Now You See Me 2: Movie Review
This is the weekend of sequels to films from 2013. For the horror fans there is “The Conjuring 2” and for those who want two hours of well-cast stupidity, there is “Now You See Me 2”. I liked “Now You See Me”. It was fun, moved along nicely and had a great cast. It also kept you guessing. Taking over the director’s chair from Louis Leterrier, is Jon M. Chu ( “Step Up 3D”, “Jem and the Holograms”, and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation”). Chu’s past credits should give you an idea of what to expect with “Now You See Me 2”. It’s got flash, style, and energy, but lacking in almost everything else.
Following the events of the first film, the turtles, horsemen have been living in the shadows. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself). They are wanted by the FBI for their magical crimes. FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) is still working both sides, but having trouble keeping it all together. Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) who had faked his own death has been keeping a low profile with Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson). and J. Daniels Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) has been secretly communicating with “The Eye”. Isla Fisher has decided not to return for the sequel as the fourth horseman (good call). Comedic actress Lizzy Caplan steps in as the new member, Lula.
This time around the horsemen find themselves being blackmailed by tech genius Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe). They can either steal a piece of valuable technology for him that will make him quite powerful or they can chose to die. Of course they chose the first option. While the horsemen are planning their job, Dylan is trying to figure out where his team has disappeared to. Helping him out is Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), who he had locked away in prison at the end of the first film.
“Now You See Me 2” tries to out-do the unbelievable illusions from the first film, making them even more unbelievable. This is a big issue when the movie is about magicians but not real magic. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of it. I am not saying that “Now You See Me 2” is a bore. It’s actually not. The cast helps keep things somewhat entertaining. However one big mistake was having Woody Harrelson play his own twin brother, who happens to work for the bad guy. It was a truly awful performance.
“Now You See Me 2” is such a waste for a talented cast that can do a whole lot better. If it turns out to be the hit that the first film was, the doors are left wide-open for “Now You See Me 3”. Let’s just hope if that happens they bring some intelligence back into the story.
By: Marc Ferman