The third installment of the “Now You See Me” franchise premiered last Friday, November 14 – almost a decade after the second. So it’s safe to say that the new film, entitled “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” was in the works for quite some time. The hype for the return of the group of beloved heist magicians was large, and the film did not disappoint.
The movie featured original cast members like Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, and Morgan Freeman, as well as some other surprise cameos that fans are guaranteed to love. These original “Horsemen” were joined by a younger generation of magicians, comprised of Ariana Greenblatt, Justice Smith, and Dominic Sessa. This combination resulted in a hilarious and relatable dynamic between generations that works to both stay true to the originals and bring in a new audience.
Besides the cast, other elements that recall the original films are the tarot card motif, jailbreak scene, huge unpredictable plot twist in the third act, and an elaborate scheme to bring down a wealthy and powerful person – with this film’s target being played by Rosamund Pike. The inclusion of the new cast members adds more unpredictability to these moments, as well as leads to a “magic-off” scene full of tricks and fun among fellow magicians.
Another new and unique element of this film is the Formula One motorsport storyline that consists of multiple scenes being filmed at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi and leads to a car chase scene unlike any other.
The end of the film sets things up perfectly for another installment to the franchise, which was announced back in April to be in progress. Details are limited as to what to expect in the next film, although it will likely be directed by Ruben Fleischer – who directed “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t – and feature the original Horsemen as well as the new generation.
Overall, the film succeeds in capturing the nostalgic feel of the early 2010s films while also keeping the story new and exciting and generating anticipation for what’s to come.
Junior Emily Myers is a Staff Writer. Her email is emyers3@fandm.edu.