Pas vu, pas pris

Kurt Russell and his gang of college buddies return three years later in Now You See Him, Now You Don't. Just as The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes was deliciously '60s, this one is deliciously '70s. The haircuts, the clothes, the music are all different in just three years - but that's college life for you! This time at Medford College, the science department is still underfunded and Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) is still incompetent. Kurt and his pals invent an invisibility spray solution, and they hope to impress Jim Backus, the head of the science contest, into giving them the grant money.

Even though he's supposed to be safely locked in jail from the end of the first movie, A. J. Arno (Cesar Romero) is back and ready to thwart Kurt's plans. But when you're trying to steal things you can't see from people you can't see, it's pretty tough. It's also pretty funny. It's a Disney movie with nothing bad happening from start to finish, so it's safe and fun for the whole family. It's also less dated than the original, since invisibility still hasn't been invented (even though computers have been) yet.

Just as good as its predecessor, perhaps even slightly better in moments.

All in all I narrowly prefer 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes', but 'Now You See Him, Now You Don't' most certainly still produces solid fun. Everything revolves around invisibility this time, the stuff that Dexter & Co. get up to is suitably entertaining.

Kurt Russell reprises the role of Dexter, again positively - no surprise he went on to become such a well known star. Cesar Romero is also good for a second film running, as Arlo. Joe Flynn gets a bigger part as Higgins this time, he's definitely better in this production.

For the majority I felt it was superior to the 1969 original, but the third act drags ever so slightly to the point it brings it back down on a similar footing. Still, this is Disney's best live-action sequel up until this point - way more enjoyable than 'Son of Flubber' or 'Savage Sam', among others.

Can they make it a hat-trick of fine films with the other sequel in 'The Strongest Man in the World'? Hope so!

College dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) is trying to cut the chemistry department budget. He dismisses all the science being done by the students. A lightning strike hits the lab. The next day, Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell) checks the damaged experiments and discovers an invisibility liquid. He shows his friends Richard Schuyler and Debbie Dawson. Crooked investor A.J. Arno (Cesar Romero) has bought up the college's mortgage. The Dean is clueless but the three friends suspect Arno has nefarious motives.

This is the second of the Dexter Riley movies from Disney. It is charming family fun. There is an endearing innocence about these movies. Baby-faced Kurt Russell is great. I also love the pre-CGI special effects. As a kid, I was engrossed by them. As an adult, I am enchanted by them. The story is silly but that's also part of the charm.

Comedic take on the Invisible Man motif, featuring Disney's Medfield College gang of Dexter Riley, Dean Higgins et al. A good showcase for Kurt Russell's early work in comedy, before he started doing violent action heroes a few years later.

This time, Riley (Russell) is one of several college students trying to win a scientific invention contest. Lightning strikes (literally) and he finds himself in possession of a viable invisibility potion. He is ready to wow the world with this scientific breakthrough, but then, some evil hi jinx by crooks intervene, setting up some weird moments, car chases, predictable slapstick, keystone cop style bumbling, and other tomfoolery. The invisibility special effects are cheap, but it doesn't matter.

There are some slow points and lulls, but the good scenes make up for it. The golf sequences and the "invisibility presentation" bit are the funniest moments. The cast features some great character acting by Joe Flynn, Cesar Romero, Jim Backus, and William Windom.

Brainless fun for when you're in the mood for 3 Stooges type slapstick.

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.