Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Review of NOW YOU SEE ME 2: Inventive Illusions

June 13, 2016



The original "Now You See Me" was a sleeper hit of 2013. I rated it one of the top 20 films that I had seen that year. It began with an incredibly staged heist, and brought us along a puzzling roller coaster ride of a film that kept us wondering to the very end. Overall, it was, in my own words, "a very energetic, intelligent and most importantly, entertaining film". (My review was posted HERE.) 

Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), McKinney (Woody Harrelson) and Wilder (Dave Franco) were in hiding after their major caper from the first film, that led to exposure of the insurance fraud of Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine) and the incarceration of double-crossing magician Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman). 

FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) reassembled the team, introducing Lula May (Lizzy Caplan) as the fourth Horseman.The mission was to expose tech businessman Owen Case (Ben Lamb) and his plan to use his new product to invade consumer privacy. However, their plans go haywire and the tables were turned on the Horsemen. From their getaway, the four mysteriously find themselves in Macau as the prisoners of eccentric millionaire, Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe), who wants Case's vile technology for himself. 

Like the first film, this sequel relies on the magnetic charm of the Horsemen and their showmanship. Eisenberg, Franco and Harrelson (x2 in this sequel) all pour on the charisma to make this magical gem sparkle again. It was not too easy at first to accept Lizzy Caplan instead of Isla Fisher as the lone female member. Caplan does grow on you eventually in her awkwardly quirky way. The role of Rhodes takes on a different dimension this time because of the revelation at the end of the first film; and Ruffalo does the drama justice.

Radcliffe was a rather weird fit in all this ensemble, feeling he was miscast as the bad guy. Of course, senior stars Caine and Freeman can do no wrong in anything they do. It was very good to see Chinese actress Tsai Chin (best known to us for her role in "The Joy Luck Club") in an important role. However, as her son, Taiwanese superstar Jay Chou was sadly underused in a very minor role.

Even if they try to explain the magic tricks they show here, everything was just so over-the-top incredible. Anyhow, we are kept on the edge on another twisty ride until it reaches that final outcome in that New Year's Eve climax aboard a jet plane over London. Everything we loved about the first film -- the stylish CG visual effects and nifty exciting film editing -- makes this sequel a worthy one, and makes us look forward to the third installment. This same familiarity though makes it lose some points versus the totally unpredictable original. However, this still had its own entertaining surprises up its sleeve to the very end. 7/10. 


19 comments:

  1. I watched the version 1 before and it entertained my appetite for movie plot which really give positive result within me. Well, this movie number 2? I'll try to watch at Cinema. Nice review indeed!

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  2. Still thinking if I want to watch this one. Maybe if someone invites me to watch it. hehe
    Off topic: I finally saw Room. I read your review before and got interested. Thanks.

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    1. Did you like it, Room? It will certainly strike a cord in mothers.

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    2. I hope my comment got through. I liked the movie. Acting was subdued but very effective. The story seemed simple but the thought that there is a news story similar to this is scary.

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  3. I better catch up with the first one. The sequel looks really cool.

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  4. I enjoyed the first movie which is why I also want to watch this second one. It sounds amazing and I'm really curious about what Daniel Radcliffe's role is all about!

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  5. I can't wait to watch this! A movie date night with my husband is in order!

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  6. I haven't watched the first film but I'm now intrigued. I better watch it first so I can appreciate this movie even more. :-)

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  7. I got to catch the first one before watching the second :( I think it looks like something unique! Will share with you what I think after I watched it!

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  8. I've seen the 1st film & loved it. Can't wait for this to get released here. Your rating of 7/10 is promising...

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  9. Oh wow I didn't know they came out with a sequel. The first one was soooo good. Thanks for the great review. I can't wait to watch this.

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  10. im actually planing to watch this soon. been seeing the trailer and it made me feel so excited watching it. the 1st one's also great!

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  11. Super excited to watch this! my brother and I loved the first movie, and I'm sure we'll like this one too.

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  12. Though, I have not watched this movie before but the trailer is just great. Hope to get some times soon to watch it. Thanks for sharing

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  13. Oh my!!! This is the movie I'd been looking forward and waiting to watch... It's showing soon here! Excitednya!

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  14. Oh I never watched Part 1. Must see looks like after reading the review of Part 2.

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  15. :D I love the first part, and I hate that Isla Fisher is not in part 2...

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  16. I will watch this movie again. I love magic, well I am fascinated with their magic works and tricks.

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  17. I loved this film. Whatever flaw it had was lost on me, I was completely drawn to the magic and movement. :)

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