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J. Daniel Atlas (Jess Einsenberg), Merritt McKinney (Woody
Harrelson), Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) were all
street magicians looking for their big break, but what they were offered was
more than any of them could have ever foreseen.
The Story
Four street magicians who were making their buck dazzling
and coning their way to the big time come face to face with an opportunity of a
life time – a chance to prove their worth to the “mystical big leagues”, the
ancient realm of “The Eye”.
With a mixture of ancient Egyptian history, the English
Robin Hood legend and modern-day technology, Now You See Me portrays the world of logic, logical magic and the
magical world. These three worlds run parallel to one another throughout the
film as the FBIs (the logical world) attempt to do their jobs and catch the con
artists – a.k.a. “The Four Horsemen” (the magical world) – before they can rob
the rich and give to the poor, while involuntarily seeking direction from Thaddeus
Bradley (Morgan Freeman), a former magician gone magician-exploiter (the world
of logical magic).
What I love about this story is although these three worlds
run parallel to one another, they also intertwine to make unexpected twist and
turns that create multiple illusions of their own. You never know who’s
one-step ahead or who’s falling behind. You question everyone and in turn, they
also question your judgement.
The Cast
Jesse Eisenberg –
Taking his Social Network attitude
and narrow-mindedness, adding a ton of arrogance and a smidge of jealousy,
Eisenberg brought Mr J. ‘I’m in charge’ Daniel Atlas to life. Portraying the
‘top-dog,’ with a little social awkwardness, allowed audience love and hate J. Daniel.
There was a good balance of arrogance and humour in his character that allowed viewers
to root for Eisenberg when he came face to face with Ruffalo, as well as
Michael Caine.
Woody Harrelson –
Tuning into his inner (more sobre) Haymitch and spicing it up with
Tallahassee’s eagerness to kill a zombie, Harrelson portrayed a cheeky and
lovable Merritt McKinney. The comic relief in this film, Harrelson was the more
experienced magician who had the limelight taken away from him and is now
working his way back to the top. Harrelson never takes the reigns from
Eisenberg, but plays off his former Zombieland
co-star just as well as the beta male of the pack.
Isla Fisher –
Takes a fresh approach to Henley Reeves as she plays the role of magician’s
assistant gone solo. Attempting a death defying stunt and wowing audiences, she
shatters the illusion of the glass ceiling as she makes her stamp as an equal
to her former partner – J. Daniel. Fisher is no damsel in distress; she’s a
fierce and confident woman with lots up her sleeve.
Dave Franco –
Timid, yet confident in his own skills, Jack Wilder is more street than
performer. Franco’s character is seemingly the weakest link, yet is still their
greatest asset when it comes to the bigger scheme of things. As Jack makes a
name for himself, this role hits close to home, and is therefore a perfect role
for Franco as he comes to his own in the entertainment industry.
Mark Ruffalo –
Channelling his inner Hulk, keeping him contained in human form with
intelligible speech, Ruffalo tests his heroic skills in a different suit and
fights crime the old fashion way. Playing a believable FBI agent, it was hard
to say whether you were supposed to hate or root for Dylan Rhodes in his
pursuit of The Four Horsemen. But Ruffalo was convincing on either account that
left you wanting him to catch them, while simultaneously begging him to let
them go.
Morgan Freeman –
Keeping his ‘all knowing’ prowess from the Almighty
series, Freeman portrays a shady Thaddeus Bradley attempting to expose The Four
Horsemen as they canter to the top. There’s a balance of suspicion and awe as
Freeman’s character sheds light on the tricks of the trade, yet is blinded by
the biggest trick of all. It was great to see that even his character had a
blind spot.
The Theatrics
Although most of the visual illusions were graphic effects,
I still believe much of this film comes down to the root theatrics of magical
spectacles of a magic show. I thought the simplicity of the chosen frameworks
for each heist – the trap doors, disappearing and reappearing account balances,
and video holograms – were well planned, well executed and realistic.
I loved the unveiling of each magical illusion as well. It
complemented and heightened the importance of the three worlds operating in
this film, as well as gave us an inside into the inner workings of the creation
of the film itself. Whether it was a graphic effect or a theatrical component,
the set, props and technology that came together to make this film were
perfectly intertwined.
Overall
It was nice to see Eisenberg and Harrelson together again,
and this time have Jesse as the alpha male. The casting, theatrics and the plot
were believable, engaging and incredibly entertaining. Go see it.
sL Star Rating: 5
Stars
Next on sL: TBA