FILM REVIEW | Now You See Me

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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