NOW YOU SEE ME 2 (2016)

Summary:

Eighteen months after outsmarting the FBI and winning the public's adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic, the Four Horsemen – J. Daniel Atlas, Merritt McKinney, Jack Wilder, and new recruit Lula May – find themselves in hiding, awaiting instructions from the mysterious magical society known as The Eye. Their comeback performance, aimed at exposing a corrupt tech mogul, goes awry when they are exposed and subsequently kidnapped, finding themselves transported to Macau, China.

Forced by a young tech prodigy, Walter Mabry, to steal a revolutionary data-mining device, the Horsemen must pull off their most impossible heist yet while navigating a dangerous game of cat and mouse. As their mentor, FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes, desperately tries to locate them, the team uncovers a deeper conspiracy involving old adversaries and new enemies, ultimately leading to a spectacular showdown in London where they aim to clear their names, expose their tormentors, and finally reveal the true nature of The Eye.

Keywords: Now You See Me 2, 2016, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Magic, Heist, Thriller, Action, Illusion.

Plot:

The film opens eighteen months after the events of the first movie, with the Four Horsemen – J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) – in hiding, awaiting their next assignment from the elusive magical society, The Eye. FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo), secretly the fifth Horseman and the son of deceased magician Lionel Shrike, continues to cover their tracks. They are introduced to their newest member, Lula May (Lizzy Caplan), a quirky and macabre illusionist. Their new mission is to expose Owen Case, a corrupt tech CEO whose new phone operating system covertly steals users' data. During their elaborate comeback performance at Case's product launch in New York City, which involves shutting down all screens in the city, their operation is interrupted by an unknown entity. Their identities are compromised, and Dylan is nearly apprehended by the FBI, forcing him to feign incompetence. The Horsemen are then exposed to the world, branded as criminals, and forced to flee.

As they attempt to escape through a ventilation shaft, they are ambushed and kidnapped, waking up in a private jet. They find themselves in Macau, China, where they are confronted by Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe), a prodigy tech billionaire who faked his own death. Mabry reveals that he orchestrated their exposure and kidnapping. He blackmails them into stealing "The Stick," a revolutionary data-mining chip developed by Case, which has the power to decrypt any computer system in the world. Mabry, who was previously swindled by Case, wants the chip to regain control of his company. He threatens to expose Dylan's secret identity as a Horseman if they refuse. The Horsemen are left with no choice but to comply. While in Macau, they seek help from a magic shop owner, Bu Bu, and his grandfather, Li, who coincidentally supplied magic props to Dylan's father years ago, and recognize the Horsemen's unique talent.

The Horsemen devise a plan to infiltrate the highly secured facility where The Stick is stored. Their heist involves an intricate display of sleight of hand, misdirection, and teamwork. Jack Wilder uses his card-throwing skills to disable security cameras, while Lula creates a diversion. Atlas uses his quick hands to swap the chip, passing it from one Horseman to another through an elaborate series of concealed movements and body language, all while being monitored by security. They successfully acquire the chip, but their victory is short-lived. Upon delivering the chip to Mabry, he reveals that it's a decoy. He had tracked the real chip to the Horsemen's hideout in Macau and already possesses it. Mabry explains that his true intention was to sell the chip to the highest bidder, and he reveals his connection to Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine), the disgraced billionaire whom the Horsemen exposed in the previous film, who is also Mabry's father. Tressler appears, seeking revenge on the Horsemen and Dylan, who he knows is working with them.

Meanwhile, Dylan, who has been desperately searching for the Horsemen, tracks them to Macau. He confronts Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), currently imprisoned, seeking information. Bradley, knowing more than he lets on, provides cryptic clues, hinting at Mabry's involvement and Tressler's revenge. Dylan manages to find the Horsemen just as they are about to be captured by Mabry's men. A frantic chase ensues, during which Dylan and Mabry's men fight on a bridge. Dylan seemingly falls into the river, prompting the Horsemen to believe he is dead. Distraught but determined, the Horsemen decide to take matters into their own hands. They realize their only option is to expose Mabry and Tressler to the world during a grand magic show, using their skills to turn the tables on their tormentors.

The Horsemen travel to London, where Mabry and Tressler plan to unveil their new technology at a prestigious event. They begin to plant seeds of their next illusion, subtly manipulating events and people to set the stage for their grand reveal. Their plan involves taking over the digital screens across London and exposing Mabry and Tressler's crimes during their own product launch. As the event unfolds, the Horsemen, with the help of a seemingly resurrected Dylan, execute a spectacular illusion. They appear to be performing the ultimate disappearing act, only to reappear in various locations across London, manipulating the digital billboards to broadcast Mabry's confessions and Tressler's complicity. They reveal that the "Stick" Mabry acquired was a fake, and the real one was always in their possession, meticulously swapped during the Macau heist. The real chip, which contains incriminating data about Mabry and Tressler, is then revealed and handed over to the authorities.

In a climactic twist, Dylan reveals his identity as a Horseman to the public, sacrificing his career and freedom to protect the others. However, it's all part of the grand illusion. The "FBI agents" who apprehend Dylan are actually part of The Eye. The Horsemen, along with Dylan, are taken to a ship on the River Thames, where they are confronted by Thaddeus Bradley. Bradley reveals that he is not Mabry's accomplice but a high-ranking member of The Eye. He explains that he had been testing Dylan and the Horsemen all along, guiding them indirectly through their challenges. He reveals that Dylan's father, Lionel Shrike, was his partner and a respected member of The Eye. Bradley's imprisonment was a ruse to allow him to manipulate events from within. He then leads the Horsemen to a secret, hidden library, which serves as the true headquarters of The Eye. Inside, they find a vault containing the secrets of magic and meet the mysterious leaders of the ancient society, finally becoming fully initiated members of The Eye, ready for their next adventure.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas
• Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney / Chase McKinney
• Dave Franco as Jack Wilder
• Lizzy Caplan as Lula May
• Daniel Radcliffe as Walter Mabry
• Mark Ruffalo as Dylan Rhodes
• Michael Caine as Arthur Tressler
• Morgan Freeman as Thaddeus Bradley

Crew:

• Director: Jon M. Chu
• Screenplay: Ed Solomon
• Story: Ed Solomon, Pete Chiarelli
• Producers: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Bobby Cohen
• Cinematography: Peter Deming
• Music: Brian Tyler

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: June 10, 2016 (USA)
• Language: English
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Thriller
• Running Time: 129 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for People's Choice Award for Favorite Thriller Movie