Synopsis:
THE FOUR HORSEMEN [Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan] return for a second mind-bending adventure, elevating the limits of stage illusion to new heights and taking them around the globe. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than WALTER MABRY [Daniel Radcliffe], a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all. Summit Entertainment presents a K/O Paper Products production, a Jon M. Chu film.
What We Thought:
Now You See Me was a surprise hit a few years ago and I really wasn’t sure why. It’s not a bad film, but it came out during summer blockbuster time and it certainly wasn’t a blockbuster to me. I can say the same exact thing for Now You See Me 2.
This time around The Four Horseman are on the run from the aftermath of their actions in the first film. Gone is Isla Fisher replaced with Lizzy Caplan. This time Mark Ruffalo is part of the gang keeping them hidden from authorities which he is part of.
The use magic and tricks to steal some tech for Daniel Radcliffe’s character and then turn the pages on him at the end with a big spectacle in England.
Now if you liked the first film, you’ll probably like this one. It’s a bit too long for me and it has a lot of the same issues as the first one. Most of the tricks seem forced and unnecessary. The sleight of hand used to steal the tech was completely unnecessary. It looked Three Stooges-esque and not in a funny way.
The biggest problem with this film is Woody Harrelson’s brother character. Woody plays his original character from the first film along with a “bad guy” brother character who is a total joke. It’s a terrible and pretty pointless character and one I kept waiting to do something. I thought there would be a big reveal with the brother, but it never came.
I also didn’t like Lizzy Caplan in this. I usually like her, but her character was super annoying and felt forced because Isla Fisher wasn’t available.
I will say I continue to like Daniel Radcliffe. I never got into Harry Potter, but I keep liking him in other movies he’s been in. I actually liked him in the sort of bad guy in this. Plus you can never go wrong with Michael Caine as well.
I’m not sure what Now You See Me 2 will do at the box office. A lot of films aren’t making the money they thought they would. With The Conjuring 2 and Warcraft opening against it, it could get lost in the mix. I think the people who don’t want to see comic book movies that went and saw the first one might see The Conjuring 2 instead. It’s a serviceable enough film, but like the original, it just didn’t do much for me beyond one viewing.
FANS MIGHT LIKE IT, I WAS DISAPPOINTED!
Cast & Crew:
- Mark Ruffalo
- Jesse Eisenberg
- Woody Harrelson
- Morgan Freeman
- Dave Franco
- Daniel Radcliffe
- Michael Caine
- Lizzy Caplan
Recommended If You Like:
- Now You See Me
- The Prestige
- Magic!
The Nerds Templar 