Now You See Me: Now You Don’t Review
There was a special type of “magic” that came out of the first two Now You See Me films, undoing the heist subgenre and rebuilding it from the ground up. Through the Four Horsemen’s Robin Hood-styled stunts that bedazzled audiences, these movies became a beloved staple of the genre that felt unique. However, the long hiatus for a sequel kept the most passionate of fans hooked for whatever this franchise could do next. Fortunately, with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, that wait has delivered another trick up its sleeve that’ll definitely wow you.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t sees a trio of inspired illusionists filling in the hole that the Four Horsemen left behind in their split. Consisting of the introverted Charlie (Justice Smith), the pessimistic trickster Bosco (Dominic Sessa), and the alluring pickpocket June (Ariana Greenblatt), the three try to live up to the Horsemen’s name. However, when mysterious letters reunite the original Horsemen into a dangerous heist involving the world’s most dangerous crime family, it means the show must go on.
Obviously, it wouldn’t be a Now You See Me film if this one didn’t have all the glitz and glamour from the original movies. Although, at times, it also feels like director Ruben Fleischer knows that his story here is “part one of two” with familiar, if constant, callbacks to the previous movies. The opening sequence alone is reminiscent of a big scene from the second film involving the Horsemen giving Tressler’s money away to an angry crowd. Yet, Fleischer is able to put an intricate spin on such scenes not just because of the narrative circumstances, but also because of the actual stakes themselves.
These callbacks are really what make Now You See Me: Now You Don’t nostalgic, perhaps for the better. Not only is there a combination of new and old things to showcase, but there are also some legitimately surprising returns. While I didn’t expect some characters to return, given how the film initially fills in those gaps with brief exposition, their returns to the franchise were welcome ones. It does make for some hilarious back-and-forths between particular characters, especially with Henley (Isla Fisher), creating enough charm to not feel too overbearing.
Although, it does mean that some of those moments meant to satisfy original fans can be somewhat undervalued. This is a particular issue around the second act, involving Thaddeus (Morgan Freeman) bringing the Horsemen and their new recruits to this secret, weirdly-constructed mansion. Most of the second act itself might feel like the characters’ discoveries were inevitable and those integral points only swiftly hold some emotional weight before moving onto the next thing.
At its center, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’s idea of the new generation upstaging the old generation really allows the new cast to shine in the spotlight. Smith’s Charlie plays on Atlas’s (Jesse Eisenberg) calculating mindset to come up with the film’s intriguing plans, Sessa’s Bosco is nearly as cunning and devious as Merritt (Woody Harrelson), and Greenblatt’s June really gets put to work to test Jack’s (Dave Franco) skills and even fight in the many action sequences. The way that Fleischer and the film’s multiple screenwriters lift them up is simply amazing as, in nearly every moment they share with the original Horsemen, the film finds ways to make them upstage their predecessors.
Although, because of this, it may leave some fans disappointed that the original Horsemen aren’t given that same time to continue building on that potential. Fortunately, through the despicable graces of Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike), the Horsemen are put through situations that do allow them to present their skills once again. The motivations for Veronika’s actions are understandable, if formulaic, but the circumstances regarding her family affairs and history are meticulously put together. It makes the film’s big twist even more surprising (even if the reveal can be somewhat assumed just a few minutes before.)
However, it can often be relegated to more telling than showing at times, particularly when the final heist plays out. Though, in the action-packed sequences, the Horsemen do get ample time to present their fighting skills in their own sensational ways. This also shows at certain points, where the film has a need to get to the good stuff as fast as possible by letting those conversational moments be plot-driven. Sure, it’s good to get to the action, but if those emotional moments were stretched out for a few more seconds, or even minutes, it lets that tension and generational worry settle in better.
Overall, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t confidently mesmerizes you once again through its stellar new cast and exciting set pieces that’ll leave you amazed. While some parts of it may like to look back on what made the first two films special, there’s so much potential that this next installment utilizes to present another captivating trick that will keep you hooked until the very end.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t releases in theaters on November 14.
Rating: ★★★★
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.