My quick rating - 6.2/10. I went into Now You See Me: Now You Don’t cautiously optimistic. I enjoyed the first two films for what they were - slick, globe-trotting magic capers that leaned hard into style, misdirection, and charm even when logic took a backseat. With this third entry positioning itself as the closing chapter of a trilogy (at least for now), the big question was whether it could stick the landing. The answer is… mostly, but not without fumbling a few cards along the way.
The setup is familiar but escalated. The original Horsemen are reunited, this time partnering with younger illusionists, for a challenge against the likes of Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike), the heiress of a vast diamond fortune running a criminal enterprise based on money laundering and human trafficking. It’s a tougher, more ruthless villain, which, theoretically, is the perfect premise for the Horsemen to finish what they started. Instead, the film splits its focus a little too evenly, and that’s where things start to wobble.
We’re introduced to several new players, and I’ll say this without spoiling anything: if I were Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), my answer would’ve been, “I’ll take you two, and you” - pointing directly at Bosco (Dominic Sessa) - “can go jump in the nearest pond.” That reaction is clearly intentional, and to Sessa’s credit, he plays the role exactly as designed. The problem is that the movie never fully earns the payoff for that annoyance. Justice Smith’s Charlie, the resident brainiac, and Ariana Greenblatt’s June, a sleight-of-hand prodigy, are solid additions, but they’re sketched so thin that it’s hard to truly care about them beyond their usefulness to the plot.
The returning cast is where the movie shines. Isla Fisher is back (fresh off Playdate), and it’s great to have her energy reintroduced into the mix. Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco slide effortlessly back into Merritt and Jack Wilder, and Morgan Freeman’s Thaddeus remains a welcome presence. The film really leans into franchise nostalgia too. Yes, Lula (Lizzy Caplan) pops up, and yes, there’s a little sequel tease involving Mark Ruffalo’s Dylan for anyone wondering if there’s still life left in this series.
There’s plenty of expected magic and glossy misdirection, and the final heist is visually impressive. Unfortunately, it lacks the deeply satisfying payoff that made the first two films so much fun. The twists feel forced, the revenge-driven plot drags, and sidelining the now five-member Horsemen in favor of underdeveloped newcomers is a questionable choice.
Still, this isn’t a bad movie, just a missed opportunity. The cast carries it, the energy is mostly there, and if you loved the first two, you’ll find enough spectacle to enjoy. I just don’t feel the same level of magic.
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