The latest installment in the “Now You See Me” series, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” directed by Ruben Fleischer, provides an entertaining addition to the franchise that combines intrigue, humor, and stunning illusions. This film, which many fans might consider the best of the trilogy, features a screenplay with contributions from a range of writers including Michael Lesslie and Paul Wernick, ensuring a dynamic storytelling experience.
In this sequel, the audience is reintroduced to the fan-favorite group of magicians known as the Horsemen. Jesse Eisenberg returns as J. Daniel Atlas, leading a new generation of talent that includes Charlie (Justice Smith), Bosco (Dominic Sessa), and June (Ariana Greenblatt), aspiring magicians who idolize the Horsemen and live in a creative community in Bushwick. The excitement escalates when Atlas invites them to join a thrilling adventure in Belgium, creating a connection between the older and younger magicians.
However, the film also explores internal conflicts among the original Horsemen—Atlas, Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), Jack Wilder (Dave Franco), Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher), and Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman)—as they navigate their past grievances while preparing to stand against the formidable Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike), an antagonist from a South African diamond fortune and crime syndicate.
Despite some clunky generational jokes that may not resonate with all audiences, the film maintains a lively pace, filled with energetic set pieces that showcase the quips and charm characteristic of the series. This installment leans into the nostalgia of magic itself, celebrating its history and pointing to the theme of mentorship. It emphasizes the continuity of magic as an art form, showing how the new generation builds upon the legacies of their predecessors.
Ultimately, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” delivers on the blend of dazzling illusions and adventure that fans expect, all while reinforcing the interconnectedness of different generations of magicians and the joy of creativity in the craft. The film balances fun and sentimentality, ensuring that viewers leave entertained and perhaps inspired by the magic that connects us all.