By McKenna Wierman, NDG Special Contributor
If you ask anyone who has seen the first “Now You See Me,” featuring a star-studded cast including Jesse Eisenberg (J. Daniel Atlas), Mark Ruffalo (Dylan Rhodes) Morgan Freeman (Thaddeus Bradley) and Woody Harlson to name a few, you’ll probably start to notice it was kind of hit-or-miss.
Some were captivated by the smart-magic, others thought things started out okay, but got so over-complicated and twisted, that by the end, it was nothing but a mess.
Normally when the first movie merits this kind of mixed reaction, one would expect a pretty sub-par if not terrible sequel. But there, you’d be mistaken.
“Now You See Me 2” was smart, funny and best of all theatrical. While it’s by no means the blockbuster of the summer, it’s a movie you could take your younger kids, little brother or second date to without freaking out too much about it.
Sure, you might get a little lost in the plot if you haven’t seen the first movie, and things get a little cheesey at the end, but all in all Now You See Me 2 accomplishes what everyone seems to forget movies are supposed to do; it politely deceives, delivers that wicked humor and movie magic we all love, and most importantly, it entertains.
It’s also worth noting that a few more silver-screen champions join the “Now You See Me” cast, including Daniel Radcliff playing a deliciously evil and hilariously sociopathic villain, and the return of Lizzy Caplan as the quirky new addition to the notorious Horsemen.
At times, the plot feels a bit predictable, and so it might feel a little boring, but if you are willing to actively participate in watching “Now You See Me 2,” you will also remember that you’re not always seeing what you think you are. If that concept in and of itself seems stupid or unnecessarily overcomplicated for you, then maybe this movie isn’t the right fit. But if you’re looking to go to the movies to relax, sit back and enjoy yourself, “Now You See Me 2” should be top on your list of movies to check out this month.
