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Jun 10, 2016 · "Now You See Me 2," which reunites the crusading magicians for another heist/adventure, offers more of the same narrative shortcuts, substituting extensive flashbacks, whirling camerawork and digital effects for a truly magical sensibility. There's not much awe showcased here.
Rated: 3/5 Aug 9, 2016 Full Review Roxana Hadadi Chesapeake Family Magazine Now You See Me 2 is marginally better than its underwhelming 2013 predecessor thanks to new cast additions, but still...
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- Jon M. Chu
- PG-13
- Jesse Eisenberg
Slick, charming sequel has similarly intense fights, action. Read Common Sense Media's Now You See Me 2 review, age rating, and parents guide.
- Lionsgate
- Jon M. Chu
- Same old tricks.
- Verdict
By Max Nicholson
Updated: Nov 24, 2018 7:09 pm
Posted: Jun 10, 2016 12:27 am
If you thought 2013's Now You See Me was a bewildering disappointment, then producer Louis Leterrier and director Jon M. Chu's followup isn't likely to win you over. If anything, Now You See Me 2 doubles down on its implausibility and shoves even more swords twists into its already mangled basket plot. If, on the other hand, you can sit back and enjoy the series for what it is -- mindless razzmatazz -- then you're in for an okay ride.
One year after outsmarting the FBI with its Robin Hood-style magician antics, the Four Horseman (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and newcomer Lizzy Caplan) make a comeback appearance in the hope of exposing a corrupt tech company. However, the group's plan is foiled when they're suddenly (magically?) transported to China, where the company's mastermind (Daniel Radcliffe) blackmails them into pulling off a dangerous heist of his own.
As with the previous film, Now You See Me 2 almost entirely gets by on its showy set pieces and overqualified cast. Regarding the former, Chu does a good job of bringing the film's many action scenes to life, albeit with very few practical effects. Indeed, most if not all of the Horsemen's illusions are met with vigilant camera cuts and copious amounts of CGI -- much to their detriment -- but they're also creative and polished, which makes for a few entertaining moments onscreen.
Now You See Me 2 is a "turn your brain off" movie in that giving it a second thought would ruin the magic. To its credit, the sequel boasts a talented cast and some very stylish (CG-heavy) set pieces, but the story and characters are nonstarters. While series newcomers Caplan and Radcliffe add a bit of flair to the old routine, it isn't quite enoug...
- Max Nicholson
Jun 9, 2016 · The main sleight-of-hand at play in the illusion-themed sequel, “Now You See Me 2,” will be convincing audiences that a single oddball idea — and four bickering, bragging leads — can ...
Jun 1, 2016 · In “Now You See Me 2,” the infamous tricksters known as the Four Horsemen are back, toying with our heads in even more delirious — and ridiculous — ways.
Jun 1, 2016 · ‘Now You See Me 2’: Film Review. Daniel Radcliffe and Lizzy Caplan join the magic-caper franchise’s ensemble cast in this sequel.
