with the young members, egos butt heads, pride is scratched, and new tricks are unveiled.
Undoubtedly, newcomers Charlie (Smith), June (Greenblatt), and Bosco (Sessa) bring youthful energy and freshness, especially when paired with the Horsemen.
They’re clearly meant to mirror Atlas (Eisenberg), Jack (Franco), and Henley (Fisher) — a choice that might please long-time fans but also feels unnecessary. Sure, their banter adds a few laughs, but beyond that, it’s hard to see the point.
In a similar vein, Pike’s Veronika Vanderberg is, unfortunately, an outrightly flat and uninspired villain.
When audiences are first introduced to her, Pike shines in her ability to play an unpredictable baddie masked by a bright, charming smile. But as the film progresses, Veronika comes across as self-absorbed, easily fooled, and not particularly sharp. It’s an injustice to an actor like Pike – and even she couldn’t save the character.
And what about the original Horsemen? Alas, much like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Eisenberg, Franco, Fisher, and Harrelson don’t exactly inspire hope.
Yes, they each brought their familiar charm to their roles, and there was a brief spark when all four reunited. But with a mediocre plot and poorly written characters, you’ll need to lower your expectations if you hope to enjoy the ride.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. If all you want is 112 minutes of pure entertainment and a no-brainer plot to escape the stress of daily life, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” is right up your alley.
But if you’re looking for something deeper and richer, you’ll be left staring at an empty hat wondering where the magic went.
As of press time, ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.