6.2 | / 10 |
| Users | 0.0 | |
| Reviewer | 3.0 | |
| Overall | 3.0 |
A diamond heist reunites retired Horsemen illusionists with new performers Greenblatt, Smith and Sessa as they target dangerous criminals.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith| Crime | Uncertain |
| Mystery | Uncertain |
| Thriller | Uncertain |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
| Movie | 3.0 | |
| Video | 5.0 | |
| Audio | 5.0 | |
| Extras | 3.0 | |
| Overall | 3.0 |
Rick and Morty: Season 4 featured a typically
manic episode called One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Morty which kind of hilariously deconstructed heist or caper films, this despite the fact
that Dan Harmon was on record as having had misgivings about centering an entire episode on a film genre he personally hates. One can only
imagine how Harmon might have reacted to Now You See Me, Now You Don't, the third installment in a series that arguably might have
been better off a single standalone entry, since each subsequent offering might be prime examples of the law of diminishing returns. The perhaps
ironically comedic thing about this situation is it seems evident that this newest edition is designed at least in part to "pass the torch to a new
generation" of illusionists, and in fact a fourth film has already been announced, for better or worse.
While this is in essence perfectly able to stand on its own without any real tether to the two previous films, for those wanting at least a bit context,
below are links to reviews of the first two outings:
Now You See Me Blu-ray review
Now You See Me 2 Blu-ray review


Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package.
Now You See Me, Now You Don't is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1.
The IMDb lists the Sony CineAlta Venice and a 4K DI as relevant data points. This is a really beautifully sharp and well detailed looking presentation
throughout, with some generally well woven practical and CGI effects woven into the mix at various points. Fine detail is convincing on all of the sets
and costumes, and textures on things like Morgan Freeman's topcoat or some the gowns Rosamund Pike wears is nicely precise looking. Speaking of
Freeman's topcoat, perhaps rather interestingly what might be called traditional visual "pop" can tend to be intermittent here, with the crimson tones of
that costuming being a notable example, and just one place where the HDR / Dolby Vision grades give some extra nuance. A lot of the early material
with Pike in particular tends to exploit neutral tones in the white to beige to tan arenas, though interestingly later in the third act backgrounds featuring
her character turn a more hellish orange, which also gains some nice HDR luster. There do seem to be a couple of quick establishing shots that may
have been sourced from stock or some kind of secondary footage, as they don't offer the same level of clarity and detail.

Now You See Me, Now You Don't gets a lot of audio mileage out of the Dolby Atmos track included on both the 4K and 1080 discs in this package. The opening quasi-arena scene is just the first of several great examples where both height and breadth are noticeable in the clamor of a large group. Some of the later set pieces, including the first vignette involving the (apparent) heist of the diamond also feature really generous use of the side and rear channels to immerse the listener both with regard to directional speaking but discrete channelization of ambient environmental effects. A really fun car race very late in the film also provides some enjoyable panning effects and nice rumbling LFE. Both occasional source cues and underscoring also help to populate the side and rear channels. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional subtitles in several languages are available.

Note: Both the 4K UHD and 1080 discs in this package sport the same slate of supplements.

The problem with a franchise like the Now You See Me films is they come with a preconceived template where the viewer knows going in nothing (or at least a lot) is not as it seems, and some characters may not even be whom they seem. That means that some of the ostensible twists here may be telegraphed somewhat broadly, but there's one potential nice surprise late in the film that may catch even inveterate twist guessers off guard. Technical merits are first rate, and maybe a little unexpectedly Lionsgate has assembled a larger than average supply of bonus items for this release, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.