115 minutes, Crime Comedy, M

“When we write ourselves into a dead end, let there be magic”

This appears to be the writers’ consistent train of thought applied to every pursuit undertaken by The Four Horsemen in the sequel to the box-office hit from 2013. In NOW YOU SEE ME 2, which has a new director and a some changes to the cast, Jack (Dave Franco), Dylan (Mark Ruffalo), Lula (New recruit, Lizzy Caplan who is filling in for a pregnant Isla Fisher) and J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) are assigned a new mission – to expose the unethical practices of a tech magnate that takes the foursome on a global adventure.

When I say “let there be magic”, I mean the CGI variety, of course. For NOW YOU SEE ME 2 is devoid of genuine magic trickery, but more importantly, of movie magic. After a rather flawed, yet entertaining first half that solidifies its many side stories and their connection to the plight of The Four Horsemen, the clunky screenplay begins to weigh down upon its viewers. The heavy-handed direction work of Jon M. Chu (G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, STEP UP 2: THE STREETS) begins to limit the escapist fun expected and instead, this sequel rapidly finds itself becoming a frustratingly incoherent and unnecessarily convoluted watch as it progresses. In an effort to distract the audience from the mess in the making, failed attempts to humour are awkwardly distributed that ultimately end up wasting time – the movies and ours. The decisive blow, however, which completely knocks out the ability for NOW YOU SEE ME 2 to continue entertaining is its collective mix of ridiculous character connections and its reckless, complete disregard to be conceivable in any way. This sequel is merely a careless whisper of the intrigue and alluring mystery summoned from the previous outing.

1.5 out of 5

NOW YOU SEE ME 2 – Film Trailer

Footnote to Parents
M rated for violence and suitable for a teenage audience

Moviedoc wishes to thank Claire from Entertainment One, Entertainment One and The Backlot Studios for the invitation to the media screening of NOW YOU SEE ME 2.

Review by Moviedoc
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