🎥 Want to see a magic trick? Nine years following its second installment, the Now You See Me franchise is back on the big screen with its highly-anticipated third film: Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, we’re once more introduced to The Four Horsemen of the magical apocalypse. This time though, they’re welcoming three new young magicians into their ranks.

So, what’s the trick? Charlie (Justice Smith), June (Ariana Greenblatt), and Bosco (Dominic Sessa), are three average teenagers with not-so-average aspirations. To them, The Four Horsemen are heroes, idols, and muses. Taking a page out of their book, the three teenagers stage magic shows, rob rich people, and redistribute their riches in a Robin Hood-esque manner. After the curtain falls on one of their shows, the trio returns home to find J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) waiting for them.

The Eye — the ancient society of skilled magicians — has a task for them. Atlas, Jack (Dave Franco), Merritt (Woody Harrelson), and Henley (Isla Fisher) — whose absence was notable in the second installment — join forces with the newcomers to confront Veronica Vanderburg (Rosamund Pike), one of the richest and most powerful women in the diamond trade.

We saw through this particular magic trick. Despite an entertaining premise and a somewhat cohesive plot, we felt as though the franchise had lost its spark. The cast looked exhausted, and performances — Harrelson’s and Eisenberg’s in particular — were underwhelming. While we did enjoy the appearance of nearly every single star in the franchise, including Morgan Freeman and Mark Ruffalo, we still couldn’t help but feel that the film had lost its mojo.

Out with the old, in with the new? Perhaps the inclusion of the three young magicians sets forth a new era for the franchise, which gives us hope for its future. Despite its shortcomings — and our reservations — we wouldn’t say that the film was bad. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t remains an entertaining watch for those among us with a penchant for magical heists (and financial equity).

WHERE TO WATCH- You can catch the film at Vox Cinemas at City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Alexandria. The film is also screening at City Stars Cinema, D5 and CFCM’s Scene Cinema, Cima Arkan, and P90 Cinema. Watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:24).

Tags: