I went into seeing this movie with the hopes that, unlike most movies nowadays, the trailer wouldn’t reveal all the good parts. I can pleasantly say that Now You See Me has more to it than the trailers suggest. The way it plays out is a fun roller coaster ride and an enjoyable popcorn movie. The fact there were multiple twists and turns added to the enjoyment of the film for me as well. When a cast like this is assembled, you can sometimes hope for the best, and get the worst. Fortunately, for me, all the aspects of Now You See Me lent to making it one of the more enjoyable movie going experiences of 2013 thus far.
Now You See Me begins by watching J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) performing some “illuminating” street magic. We then see Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) performing a hypnotism/mentalist act with a married couple in an airport. We then see Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) performing her act in a club in Los Angeles. Lastly, we see Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) doing a magic trick of his own in New York City. The four were brought together, but what is the reason for it? They soon discover they were brought together to form a group thus known as the Four Horsemen. The opening sequence in showing the four different personalities is a great way to start. The fact some of them know each other before hand, and their interaction is really well done. This is a great way to start the movie, mainly because there is humor and a sense of what is yet to come.
Fast forward a year later, the Four Horsemen are performing a special One Night Only performance in Las Vegas. We see a person holding up a cell phone, only to have it taken away; or so the security personnel thought. The man, Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), had another recording device that he had pocketed as to continue recording the show. Before the last trick of the night, the Four Horsemen give thanks to the person who helped them fund the show, Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine).
The previews do show the scene with a person “disappearing” from the stage and being transported to a bank vault. This scene plays out very well, and adds to the intrigue of the movie. Some people may not enjoy the quick wrap around shots of the Four Horsemen, but it adds a more realistic effect to the scene. So, the Four Horsemen, with the help of an unknowing audience member, have robbed a bank in Paris; and the spoils went all to the audience that night. Enter FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo), and Interpol Agent Alma Dray (Melanie Laurent). The interrogation scene is quite humorous, and really draws in the audience in a special way. We see the different characters interacting, and really help the movie advance.
The Four Horsemen can’t be charged with anything, because they haven’t been “caught.” Agent Rhodes and Agent Dray enlist the help of Thaddeus Bradley, mainly because he makes his money by exposing the secrets of magicians for a profit. The crew then heads to their next show in New Orleans. This is the scene, in the previews, where the woman’s bank account has miraculously increased. The set up, and pay off of this scene is very well done. I should mention that the scene once again adds a humorous element that many might not have expected. This sets up the angle of the closer the agents get, the further the Horsemen get away.
The movie quickly advances to Agent Rhodes discovering the whereabouts of the Four Horsemen in New York. The scene that follows was something that I wasn’t expecting, a fight scene between Jack and Agent Rhodes. This was very well done, and adds another layer to the film. The twists and turns lead to the realization of the final trick. Now it seems that both Agents Rhodes and Dray have things figured out; but remember, they’re facing magicians all along. This leads up to what some may consider a slow build to the end. I can see where some may think that, but the way everything plays out in the end makes it all the more satisfying.
Now You See Me was well crafted and well acted. Once again, there is some camera work that whirls around and might make some a little dizzy. If you suffer from vertigo, you may want to look away; but if not, then enjoy how the steady cam does continuous shots in a unique way. You may see other places have spoilers for the movie, and that would take away from the thrill ride this movie takes you on for almost two hours. I will not do that disservice to you, and the people who made such a well thought out movie. So, if you’re looking for a fun time at the movies . . . and something you might want to see again, Now You See Me is definitely a movie worth checking out!
