The long-awaited third instalment of the popular magician heist franchise has finally arrived in Australian cinemas. Now You See Me, Now You Don't brings back the familiar formula of elaborate illusions and high-stakes robberies that fans have loved since the first film debuted in 2013.
Returning Faces and New Blood
Director Ruben Fleischer reassembles most of the original cast for this magical caper. Jesse Eisenberg returns as Danny Atlas, alongside Woody Harrelson as Merritt McBride and Dave Franco as Jack Wilder. The film picks up with the Four Horsemen having gone their separate ways after some tension following their last adventure.
Harrelson's character Merritt reportedly spent time battling personal demons with alcohol, while Franco's Jack Wilder performed his magic on cruise ships. Their reunion sets the stage for another impossible mission.
The film introduces three new illusionists who've captured public attention. Charlie (Justice Smith), June (Ariana Greenblatt), and Bosco Leroy (Dominic Sessa) form their own magical trio that initially clashes with the original Horsemen before joining forces.
The Elaborate Heist Returns
This time, the target is cold-as-ice South African diamond magnate Veronika Vanderburg, played by Rosamund Pike. The villainous Vanderburg operates a massive diamond company while secretly laundering money for dangerous criminal organisations.
The plot takes audiences across glamorous international locations including Abu Dhabi and Antwerp as the magicians plan their most daring theft yet. Fleischer, who previously directed Eisenberg and Harrelson in Zombieland, keeps the pace brisk with several impressive set pieces.
Audiences can expect everything from high-speed car chases to dramatic water escapes and a multi-magician duel that showcases different styles of illusion. The film builds toward the signature elaborate heist that defines the franchise.
Franchise Strengths and Weaknesses
While the formula remains largely unchanged from previous instalments, the film does address some logical questions about the magicians' celebrity status. As one reviewer noted, these illusionists don't seem particularly concerned with disguises, despite their faces being relatively well-known in criminal circles.
The character dynamics provide both entertainment and occasional irritation. The original Horsemen can sometimes come across as excessively smug, particularly Eisenberg's Danny Atlas in his interactions with the younger magicians.
One standout sequence occurs in the former headquarters of the Eye, filled with puzzles and illusions that create what feels like a giant escape room. While visually spectacular, this segment does feel somewhat disconnected from the main narrative.
With five writers credited for story and screenplay, the film occasionally suffers from episodic pacing. However, the banter and one-upmanship between characters generally entertains, even when the wit feels somewhat forced.
Now You See Me, Now You Don't delivers exactly what fans of the franchise expect: flashy illusions, elaborate heists, and the familiar dynamic between charismatic magicians. While it may not reinvent the wheel, it provides an enjoyable return to a world where magic meets mischief.
