As the lights dimmed and the final ad faded, the theater grew silent, thick with the scent of buttered popcorn and the lingering sweetness of candy, setting the stage for the Four Horsemen’s next illusory act. The eager crowd sat in anticipation for the long-awaited third installment of Now You See Me. After nearly a decade, the franchise reappears on the big screen with a familiar mix of clever tricks, comedy, illusion and the promise of another impossible heist.

The film delivers its fan-favorite element, an amazing plot-twist. Even when certain scenes seem predictable, the story still manages to be surprising. The biggest plot twist, the villain being completely under our noses, was delivered so perfectly that it caught everyone off guard.

Still, several parts of the film felt rushed, especially early on when a character suddenly dies. Instead of serving as a dramatic turning point like the movie intended, it didn’t have enough emotional buildup even after watching the prequels and it left the viewers confused as the death lacked any significance in the story.

The film also struggles with its expanded cast. Unlike previous movies, which spent their time fleshing out and developing each Horseman and giving them clear motivations, this movie introduces three new rising magicians who had basic identities. Bosco felt like a less developed Atlas, a role that the series already had executed well and didn’t need a younger replica of. June was shown as a stereotypical rebellious teenager, who again tries to mirror a well-executed character, Jack in charisma, picklocking and pickpocketing but leaves out magic.

Despite these flaws, my sister and I enjoyed the movie. The plot was exciting, the twists delivered, and the film still held onto enough of their signature magic to make the experience worthwhile. Overall, I would rate the film three stars out of five.

★★★