Now You See Me 2 Review

Just when you thought the first film had tricked you enough, the second act goes even further.

Set 18 months after its predecessor, Now You See Me 2 marks the return of the four Horsemen, however this time the roster has been altered. Replacing Henley is Lula, an escape artist and all-round magician. After being in hiding since their big performance and elaborate mission, they come out of the shadows, only to be tricked in the meantime, falling smoothly into the lap of Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter, The Woman in Black), a millionaire in hiding with plenty of henchman that even they couldn’t escape from. Despite his money and influence, he desires a ‘control all computers’ chip named The Stick, of which the Horsemen are forced to steal. In the hardest heist imaginable, and when all is not quite as it seems, the Horseman are put to the ultimate test.

Now, for a film all about magic,  it’s ironic that they were not only able to make one Horseman disappear, but to make a different one appear in her place, now that’s a trick!  For those unobservant audience members who didn’t notice the lack of Henley (Isla Fisher) within the trailer (those of whom would be incredibly easy to fool!), that would be due to the fact the she is not in the film at all. Whilst the narrative gives its own reasons for Henley’s absence from the act, actual reasons surround the fact that Fisher was pregnant during the time of filming. Because of this they decided to avoid the dangerous road that some films have taken – recasting a character in the hopes that no-one would notice – and instead wrote her out of the film, bringing in the new female Horseman, Lula. Portrayed by Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield, The Interview), Lula is capable of a variety of magic skills, specialising in escaping. There is significant difference between Henley and Lula, and what they bring to the group. In the first film, Henley was particularly confident and new her position among the other Horsemen, as well as having credited abilities and fame. Lula on the other hand, is looked down upon by the other Horsemen due to her very low status and late arrival to the group.  She is far less smooth than Henley, but this is due to her geeky and clumsy personality. Whilst this may sound like a trade-down, it’s actually very well thought through as she is very different to the original female Horseman, instead of just being a like-for-like swap.

With the rest of the roster returning, they’ve all decided to try and amount to something for their next outing.  For J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg – Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zombieland), not only gains a haircut, but takes his control freak persona to the next level by trying to become the leader of the Horsemen, instead of Dylan. Jack Wilder (Dave Franco – 21 Jump Street, Bad Neighbours) decides to try to learn a little mentalism, whilst Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson – No Country for Old Men, Zombieland) takes up a bit of Cardistry, learning to throw cards.  Dylan (Mark Ruffalo – Spotlight, Avengers Assemble) has a significantly more blatant, but by no-means less complicated role as the mentor and leader for the Horsemen, whilst still hiding from within the FBI to stay one step ahead. However, when things don’t go to plan, he is once again left chasing those who are one step ahead, leaving him two steps behind. Despite the new introduction, the group chemistry is still fantastic from the actors. Even when the characters aren’t quite in agreement, they always manage to bounce off of each other. All actors are fantastic in their roles and bring out the best possible from their characters and never surrender the act, always keeping you engaged in their performance.

Returning to oppose the Horseman, and attempt to bury them for good are Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman – The Shawshank Redemption, Seven) and Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine – The Prestige, The Dark Knight).  Ending the first film on a bad note with Dylan, Bradley sits in his cell awaiting his opportunity to seek revenge. Upon noticing the chance, Bradley uses the same wit and wisdom to make his presence known to them. As always, Freeman does a perfect job and consistently brings a distinctive level of style to the screen. In a sinister flip to that, Michael Caine maintains Tressler’s bitter and ‘rich-arrogance’ persona, still holding a grudge for the stunt they pulled previously. Once again, as a veteran actor he has an established ability and brings his own level of class to the feature.  Joining this side of the battle is Daniel Radcliffe’s ‘Walter Mabry’, a rich, egotistical Englishman that is used to getting what he wants. As a result of this he fits in better than you may think.

Alongside the danger and tension that is presented to the protagonists, it still maintains its light-hearted and comedic style that sets the series apart from the likes of The Prestige and The Illusionist. Although it can be a bit slow to start with a few hit-and-miss jokes, once the film sets its own pace it delivers hit after hit after hit, living up to its own name and standards.

The main concern people had with this film was the tricks used within it. In the first film, all of the tricks were actually capable of being down and generally involved sleight of hand or misdirection. However the main complaint was that the sequel looked as though it would consist mainly of CGI magic that cannot actually be done (such as the rain trick from the trailer). Well I can gladly say that it is not true. Not only is the rain trick awesome and replicable, but they also tell you how to do it. Also, if the first film didn’t make you want to pick up a deck of cards and become the next David Copperfield, then this one should seal the deal.

I was personally concerned with the ability to keep up with the first film. Upon watching the original, you don’t know what to expect, and thus it hits you at every twist and turn, playing you more than you are willing to let it. Because of this, as the film closes you are held in disbelief, standing back for a moment saying “What the hell just happened?”, instantly making it a classic. This posed as a self-made threat for a sequel, causing the audience to be sat there waiting for the twists and reveals. Whilst this is so, it does an incredible job of also tricking you when you’re not quite expecting it. This was a pleasant surprise as I was not anticipating any surprises or unexpected twists, and whilst I guessed right a few times, the times I was wrong felt like an entertaining sucker punch to my spectating-ego, taking the film in directions I hadn’t considered.

Once again, Brian Tyler delivers and equally mesmerising score that follows the same style as that of the first, piling onto the epic pace and atmosphere to help in keeping you on the very edge of your seat.

Overall, whilst the film does not follow an original concept, it takes heist films to a new level and will have you gripped until the conclusion. Any magician or fan of magic would be a fool to miss it.

 

8.5/10

Watch the trailer here:

 

 

London Has Fallen Review

 

When London Has Fallen was announced, I, as did many, reacted with initial thought that it was automatically going to be a desperate sequel doomed to fail and reek of desperation. However, it proved not to be the case.

Based an unspecified amount of time after Olympus Has Fallen, after the sudden death of the British Prime Minister, all of the world leaders gather to attend his funeral in the centre of London. Naturally and understandably after previous events, US President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) decides to take Mike Banning (Channing Tatum), who is the Secret Service agent currently serving as head of the Presidential Protection Division. Whilst in London, on the day of the funeral a terrorist organisation decide to unleash havoc onto the streets of London, targeting the worlds leaders in an attempt to exact revenge for a past mission.

For a die-hard-esque action-flick it actually challenges a current and very real concern of terrorist takeover and attack on the free world. Although idea that a plot to take out the world leaders in one place at the same time sounds a bit exaggerated, the sad truth is that the modern world isn’t too far from that exact event. With groups such as ISIS at large, committing global crimes and plotting horrific murders, this exact problem is a potential reality waiting to happen.

The main problem with audiences nowadays is that they’re constantly looking for every film to the next biggest and best. They look for every plot hole or problem and use it as a reason to hate it. London Has Fallen doesn’t try to the best film, it doesn’t try to be the most original, it is simply an action romp that allows the audience to submit themselves to manly violence, guns, explosions and one-liners for 1hr 39mins .

Naturally, with Gerard Butler in the driver’s seat, there’s going to be cheesy yet brilliant quips, genius tactics and brutally dominating combat and fatalities. In the previous film, Banning (Butler) starts out as a disgraced Secret Service Agent and former presidential guard, until he is trapped inside the White House during a terrorist attack. Using his abilities and skills he manages to save himself, multiple civilians and the President. As a result of this he is reinstated as presidential guard and close personal friend. Now, following through to the attack on London, Banning uses those same skills, tactics and quips to defend President Asher.

However, a significant difference this time is that with the open world setting of London, this time President Asher is along for the ride, providing more than just a hostage role, he even decides to get involved in some of the action. Whilst to some this makes the concept seem even more ridiculous, it actually benefits the film greatly and adds another dimension to Banning’s protective regime.  It’s also nice to see Eckhart play a bigger part than just the ‘damsel in distress’ and start fighting back, tired of the enemies sh*t.

As a pattern in this film, another clever but not exactly original aspect to this film is the set pieces within it. Sure to frustrate those who refuse to accept that films can’t always be 100% original, it borrows themes and climactic moments, delivering them in impressive manners and at its own pace.

My main issue with the film was its approach to CGI. At best it was average and acceptable for an action film that mainly uses muzzle flashes and grenade explosions as its main form of effect. However, at certain points the CGI appears half done and as if they forgot to go back and finish it off. Fortunately those moments do not last too long and do not detract too much from the film itself.

For those who like to have the film compared to previous films, it is best described as a cross between The Purge: Anarchy and No Escape.  You’re probably questioning what the significant difference in style is between those two films, however without surrendering the some key plot points I am unable to clarify them. On the bright side, they will be obvious when you watch the film.  Sharing similar motifs and tension building techniques, it continues to keep you on the edge of your seat.  It also shares a controversial atmosphere that some would describe as ‘xenophobic’. Although most would describe it as unnecessarily targeting demographics, it actually uses stereotypes and a committed narrative angle to maintain the terrorism, without surrendering the plot for the sakes of some over-sensitive viewers.

All in all it is not the best film, nor is it the worst. What it is, is an action escape that deals with a real life issue in a die-hard manner, the way that every man wishes that he could take down the enemy. An enjoyably aggressive feast.

7/10