Not quite a sequel anyone was clamoring for, Now You See Me 2 overcomes apprehensions exactly as its appealing predecessor did. Seriously, magic is still not cool, but this movie at least makes sure it is fun, which is more important. The Horsemen—Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco)—team up with a new female, Lula (Lizzy Kaplan, more than ably replacing the first movie’s token female, Isla Fisher), in order to take down more evil rich people played by Michael Caine and Daniel Radcliffe. 

Director Jon M. Chu (Step Up 2 and 3D and G.I. Joe: Retaliation; let’s be kind and forget Jem and the Holograms) uses his experience filming choreography, both dancing and action, to make the magic sequences pop. Still, this flick has plot holes that would collapse a less sturdy house of cards. This sequel could have been the entertaining equal of its antecedent had it been more intrigued by its own sleights of hand rather than in building up to some grand mysterious reveal about which few are curious—and which is saved for the inevitable third installment.