By: S. Manai
The trequel we have all been waiting for, but have we been disillusioned by CGI and familiar faces?
So, did the Four Horsemen really need to come out of retirement?
Nearly ten years since “Now You See Me 2,” the Four Horsemen make their comeback in a long-awaited third installment directed by Ruben Fleischer, known for his work on “Zombieland” and “Venom.” The film, which hit theaters on November 14, reunites fans with the main front runners played by Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, and Isla Fisher, while introducing a new lineup of young illusionists into the story. With the return of Henley Reeves and Thaddeus Bradley, audiences are once again drawn into the enticing, secretive yet not-so-secret world of grandeur, magic, and high-stakes missions.
Fleischer, in his signature auteur style, features large-scale spectacle, combining CGI, action scenes, and a bit of campy humor. However, this visual extravaganza takes over the character dynamics that initially made the Horsemen so compelling. The heavy reliance on CGI transformed impressive stunts into superhero-esque feats, which may leave fans who have been so eagerly waiting for this addition to the franchise longing for the more authentic sleight-of-hand magic that defined the first two films.
Nevertheless, the Horsemen’s well-known anti-capitalist agenda remained a focal point of the story. Their trademark “eat-the-rich” mantra drives their antics as they traverse from Bushwick to Abu Dhabi, targeting a corrupt diamond empire heiress, played by Rosamund Pike. In many ways, the Horsemen portray themselves as modern-day Robin Hood figures taking from the wealthy elite and redistributing power through grand magic spectacles.
Through the twists, turns, and…secret passageways, the Horsemen, along with the new Gen-Z team of illusionists, work together to uncover the truth and deliver justice in their signature dramatic style. But, in the greatest twist of them all, the master illusionists aren’t the ones holding the deck, and sometimes even the magician can be surprised by the reveal.
Now 4 their next trick…look closely, because the closer you think you are, the less you’ll actually see.
great review, I wonder who wrote it?