Smug. Assuming you can stomach this … and I’m sure some of you cannot, “smug” is the word that immediately come to mind when assessing this film or (and especially) its characters. This is the kind of film that makes smug a verb. Jesse Eisenberg is already among the most humility-challenged actors in the biz, and this script, this film, which is essentially a seminar on one-upsmanship, brings out the worst in any actor with a tendency towards self-importance. Quite frankly, I find it hard to believe that Angelina Jolie wasn’t involved; I’m sure she was asked.
For those who have missed the Now You See Me genre, these films are about a quartet of social justice magicians known as “The Horseman”: Atlas (Eisenberg), Jack Wilder (Dave Franco), Merritt (Woody Harrelson) and a GIRL! [Henley (Isla Fisher) in Now You See Me, Lula (Lizzy Caplan) in Now You See Me 2. BOTH are back for this film.] There’s also guiding force magician Thaddeus (Morgan Freeman).
Now I hear you saying, “But Jim, that isn’t enough magicians to satisfy me. Aren’t there any other magicians in this film?”
THERE ARE!
And they’re young, so we can grind this franchise directly into the ground for the next generation.
In fact, the film begins with the antics of new smugmeisters Bosco (Dominic Sessa), June (Ariana Greenblatt), and Charlie (Justice Smith). These three have staged a faux Horsemen reunion on a stage where it’s quite clear what we’re watching are projections. (If I can tell on a movie screen, I can only imagine what is was like to be in that crowd.) Well, hey, suspension of disbelief and all. After thieving from a cryptocurrency bro and yelling, “COPS!” the trio retreat to their lair where they are visited by the ghost of tricksmas past. Atlas, in smugging smug smuggery, invites the trio to steal “The Heart,” the world’s largest diamond, currently owned by professional mean person Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike).
Rosamund Pike tries on a South African accent for fun in this film. She’s quite good. Nobody is gonna mistake her for Meryl Streep quite yet, but I have a healthy respect for Pike’s career and her villainy here was not a mishit.
The Now You See Me franchise is all about magicians magicianing. Are any of these nine genuine magicians? I dunno and -quite frankly- don’t really care. The idea is you’re going to see magic on screen that -presumably- is both plausible and would make suckers of normies. I think both of these premises are on the shaky side here reality-wise, but you don’t film a movie with more than one script. And, let’s face it, these films are fun. As a kid, I was taken with The Sting and I’ve secretly wanted every movie I’ve seen since to be part Sting. This franchise probably comes the closest.
This film does do a great job of establishing the regulars, producing a villain, introducing the kids, and letting everybody have a moment. Fitting that “The Horsemen” are all about social justice because this film is equal parts socialism in both message and distribution of clever. I mean, if you’ve got nine magicians in your screenplay, you really do have to distribute the smug fairly.
As the conclusion neared, I couldn’t help thinking there’s something truly surreal about “redistributing wealth” by dumping it at a random crowd of tourists in Dubai. Hmmmm, how shall I put this? If you are in Dubai, odds are 
close to 100% that you do not have money issues – or at least not the kind that keep you from food, health, or housing. Random equity justice in Dubai is -to me- like giving away sex toys at an Eyes Wide Shut gathering. “No thanks. Already got mine.”
Lord help me, I loathe the smug, but I love these films. Do I want more? I dunno. Maybe. I sure as Hell would rather see another Now You See Me than another Fast & Furious.
Editors note on the loves of Dave Franco: For whatever reason – the absence of brother James, the aging of Josh Duhamel, the death of Robert Redford, whatever … Dave Franco is now the alpha male for screen romance. In 2025, Dave Franco characters have 1) Rekindled romance with Lizzy Caplan (Now You See Me: Now You Don’t), wooed Allison Williams within weeks of becoming a widower (Regretting You), and gotten his dick literally stuck in Alison Brie (Together). Buddy, if you ever do get your dick free, please use it wisely.
There once was a rogue magician
Who made social justice his mission
The illusions were fine
Yet short of divine
For his morals were exceeded by ambition
Rated PG-13, 113 Minutes
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Writer: Michael Lesslie, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese
Genre: “Well that was kinda clever, I guess”
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Jesse Eisenberg believers
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: “Good Lord, can somebody please turn down the smug”
