Now You See Me Movie Review
Rebeca Surber Swank
May 31st, 2013
When four magicians with different talents receive the same invitation to meet at an empty New York City apartment, their mysterious host provides them with tools to change their status as street magicians to a prime time Las Vegas show. Known as the Four Horsemen, the united magicians pull off an elaborate bank heist as their grand finale, showering audience members with stolen Euros from the Parisian financial institution they robbed across the globe. Their theft pairs a surly FBI agent with an openminded French Interpol officer who are drawn into an embarrassing game of cat and mouse with the Four Horsemen. Taking the audience on a ride from Vegas, New Orleans and New York, NOW YOU SEE ME ups the ante when it comes to their cash distribution at the end of each show.
In what could have been a fully enjoyable and fun flick, the storyline turns into a highly predictable film, full of flaws and a flat finish. The highlights of the film are the moments where the viewer meets the Four Horsemen: J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco). No matter if the four are being questioned by the authorities or on stage performing, they confidently work the crowd and provide high energy entertainment. Their witty banter is easy and they have great chemistry as frenemies working together to propel their status as magicians. I truly wished for them to be on screen more and particularly loved Harrelson and Eisenberg.
Mark Ruffalo as the constantly angry FBI agent was decent enough, fighting through embarrassing moments where the Four Horsemen manage to get the best of him. Leading the audience through a wild goose chase, the picture could have been great had the script avoided a forced, awkward romantic scenario with Mélanie Laurent’s Interpol agent. It troubles me that films feel the need to force a love interest or love story as an attempt to complete or add filler to a film. The ‘romantic’ scenes between Ruffalo and Laurent were painfully choreographed and did not add anything of value to the film. Those characters were more interesting and complex before any romantic moves were made. Plus, their chemistry never sparked to where this type of connection felt appropriate. It made me happy to see more of Laurent as she was great in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS and has a unique screen presence. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman round out the supporting characters and turn in fitting performances, but nothing standout from the seasoned actors.
Despite the strong start, as the picture progressed I was left unfulfilled and felt cheated out of a proper ending. Things tied up in too neat of a package without any real explanation to what comes of our entertaining characters. If you want a heist movie, check out OCEAN’S ELEVEN. If you want a film about magicians, watch THE PRESTIGE. If you want a mediocre magic heist flick, NOW YOU SEE ME is the film for you.
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