Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)

Good concept, poorly executed.

A Disappointing Continuation

The first must-see film of the year.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Now You See Him, Now You Don't is a silly Disney comedy which kids might enjoy but it really is a bad stupid film.It is the further adventures of science student Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell) who discovers an invisibility formula by accident and he thinks he could win a prestigious science prize that could save his college.College Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) cuts a deal with investor A J Arno (Cesar Romero) who has just been released from jail. Arno owns the college's mortgage and plans to turn the site into a casino as an old piece of legislation allowed gambling on the land. The Dean is unaware of Arno's crooked plans.Arno also steals Dexter's invisibility formula and plans to rob a bank but Dexter and his fellow students give chase.The film starts off brightly but really loses its way. The golf scenes just meanders like the golf balls that Dexter somehow contrived to place in the hole.When Arno makes his getaway car invisible, how is it that it also becomes indestructible and somehow never becomes visible even when it passes through water puddles?

Dexter (Kurt Russell) returns from The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes for a new adventure that can stand alone. Dexter, ever the college student prone to misadventure, has an idea for a formula to render things invisible. Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) is less than impressed and sets his hopes for winning a lucrative science prize with the pupil studying bees. However, the bees sting the student and he turns out to be allergic. There goes THAT chance for a prize. But, wait, Dexter does it! He actually concocts a liquid that makes him invisible. Trouble is, a unscrupulous businessman (Cesar Romero) learns about it and decides he can use that formula, thank you, for something illegal. Can he manage to steal the bottle out from under Dexter's nose? This is a companion movie to the TCWT but one need not have seen the first film to enjoy this one. Russell is a genial leading screw-up who comes through when it really counts. The rest of the cast is also a dream, with Flynn, Romero, Jim Bacchus and others showing why their comic abilities are still held in high regard today. The script is just innocent fun that is charming, with the special effects somewhat simple, by today's standards, but effective nonetheless. If you want to sit down and relive a bygone era or just want to share a quality, G-rated film with your family, this is a great choice. Although it is over 30 years old, there is a great possibility that even now you will see your loved ones giggle away the blues with a showing of this fine flick.

It may not be a 10 out of 10 but for me the jokes didn't fail. I've seen it many times when I was younger and again on DVD I believe, and I laughed each time.The humor is simple and fun,this film was just one of many small flicks Disney was throwing out at the time. I found the parts where the people out of the invisible loop saw people invisible. THere expressions were priceless Great film, if the opportunity to ever see this arises I recommend seeing it for a good oh fashion laugh. My favorite character in all the Dexter series would most definitely have to be Dean Higgins, I love his voice and hearing him get upset especially seeing his expression at the end was just pure hysterical for me.

This comical tale is an example of what Saturday matinee movies used to be like. Don't be dismayed if you think this is for science fiction lovers only, it's got some great laughs, fine acting, surprisingly good special effects and a hugely enjoyable story. Great performances from the late Cesar Romero and Joe Flynn. Also notable to see a young Kurt Russell in action. Second feature in a trilogy with the same cast.