The Four Horsemen return to the big screen after 3 years in “Now You See Me 2”. Jon M. Chu takes over directorial duties from the first film’s director Louis Leterrier who now serves as an executive producer for the film. Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson and more reprise their roles from the previous film alongside new additions like Lizzy Caplan and Daniel Radcliffe. The world-famous magicians now find themselves at the centre of someone else's elaborate scheme in the latest franchise instalment.
After evading the FBI, the Horsemen now find themselves living in hiding while they wait for new orders from the mystical organisation known simply as ‘the eye’. Finally, their handler, FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) arrives with new instructions: expose a tech CEO who’s new product will sell its users information to the black market. While the group successfully take over the product launch, accompanied by new member Lula who replaces Isla Fisher who was pregnant during the time of filming, they’re interrupted by an unknown individual who reveals all of their secrets. After fleeing their latest show, the Horsemen find themselves in Macau, China, a place known as the ‘Las Vegas of the East’. It’s soon revealed that the Horsemen were kidnapped by tech tycoon Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe) who wants them to steal a powerful computer chip for him. As they embark on this high-stakes mission, the horsemen must pull off one of their most daring heists yet or face the deadly consequences.
“Now You See Me 2” throws audiences straight back into the thrilling world of the Four Horsemen and their complex schemes. This second instalment in the franchise is more focused and narrowed in its story, allowing audiences to focus less on the spectacle of the Horsemen’s incredible tricks and more on the narrative, something that was sorely overlooked in the first film. What makes this film a step up from its predecessor is the fact that it’s much more focused and controlled than the first film with its fast-paced goosechase between the FBI and the Horsemen. Chu, alongside writer Ed Soloman creates a film that feels cleaner, polished, and doesn’t leave audiences with a mountain of unexplained questions. This time around, the film’s ending leaves considerably less questions for the audience. While we finally get to know more about ‘the eye’ the story is left in such a way that if the third film (which has been stuck in development limbo since 2015) were to be made, then it would be easy to pick up from where “Now You See Me 2” leaves off. On the other hand, if this film were to be the last of the franchise, then it’s a suitable place to leave these characters and their stories.
The entire cast all deliver convincing and charming performances, Lizzy Caplan is a stellar addition to the ensemble, providing a witty, buoyant performance that makes Lula one of the most likeable characters in the film. Daniel Radcliffe is another brilliant addition to the ensemble, giving a zany, unsettling turn as the film’s main villain. Radcliffe and Michael Caine work hand in hand to be the perfect villainous duo hellbent on destroying the Horsemen. Woody Harrelson also puts in another enjoyable performance, this time playing not only himself but his character’s meddling twin Chase who works with Walter Mabry. While we don’t get any additional backstory for any of the horsemen, we get more information surrounding Dylan’s father, who was revealed to be magician Lionel Shrike who died while performing a trick underwater, and we also get to know more about the mystical organisation the horsemen are a part of.
“Now You See Me 2” sees Jon M. Chu put his own spin on this entertaining franchise. The director brings audiences a film that easily tops the one brought to audiences by his predecessor Louis Leterrier. Featuring exciting new additions to the cast, unpredictable twists, and more unbelievable tricks “Now You See Me 2” is the better of the two films and is an clever crowd pleaser.