Magic is one of the longest existing forms of entertainment. It mystifies audiences with acts ranging from simple card tricks to optical illusions to death-defying feats. People who claim to outgrow magic simply outgrow their willingness to believe. But knowing magic is all special effects and sleight of hand doesn’t have to diminish its enjoyment. There’s a reason Penn & Teller shows are still hot tickets, even while they host a TV series revealing the mechanics behind certain tricks. The Now You See Me franchise aims to build on the age-old connection between magicians and con artists, which continues in the shrewdly named sequel, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

The Horsemen — Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Jack (Dave Franco), Henley (Isla Fisher) and Lula (Lizzy Caplan) — haven’t joined together in a decade (which is coincidentally almost the same amount of time since the last sequel). But they’re drawn out of hiding by a trio of young magicians who revive their revered stunt of taking from the rich and giving to the poor. The Eye recruits everyone to take down a diamond heiress (Rosamund Pike) whose family built their empire by working with criminals. With unprecedented security to circumvent, stealing the prized heart diamond will be their most difficult heist yet.

Director Ruben Fleischer, reuniting here with his Zombieland stars, reinvigorates the series after a less-than-compelling first sequel. The original Horsemen resume their roles effortlessly, falling even more easily into their amusingly playful banter. However, its the new generation that inject the narrative with youthful energy. Bosco (Dominic Sessa) is a chameleon, skillfully assuming other people’s voices and appearances. June (Ariana Greenblatt) is an expert pickpocket and parkourist, while Charlie (Justice Smith) is the brains behind their small operation, designing their tricks and recalling useless magic facts.

This franchise repeatedly finds exciting ways to blur the thin line between magic and elaborate heists. Both use tricks and illusions to deceive their targets — the only difference is one is for show and the other is for keeps. However, the Horsemen excel at entertaining most, while hoodwinking a few. If measured by the Principle of Utility, they’re unquestionably the good guys in spite of their criminal deeds.

The jet-setting magicians shoot in some interesting locations, including the Formula 1 track in Abu Dhabi. After stealing an F1 car, Bosco calls on Talladega Nights’ Ricky Bobby for help. But Will Ferrell plays a NASCAR driver, not an F1 driver, which reveals Bosco’s limited knowledge of the sport. The novice driver’s lack of familiarity also reflects in his clumsy attempts to operate the sports car’s high-tech steering wheel while evading his pursuers.

However, the most fascinating set is an old magician’s house filled with unexpected secrets and antique tricks. It’s like an adult funhouse! It has clever hidden passages, dizzying rooms that fully rotate, ordinary-looking furniture that makes people appear giant or tiny, a disorienting mirror maze and a remarkable M. C. Escher chamber. Even the front door requires they solve a puzzle to gain entry — a task that transcends simple lock-picking skills.

While knowledge of the previous films is not necessary, those who haven’t seen the last two instalments may feel lost during the reunion scenes. Though the new story features a fresh and thrilling new con, the Horsemen also carry a fair amount of baggage from the past. Without knowing the characters’ history, viewers may be confused by the loaded exchanges. That said, the flashy personalities and intricate tricks always scream fun, and this film leans heavily (and successfully) into the franchise’s extravagant wonder.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t opens in theatres Nov. 14.