Now You See Me 2

Today’s quick review: Now You See Me 2. Eighteen months after their last job, the Four Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Lizzy Caplan), a group of magicians who use their talents to combat injustice, return to right another wrong. But their comeback is upstaged by Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe), an information magnate believed dead, who abducts the Horsemen and forces them to steal a dangerous computer chip for him.

Now You See Me 2 is a magic-based heist film with an ensemble cast. Set in the wake of the first film, Now You See Me 2 sees the Horsemen stumble out of the starting gate as they return to the public eye. Weakened by doubts and their time in the shadows, they are one-upped, kidnapped, and forced to use their talents to help Mabry cement his power over the world’s information.

Now You See Me 2 sports a couple of cast changes from the original. Lizzy Caplan replaces Isla Fisher on the Horsemen’s roster, the talkative Lula filling a similar role as the first movie’s Henley Reeves. Daniel Radcliffe joins the cast as Walter Mabry, a villainous millionaire who orchestrates the Horsemen’s downfall. The changes work well enough, but do not add all that much to the series: Radcliffe makes for an odd villain, while Caplan has a minor part at best.

Much of the original cast returns, including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine. The high pedigree of the cast is marred somewhat by weak roles for veteran actors Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, but the Horsemen have good banter and Mark Ruffalo makes for a likable protagonist.

Now You See Me 2 addresses one of the issues with the first film, but at a cost. The original kept its leads offscreen for much of the film in order to keep their plans secret. The sequel shows the Horsemen improvising as they go along, both humanizing them and affording them more screen time. Their tricks are a joy to watch, and each heist has an inventiveness that few ordinary crime films can rival.

The tradeoff is a somewhat weaker plot than the original, with an unclear trajectory and twists that are harder to appreciate. Putting the Horsemen on such a weak footing damages the mystique they built up during the first film, while the plot’s grand reveal leaves something to be desired. The sequel also delves deeper into the backstory of the original, which, depending on your perspectice, is either a sensible elaobration or a needless reframing.

Still, Now You See Me 2 is an enjoyable and unpredictable heist film with a couple of unique perks. Watch it if you enjoyed the first film and are game for another. The sequel’s changes are not all positive, but enough of the old charm is there for the sequel to be worth a watch to the curious. But those content with the ending of the first film would not be missing too much by skipping the second.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for being an entertaining heist film with a strong cast and some plot issues.

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