![]() Finally, during the film’s elaborate airplane finale, we never quite feel like our heroes are in danger. In reality, he’d be panicking too much to make such a mental leap.ģ. This is cool in theory, but practically, it requires way too much outside-the-box thinking for a character in such mortal duress. Getting mentally in touch with his “escape artist” father, he has an epiphany as to solving the situation. During the film’s “All is Lost” moment, Ruffalo’s character faces his most dangerous moment in the film. Who knew that each Horseman was such a master at flinging cards? And who knew these inspectors were so dumb as to not notice it?Ģ. Unlike Brian DePalma’s brilliant breach of CIA headquarters in “Mission Impossible” (1996) or Steven Soderbergh’s dazzling Las Vegas casino heist in “Oceans Eleven” (2001), the big computer-chip heist never quite feels plausible in “Now You See Me 2.” After passing through a metal detector, the suspicious characters are allowed to roam around the chamber without hardly any supervision.īeyond that, the action sequence relies too heavily on characters flinging around CGI playing cards, catching the Ace of Spades and quickly hiding it from the inspectors. Even Morgan Freeman’s angelic voice can’t make us buy them.įor specific examples, let’s consider the movie’s three biggest set pieces:ġ. While the caper moves fairly well and is certainly never boring, the script’s compounding plot twists become increasingly unbelievable. This decision is the first of many choices that make us wonder what the filmmakers were thinking. Still, viewers will feel bad for Woody Harrelson, who is arguably the most talented of the bunch (“Cheers,” “White Men Can’t Jump,” “No Country For Old Men,” “True Detective”), but is given the ridiculous task of playing both his original role and the role of his zany evil twin - both hypnotists. ![]() Mark Ruffalo remains one of the most underrated and talented actors we have going today, from “The Kids Are All Right” (2010) to “The Avengers” (2012), “Foxcatcher” (2014) to “Spotlight” (2015).ĭave Franco looks impossibly similar to brother James Franco - the similarities are indeed eerie - and recently proved on “The Tonight Show” that he actually can fling cards like flying daggers.Īnd while we miss Isla Fisher (“Wedding Crashers”), the snappy Lizzy Caplan (“Cloverfield”) is a cool addition, introduced with a Mouse Trap domino “suicide” that recalls “Harold and Maude” (1971). Jesse Eisenberg has found a comfortable home in the role of Danny Ocean - err, umm Atlas. While the magicians have been in hiding since their latest score, they’re pulled out of the shadows by a bratty tech wizard (Daniel Radcliffe), who recruits them to steal an all-powerful computer chip in an attempt to get even with his former business partner and please his conniving father (Michael Caine).Īs with the last installment, the intensely charming cast is the best thing the movie has going for it. Former illusionist Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman) is still in jail after his antics in the first installment, his character patterned after Val Valentino, who exposed tricks on TV’s “Magic’s Biggest Secrets: Finally Revealed” (1997). Now, the gang is back in “Now You See Me 2,” including ringleader Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), hypnotist Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), pickpocket and card-flinger Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) and an escape artist’s son Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) who now works for the FBI.Īt the outset of the film, Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) has left the group, requiring the group to find a new member in the form of wisecracking prankster Lula (Lizzy Caplan). Yours truly was riveted by the charming cast, original premise and irresistible magic tricks for the majority of the flick, only to discover the script had little up its sleeve with its big ultimate twist. ![]() Three years ago, “Now You See Me” pulled a rabbit out of its hat to become a surprise hit - made for just $75 million but grossing $352 million worldwide - as it introduced a group of Robin Hood magicians who pulled off elaborate bank heists and gave the money to their live TV audience. WASHINGTON - Hollywood’s Horsemen are back, but how about the magic? Business & Finance Click to expand menu.
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