Film Name: 惊天魔盗团3 / Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
Just got back from seeing the new release “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.” Not exactly disappointed, but I wouldn’t say I loved it either. Here are my quick thoughts.
As a sequel released years after the original, the film brings back all five “Four Horsemen” from the first two movies. If you’re going in for nostalgia or fondness for the earlier films, it delivers on that basic level. It also introduces three newcomers, injecting some freshness. Even if you haven’t seen the originals or have forgotten the past stories, you won’t be lost.
But this attempt to “cater to both old and new” brings a significant problem: too many characters, diluted screen time, and a narrative that feels bloated and superficial throughout (if not for the somewhat competent story design, it would have fallen apart before the halfway point).
Honestly, the narrative scope centered on the Four Horsemen in the first “Now You See Me” was already pushing the limits for a commercial film. This sequel’s insistence on “leaving no one behind”—balancing veterans with newcomers and mentoring new talent—inevitably creates a situation where it can’t effectively serve both ends.
Moreover, the original Four Horsemen each had distinct specialties and roles: Daniel excelled at oratory and close-up magic, Henriette mastered escapes and planning, Merritt specialized in hypnosis, and Jack was skilled in pickpocketing and parkour (while the second generation’s Lulu excelled in disguise and deception)… Consequently, creating distinct characteristics for the new generation becomes even more challenging. Charlie excels at magic creation, Bosco at performance, and Joan at theft and lockpicking.
Precisely because the three youngsters’ personas overlap somewhat with the original Knights, the film features dedicated scenes pitting them against each other. For instance, Jack and Joanne compete in lock-picking and escape acts, Daniel and Bosco engage in a “leadership charisma” contest, and Henri encourages Charlie to step bravely into the spotlight.
Another issue with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t quickly surfaces: the lack of sufficiently grand, spectacular magic spectacles means the smaller tricks need to shine even brighter.
The most thrilling sequence for me was the “eye-opening” experience at the French castle.
That scene not only showcased classic magic tricks and props but also allowed each character to reveal their personality and abilities while searching for clues. Later, they each performed a small magic trick, building the atmosphere to a mini-climax—a dazzling and delightfully entertaining moment.
However, these tricks serve only to charm, not to truly impress. In contrast, the magic designs for the film’s “final showdown” feel overly simplistic. Whether it’s the five veteran magicians’ escape from glass tanks or the three newcomers’ fraud performance, neither demonstrates complexity or ingenuity. At least for me, it felt underwhelming and unremarkable.
So my verdict on the feast that is Now You See Me: Now You Don’t? It’s a banquet with endless variety and a full menu—visually lavish yet somewhat hollow. The sides taste better than the main course, but no amount of condiments or snacks will truly fill you up.
It’s a shame about Pei Chunhua’s performance as the villain Veronica. While this is a commercial film that doesn’t demand too much intellectual effort, it still has a certain tone and presence. Yet the final magic scam was so sloppy that Veronica’s credibility plummeted, leaving me feeling awkward and like it was child’s play…
Fortunately, the film’s story remains reasonably coherent, free of glaring plot holes or flaws. It holds up to scrutiny upon rewatching, which is a definite plus.
All in all, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” is watchable and not unpleasant, but it delivers less entertainment value than anticipated. It’s fair to say it’s neither outstanding nor disappointing.
Please specify：Anime Phone Cases » Now You See Me: Now You Don’t 2025 Film Review: Bustling yet bloated