As a magician and long-time magic fan, I felt I had to see this film. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the first film years ago, and having not seen the second film, I wondered whether I would be able to follow the story without fully knowing the history.
The film’s heavy promotion certainly did its job, tempting me to see it about a week after release. Some cinemas even went the extra mile by bringing in magicians to perform close-up tricks and introduce the film during opening weekend.
In truth, despite the big budget, the film landed more or less as I expected. It’s a little silly, with an average story, decent enough performances, and very little realism. It also feels like a soft reboot, clearly aiming to introduce three new Horsemen (the band of magicians) into the franchise.
That said, it’s entertaining in its own way. The screening I attended had a surprisingly strong audience turnout, and the film is fun if you’re willing to overlook how far-fetched it becomes. Much of the “magic” relies on movie trickery rather than anything resembling real-world techniques.
Rosamund Pike is easily the standout, superb throughout, with a great performance and South African accent. She really shines and is the main reason for viewing the film.
Overall, reviews seem to be a mixed bag generally about the film, which aligns with my own experience. Fun, but ultimately pretty average.
Film Rating
3.5 out of 5
Strength of story/plot
2.5 out of 5
Acting/Performances
3 out of 5
Overall
3 out of 5
Certification: 15
Running time: 133 minutes
Screening type: 2D
