Now You See Me, Now You Don't - Review

Synopsis:

The Horsemen return for another globe-trotting illusion adventure in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. When a new tech mogul threatens to expose the secrets of the Eye, the team must pull off their most ambitious heist yet — one that blurs the line between reality, illusion, and digital deception.

Review:

I have to confess something: I didn’t really enjoy the original Now You See Me.

Released back in 2013, the Louis Leterrier-directed magician caper took a capable cast of A-listers and character actors – including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine – and threw them into a heist flick that was as ambitious as it was self-impressed. For me, the whole thing was just a bit too “much” – a bit too glossy, a bit too sensational, a bit too pleased with its own cleverness. However, despite my own personal quibbles with movie, I completely understood why it did work for so many, to the tune of actually becoming one of that year’s sleeper hits, raking in an impressive $351 million against a “meager” $75 million budget. I never bothered seeing the 2016 sequel, and when news broke that Lionsgate planned to revive the franchise with not just one, but two sequels (Now You See Me, You Don’t being the first, with film #4 tentatively scheduled for 2028), I basically punched my “thanks but no thanks” card and went on with my life.

That is, until my buddy voluntold me to go with him opening weekend, and refused to take no for an answer.

And you know what? I can’t believe I’m typing this, but I’m actually glad he did – because Now You See Me, Now You Don’t, while maybe not a GREAT movie, is a more-than-entertaining one, to the point that I found myself enjoying it more than some this year’s other, more prominent sequels. Most of my original issues with the 2013 film are still here – the storytelling is messy, the tone is all over the place, and the plot tends to collapse the second you start pulling too hard on its narrative threads – but I don’t know. Maybe I’m just softer now, or simply less annoyed by goofy excess than I was 12 years ago, but none of those issues actively detracted from my enjoyment this time around; in fact, despite the film’s innate absurdity, I actually found its “everything and the kitchen sink” approach to its own ridiculous premise to be semi-endearing. Plus, let’s face it: there’s something, on a pure popcorn-movie level, about seeing a cast of overqualified actors having a good time together onscreen that’s actively hard to deny. And sometimes, a little bit of dumb escapist spectacle goes a long way (especially during self-serious Oscar season).

So yeah: I didn’t hate this, and in fact, I kinda-sorta-liked it more than I ever thought I would. Credit to my friend for dragging me along. And credit to director Ruben Fleischer, who imbues the movie with a loose, playful energy that really benefits the film’s anything-goes aesthetic.

The best thing I can say about Now You See Me, Now You Don’t? I’ll actually be seeing the fourth film – or whatever it is they end up calling it – completely of my own volition.

Grade: B -

Spiritual Overview

One recurring idea throughout Now You See Me, Now You Don’t is that of “moral compromise”: when it comes to battling corruption, do the ends justify the means? Here (and in films past), the Horsemen will often bend the truth and manipulate perception, using magic to deceive for a “good” purpose (i.e., taking down the powerful, corrupt elite). They also commit no shortage of questionable acts, including breaking laws, weaponizing illusions, and invading privacy. It’s all played for fun, but it also raises a worthwhile tension for us as believers to consider: when it comes to the ways that we are called to confront and push back against injustice, what does the line look like between courageous obedience and outright compromising our integrity?

The Bible is crystal clear about how we should use our abilities and influence for good. Romans 3:8 states unambiguously that “we should not do evil that good may result.” Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:10 also states that we will be accountable for the things we’ve done, whether good or bad. As Christians, it can be tough to choose the “harder right,” especially when we feel that cutting a corner might get us to the final outcome faster, and the temptation to justify what’s wrong in the pursuit of accomplishing what’s right is nothing if not appealing. Yet we should remember that Scripture consistently calls us to trust God with the process and the results – walking in integrity even when it’s hard or it costs us something.

To be a follower of Jesus is to remember that faithfulness is itself part of our witness…and that obedience is always worth it.

What did you think about Now You See Me, Now You Don't? Did you find it as entertaining as I did? And on a deeper level - what corners are you most tempted to cut in your own life…and what might God be inviting you to do differently? Comment below.