'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' Is Here – Is the Return of the Hit Franchise Worth Watching?
More than a decade after their triumphant debut and nine years after the disappointing sequel, the magician-adventurers return in Now You See Me: Now You Don't.
The original 2013 Now You See Me captivated audiences with its bold genre blending and charming charlatanism. Can the third installment, titled Now You See Me: Now You Don't, which brings together old and new Horsemen, repeat the feat?
A new director and shift in focus breathe new life into the franchise, but they can't erase its inherent flaws.
What Is 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' About?
After ten years, the original four Horsemen – Atlas, Merritt, Henley, and Jack – reunite. They are joined by three talented newcomers: Bosco, Charlie, and June, who use holograms instead of traditional pigeons.
Assigned by the mysterious organization The Eye, the united team must teach diamond magnate Veronika a lesson by stealing her giant heart-shaped diamond.
'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' Is Made by the Director of Zombieland & Uncharted – And It Shows
The change in directors benefited the franchise. Ruben Fleischer, a master of fun action adventures, took the reins. He brought out the chemistry between Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson in Zombieland, and he successfully adapted Uncharted for the screen.
And his signature style is evident in every scene of the new movie, with dynamic action, playful buddy-movie antics, and a light atmosphere.
Rather than trying to outsmart the material, Fleischer enthusiastically immerses viewers in a whirlwind of crazy stunts and comical situations, relying on the ensemble cast's charm.
The Third Movie Transforms From a Heist Film Into an Indiana Jones-Style Adventure
The franchise has undergone a significant genre shift. While the first installment was a crime story with a magical twist similar to Ocean's Eleven, the third installment consciously mimics the structure of classic adventure flicks, such as those in the Indiana Jones series or National Treasure.
The plot is steeped in archaeological mysteries, conspiracies, and the search for ancient artifacts. This archaic yet proven formula makes the movie nostalgic yet distinctly old-fashioned.
'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' Is Still Excessive and Naive, Yet Just as Captivating
In an era when the Louvre can be robbed in seven minutes, tricks that resemble magic seem like a tangled mess of contrived complications.
The viewers' senses are overwhelmed by optical illusions, musical numbers, and the characters' constant showmanship. However, a certain amount of madness, coupled with the actors' charm, works.
Ultimately, Now You See Me: Now You Don't is an unnecessary yet enjoyable experience for those willing to set aside logic and inflated expectations and simply enjoy the nostalgic ride.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't'?
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Now You See Me: Now You Don't has 58% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.2/10.
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On Letterboxd, the film scored 3.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't'?
Now You See Me: Now You Don't is currently playing in theaters.
