Now You See Me: Now You Don't - Angry Movie Review

Quick Overview

The reviewers strongly dislike the sequel, "Now You Don't," criticizing its overly complicated plot, weak character motivations (especially the villain's), excessive reliance on CGI, and poor dialogue, ultimately giving the film a 5/10 rating, feeling it failed to match the charm and cleverness of the original.

Key Points: The reviewers assign 'Now You See Me 2' (referred to as 'Part Three' or 'Now You Don't') a final score of 5/10, indicating significant disappointment. The main criticism centers on the convoluted plot, which the reviewers found overly complicated and nonsensical, especially regarding the villains' motivations. The characterization is heavily criticized; the new crew members are deemed unlikable, and the villain's motivations (stealing money/diamonds) are considered shallow and cliché. The review highlights the overuse of CGI, specifically mentioning the scene where the Four Horsemen escape by making a giant card structure appear to be made of water, which they considered poorly executed. The character of Merritt McKinney (played by Woody Harrelson) is singled out for being overly dramatic and his character arc being ruined by the end. A key plot point criticized was the unnecessary inclusion of the helicopter chase scene and the contrived reason for the villain getting away with the diamond. The reviewers express that the sequel lacked the simple, clever magic tricks and emotional investment of the first film, feeling like an unnecessary continuation.

Context: This video features a reaction and review by members of the 'Angry Joe Show' (AJSA) regarding the film 'Now You See Me 2,' which they frequently refer to as 'Part Three' or 'Now You Don't.' The reviewers analyze the plot structure, character development, and the effectiveness of the magic sequences in the sequel compared to the original film.

Detailed Analysis

The reviewers deliver a largely negative review of the film, awarding it a 5/10. They found the plot of the sequel significantly more convoluted and less satisfying than the original. A major point of contention was the characters, particularly the new crew members, whom they found unlikable and shallow. The villain's motivations—stealing money and diamonds—were seen as too simplistic and greedy compared to the first film's focus on exposing corruption. The reviewers repeatedly mock the logic of the plot, such as why the villains would use such elaborate, expensive methods when simpler ones (like shooting someone) would suffice, and they heavily criticize the excessive and often unconvincing CGI, citing the scene where the floor opens up and the subsequent helicopter chase as examples of poor execution. They contrast this with the first film, which they felt had better pacing and more believable magic. The reviewer expresses particular disdain for the character of Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) and his supposed redemption arc, calling his character arc 'stupid.' Overall, they conclude the sequel felt like an unnecessary, poorly written addition to the franchise.