NOW YOU SEE ME 2

US, 2016, 129 minutes, Colour.
Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzie Kaplan, Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Saana Lathan.
Directed by Jon M. Chu.

First, a friendly piece of initial advice: in order to appreciate who’s who, what’s what, why’s why, it might be best to see the first film again or at least read a synopsis. You may well be wondering as the film goes on just why various situations are occurring and where people stand.

The old team is back again with the addition of Lizzie Kaplan (instead of Isla Fisher), no blushing violet, joining Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson as The Horseman, the team of famous magicians from the first film, along with Mark Ruffalo as the FBI connection.

If you want to see some magic and sleight of hand, then there are quite some stunts in this film, especially concerning the robbery of a chip from a giant computer and the skills in which each of The Horsemen conceal the card from security and forget from one to the other. And there is a big, big climax set in London on New Year’s Eve, some street smarts as well as a dramatic combination which has us asking how could this possibly be – but, as in the first film, as well as early in the film, some rational explanations are given.

The Horseman have been out of action for some time but make a stand at the New York promotion event, but then disappear down a chute – to Macau! Though the first part of the film takes place in rather exotic settings, hotels, casinos, local markets, and the site of the giant computer in Macau, for various reasons which emerge during the film and relate to Daniel Radcliffe as a complacently sinister little villain and to Michael Caine, everybody goes to London for the finale. And that includes the FBI agents who are still in pursuit.

If you like the cast, you will be very pleased, Michael Caine being coldly arrogant this time, Morgan Freeman becoming more and more benign as the film goes on and, for the price of one ticket, we get to Woody Harrelson’s, a twin brother, with an abundant wig, with a manic smile and villainy.

While there was plenty of novelty and surprise in the initial film, the sequel still has all the ingredients for a friendly audience to enjoy itself.

1. An entertainment with magic, illusions, and the story of the illusionists?

2. The first film, the introduction of The Horsemen, their characters, their skills, exercise? Dylan and his role? The FBI? Crimes, vengeance, prison?

3. New York City, the FBI offices, city locations, the big show? The transition to Macao, the shop, the markets, hotels, the science plant? The transition to London, New Years Eve? The city lit? The Thames? Light in the darkness? The musical score?

4. The gathering of the group, the introduction of Lula, strong personality, her skills, exercising them? Jack and the scenes with flicking the cards? Mc Kinney, not good at cards, his skill in hypnosis? Lula and her past, the hats and rabbits? Her ambitions? Atlas, in the subterranean room, hearing the voice? The mystery of The Eye?

5. Focus on Dylan, 1984, his father as an escape artist, with Bradley, the watch for his son, his son waiting, his death? The blame? Bradley in prison? The switching of the plot to more sympathy for him?

6. The gathering, the performance, Owen, his ego, hypnotising, giving him his speech at the show? The crowds applauding? The power going off, the, the escape of The Horseman, escaping down the chute? Arriving in Macao?

7. The shop, magic, the proprietor, her son? The visits? The gear, illusions, Dylan’s father’s safe? Bradley, his disappearing? Dylan put in the safe, into the water, the watch, finding the switch, rescued by Atlas?

8. Walter, his gathering The Horseman? His explanation of the illusion and their arriving in Macao, drugged, transported? His being the son of Arthur Tressler? His arrogance, the task, getting the chip, his motivations, power and money?

9. Gathering at the site, each with their different function, the site manager, the security checks, Jack and the destruction and his retrieving the chip, the four flicking the chip to one another during the searches? Getting out?

10. The focus on the FBI, the agents, the suspicions of Dylan and his connection with The Horseman? The doors locked and the show? Confronting Dylan, dismissing him? His going to Macao?

11. Dylan, visiting Bradley in prison, his comforts, the escape together, going to Macao? The sleight of hand, the motivations? His presence in the shop, the safe, his disappearing act?

12. Tressler, his wealth, the insurance issue about Dylan’s father, the losses, prison, his son, the plan?

13. Mc Kinney, his twin, manic laughter, his role with the billionaires? The stories of past rivalry and their growing up? His role in the finale, hypnotised?

14. In the shop, the fight, Dylan, the chip, slipping it to Atlas and pushing in out the door?

15. Everybody in London, the plan? Walter and Tressler, Bradley, the FBI?

16. New Years Eve, the lights, the distractions in the street, Jack and the cards and the tricks, Lula and the birds, Mc Kinney and his brother, Atlas and the encounter with twin? Executing the plan?

17. The group being captured, put on the plane, the confrontation, the issue of the chip, the group being thrown out of the plane, appearing at the windows? Landing on the Thames, the television coverage, the expose of the villains, the explanation of the illusions? The crowds cheering?

18. Bradley, the true story of his relationship with Dylan’s father, their being friends? His sense of responsibility and guilt? Revealing this to Dylan when he was ready?

19. And the audience ready for more Now You See Me?