Now You See Me 2

What card could they possibly have up their sleeves in the sequel to “Now You See Me” (2013)? Maybe someone could pull a hat out of a rabbit? Oops, spoiler alert on that one.

If you recall, this is the story of The Four Horseman (catchy name) of magic, who pull off so many wildly improbable feats, they make David Blaine look like a rank amateur.

The Four Horseman won over the hearts and minds of a global audience with Robin Hood-style magical extravaganzas. The FBI was outwitted and not amused. Our heroes had no choice but to vanish into the night. We love illusions, but the magic men push a bit too far with exceedingly precise card flicking, implausible sleight of hand and instant hypnosis that won’t challenge Obi-Wan’s “These are not the droids you are looking for.”

The star-studded cast boasts Oscar winners Morgan Freeman as nemesis Thaddeus Bradley and Michael Caine as the evil tycoon Arthur Tressler. There are also Oscar nominees Jesse Eisenberg as lead magician, J. Daniel Atlas, Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes and Woody Harrelson as senior Horseman Merritt McKinney. In addition, Harrelson foolishly plays his annoying twin brother that detracts from the story.

Dave Franco, cute as a chipmunk, returns as junior Horseman Jack Wilder. But, as Horseman (or is it Horsewoman?) Isla Fischer was pregnant during filming, the spunky Lizzy Caplan, as Lula, replaces her. They say, “Seeing is believing.” We saw, but couldn’t really believe. Fortunately, the team has stealthy support from “The Eye.”

In the original, Bradley took the blame and was jailed. Now, he escapes and warns, “Are you listening, Horsemen? You will get what’s coming to you, in ways you can’t expect!” We thought it interesting that Bradley (Morgan Freeman) opts for the back seat of a sedan, to be chauffeured. Wondering if this is a subtle tribute to Freeman’s 1989 Oscar winning role. At this stage of his career, somebody else can drive “Miss Daisy.”

The Horsemen resurface to expose the unethical practices of evil corporate mogul, Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliff, “Harry Potter”). But, nobody expected the tables to get turned on the four cocky wizards. During a daring escape from the rooftop of a Vegas hotel, they inexplicably land in the back room of a Chinese restaurant, in China.

Disoriented, the Horsemen are no longer in control of their elegant illusions or covert lives. They are forced by technology giant, the diminutive Walter Mabry, to enact an elaborate scheme of corporate espionage. Holding a printed circuit board, Mabry explains the technology he wants stolen, “This is the key to every computer system on the planet. I want you to steal it for me.” He might as well have bellowed, “Bwoo-ha-ha!”

Although the team is against working for the wicked industrialist, Atlas agrees. On behalf of the team, he coolly and boldly announces, “We will go out with a show people will never forget!” Maybe, just maybe, he has a plan.

Jon M. Chu, who directed Justin Bieber documentaries and “Jem and the Holograms,” knows how to uses a charismatic cast, flashy crowd scenes and international set pieces (London and Macau, China) to effectively keep the entertainment value high. We do offer one word to Eisenberg, playing the smug and slick Atlas: “Decaf” (pulleeze!).

“Now You See Me 2” is 129 minutes and rated PG-13 for violence and language. The plot relies so heavily on contrived setups and improbable events, it makes “Mission Impossible” look mundane. Worse yet, those interested in magic may be disappointed, as the illusions are so visibly generated by CGI effects, it creates a vast integrity gap.

The third installment has already been announced. We know there will be more magic, but hope there will be more movie magic. In fairness, the ensemble cast is likeable, scenes exciting and the misdirection leading up to the big reveal is mildly entertaining. However, we’re wondering if the last illusion takes place on an airplane, do we call the magicians “flying sorcerers?”

 




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