At this time, there are already 530 reviews for "Now You See It", so I'll try to be brief. The film is about a group of four magicians and mentalists who have been given a brilliant plan by an unseen genius. Again and again, the quartet perform seemingly impossible stunts and always seem many steps ahead of the police. And, in the process, they do HUGE magic tricks that are pretty much impossible. The presentation is VERY smooth and very slick and the overall production looks great. It has great music and effects. But, on the negative side none of this really makes a lot of sense and there is no way you can enjoy it if you think. This is especially true at the end (where there is a profession of love that comes from absolutely no where!!)--which is a gigantic cliché and made no sense whatsoever. The bottom line is that if you turn off you brain and enjoy it on a very superficial level, you'll enjoy it. If you try to make sense of it all, your head will explode. 'Nuff said.
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planktonrules27 May 2014
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pinkled57 June 2013This is one of those movies that is somewhat entertaining upon first viewing but is easily forgettable and has nothing of substance to make a second viewing possible to enjoy. The plot is convoluted as we don't know what the main characters are doing or why. In fact, everything we know about the 4 magicians is revealed in the first 10 minutes of the movie and after that there is ZERO character development! The entire movie appears to have been made solely for the sake of the ending and yet it was so cliché that I was actually a little angry about the way they did it. It's unfortunate that in the filmmaker's attempts to be clever they neglected the most fundamental elements of storytelling: plot and character.
Like a magic show without magic, you may find yourself somewhat entertained but inevitably wind up disappointed in the end because they left out the most important part of the show. -
Overall a showman of a film. Flashy, loud with bells and whistles and big personalities, an exciting premise... illusionists rob banks using (supposed) magic but the four horsemen are just puppets in a game, but the hype is more than the substance of the film itself.
You'd expect suspense, twists, intelligent plot misdirection and all sorts of thrilling viewing? No. This film tries to be a lot more intelligent than it actually is. Like Atlas (Eisenberg) says, "Always be the most intelligent person in the room" or something similar, this film thinks it is being intelligent but actually it's not challenging enough. It gives too much away, isn't as unpredictable as it should be (really, you couldn't see that ending coming?) and just isn't as clever as it promises. The tricks I really wanted explaining weren't... the ones that were more obvious, were explained. The ending actually isn't a denouement, as it's been laying clues all along - and anyone who's seen a lot of films can see the "twists" coming a mile away. I focus on the twists and reveal because as a heist movie, the end is the big reveal. But, unlike Oceans Eleven, for example, it has more or less handed it to you on a plate already.
The actors were good. Morgan Freeman and Woody Harrelson stealing the show, of course, with Dave Franco doing a bang up job with some incredible physical acting, stunts and so forth. I'm afraid Jesse Eisenberg didn't convince in his character and was annoying after a while, Franco rather underutilised really. Isla Fisher was good but clearly the "glamour" rather than a serious character, which was a shame as she was good.
This was supposed to be a big blockbuster film, big back drops, epic stunts and huge crowd scenes, but it failed to deliver. As heist/magic genre films go it's not that great, and The Prestige was far more cerebral and gripping. Entertaining to a point but I got a bit bored, and some of the scenes were too long - chases etc. If you are a fan of heist films or magic you'll enjoy it, or are a fan of particular actors, or will just enjoy it for what it is and don't want to be challenged intellectually, it's a great film. I think Hollywood endings are just too commonplace. 6/10 for me. -
Wizard-813 September 2013"Now You See Me" came out of nowhere and became the sleeper hit of 2013, getting good word of mouth during its theatrical run. Having seen the movie for myself, I am kind of puzzled by its popularity. Certainly, the movie is far from the worst movies I have ever seen - it's colorful, and doesn't have a dead spot despite running almost two hours long.
But there were some things about the movie that annoyed me enough to prevent me from liking it. The biggest problem is with the characters. Except for Freeman's character, there is not one likable character in the movie. The law enforcement agents investigating the magicians are loud and obnoxious, and the four magicians come across as extremely smug. (Also, there is no attempt to give the magicians real and separate personalities - they all act alike.)
The characters were the main reason why I didn't like this movie, but there were other problems as well. One other major annoyance is the depiction of the magic acts. They have been jazzed up with CGI and other special effects so they don't feel like REAL magic acts - they come across as artificial. Also, as the movie progresses, the various feats the magicians pull off slowly become more unbelievable (and not fully explained) that eventually I wanted to cry out loud, "Oh, COME ON!" Less slight of hand and a more realistic approach would have been a much better approach.
(Note to Michael Caine fans: His role is really just an extended cameo appearance.) -
jmroto-2188722 May 2022This movie was really fun to watch Nice to see a clean move that is ver entertaining
Woody Harrelson was excellent as is Morgan Freeman
Mark Buffalo is just a terrible actor especially in a crime setting like this. He lowered my overall score
Enjoy. -
Imagine Now You See Me as Ocean's Eleven meets The Prestige and you sort of get what director Louis Leterrier was going for with this film. Is Now You See Me as successful as the aforementioned films? Not necessarily, but it's a fun movie that deconstructs the acts of modern magicians.
The story follows four Vegas magicians, known as the Four Horsemen, who rob a bank in the middle of one of their shows. What follows is a cat-and-mouse thriller where the FBI chases after these magicians, always one step behind, trying to figure out how they did it.
Where Now You See Me works best is when Leterrier creates cinematic sequences showing us how these magicians used real-life magic tricks to befuddle and dupe both their victims and the FBI. As well, if you want a film with twists and turns, this one will not disappoint. While most of the major twists can be found out before revealed, there is still a joy in watching those twists unfold, thanks to Leterrier's Sherlock Holmes' style of visual deduction. However, the script often falters in one of the most crucial areas, that of character.
Leterrier and company are constantly trying to balance the breakneck pace with the large cast of characters, and it just leaves the characters hanging out to dry. Character development is sorely lacking in Now You See Me, to where I never really cared about any of the characters. Part of this is because the film is constantly shifting points of view. The first thirty minutes follow our Robin Hood-like magicians, and then it switches to the FBI agents tracking them down, but then the film has the magicians constantly one step in front of the FBI to the point that it makes the FBI often come across as buffoons, and I find it hard to care for characters who are so easily fooled. Ultimately, I feel that had the film focused entirely on one set of characters, like the magicians or the FBI, the film would have been stronger and been easier to find a focal point, but as it is the film's core is often muddled.
While Now You See Me may not be a grand slam, it's still entertaining, thanks to the thrills and visual style of the film. Bottom line, if you're a fan of the heist genre, you'll like this movie. For me though, it just lacks a further script rewrite to have become one of the best examples of the genre.
I give Now You See Me an 8 out of 10! -
julianblunt31 May 2013This is an interesting concept, surely not a genre played out much in Hollywood. The cast is jam packed with all stars giving great (but not their best) performances. The missing piece of the puzzle? Character development.
That's not to say that there is any lack of interesting characters, each of the four horsemen bring a very unique style to the movie (besides Henley, she's rather weak as a character), and the sheer amount of Talent present in each scene guarantees that you'll be entertained.
10/10? Hardly. But definitely a solid 8 for me. Entertaining, fun, and definitely a concept worth exploring on the big screen. Just remember, the closer you look, the less you'll actually see. -
There are a lot of reviews already for this movie, so it is unlikely anyone will read mine. But I feel like I have to weigh in on this movie.
This is the most fun I've had watching a flick in a very, very long time. This movie is a riot! It isn't quite as clever as it thinks it is. Most of the surprises weren't terribly surprising; off the top of my head I can identify at least three that I saw coming. But I don't care.
It was fun! It was funny and engaging and I found myself simultaneously rooting for both sides. There is no shortage of action, the dialogue is peppy, and - unlike almost everything else I've watched lately - it's never boring.
Do yourself a favor and don't analyze. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Movies don't have to be life-altering. -
And I will not back up with this statement. It is a good movie, because it's not a boring movie, but it is that kind of movie that you watch once and walk away and forget all about it.
First off, let me tell you why movies involving magic tricks don't work. Because magic is for live audience and everything made on camera loses the main purpose of magic. In order to enjoy it, we have to subscribe to things that defy plausibility, we are obliged to take unrealistic facts for granted. But let's say we're OK with that. The Illusionist or The Prestige worked that way.
The real problem here is that the storyline is cynical and walks on a path of plain 'by the book' twist after twist after twist scenario, even though they lack of substance, motivation, trying to create an undeserved WOW effect. Plus, they forced in a classical fling to satisfy all viewers. There are major unrealistic events, but I guess the movie is not for us who try to find logic, but for those who just want to be entertained and see sparkles. -
arsenalfcclubwearegunners22 November 2022I really enjoyed this movie . One point that i really like is that you always have to expect the unexpected because around every twist there is another turn. The plot, the characters, the visual effects are all displayed and carried out perfectly. I am still in admiration of how wonderful this movie is (even though i have watched it many times previously) it still makes me so happy each and every time.
I think each actor was completely, perfectly suited to their role while also having great chemistry together. The 4 horsemen are all portrayed brilliantly and I don't think they could have gotten a better cast!
I will say this is a ''blink and you'll miss it'' type of movie as earlier on it will reference things that you won't quiet understand until later on so be prepared to pay attention. With a shocking end and the perfect cliff hanger leading onto the next movie I guarantee that you'll love this one. Would definitely recommend to watch this movie. -
Mandais5 September 2013Now You See Me is the sort of movie that relies entirely on spectacle and style without much of anything underneath the surface. The plot centers around a band of Robin Hood-esque illusionists with an affinity for robbing banks and the team of FBI agents tasked with bringing them down.
We are first introduced to our protagonists, a group eventually called The Four Horsemen, through a look at each of their individual acts. The movie fails, however, to develop any of them beyond these lifeless, cardboard cut-outs. The same is true for the rest of the cast as well. There's a pair of bumbling FBI agents, a washed up magician aiding the feds, and the Horsemen's benefactor who are never given enough depth to make for really compelling characters.
This movie does contain some relatively cool tricks, but some are a bit too grand to be believable. One in particular involving Isla Fisher floating above a crowd in a giant bubble is a tad ridiculous. All that being said, it's entertaining enough to pull you along for the ride and it can be a pretty darn fun ride at times as long as you don't look too closely. -
doublekkluke27 February 2014Despite all the nasty reviews it has received, I believe Now You See Me is one of the best movies ever, I watched it 7 times in 3 days and the thrill was never taken away, I just caught more of the plot. Who says in that it is impossible to re-watch, obviously they haven't tried it. People may say that there are some big plot holes, but I can fill in those because remember the closer you think you are, the less you actually see. explanation #1:spoiler: People say they tried so hard to steer the viewers away from guessing Dylan was behind it all and it fell apart, untrue, they give many big hints maybe not obvious ones but still. Merrit says he has big daddy issues, he gets protective, he fails from the start, he knows less than he should, he is dismissive about all magic, but pays really close attention to the parts about Lionel Shrike. #2:the eye, people say the movie would be better without it, but then what would their motivation be? They want to be great magicians and the way to get in as Alma explains is to blindly follow a chain of commands...#3 carousel ending, they said how Lionel Shrike performed his famous card in the tree trick with a man who worked at a carousel.#4Thaddeus Bradley framed, he debunked Dylan's father, which led to him doing the safe trick which led to his death so Dylan wanted to avenge his dad.#5 lack of character build up, false because it shows changes throughout, Jack, a kid, a con, he's scared, he's tired of being unappreciated, then he gets his big moment and he dies, but really he pulled off the whole end heist and finally changed like the card death symbolizes for ex. and there are many more things you probably missed by looking too closely, look at the big picture next time because the more you think you see, the easier it is to fool you.
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miguelneto-7493623 October 2016Now You See Me is a very entertaining movie, the cast is excellent, Jesse Eisenberg is very well, Mark Ruffalo for me is the best actor of the film, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Melanie Laurent, Morgam Freeman, Michael Caine and etc., everyone is well, the direction of the film is good, most have some problems, I found the badly explained film, and the Plot Twist the film is somewhat predictable, has great moments in the film, the visual effects are good, the script even a little poorly explained, can sustain the film, the soundtrack is cool, plus the film loses some strength in the end, get well, more will lose some quality in the course of the movie, Now You See Me is a movie cool and fun, is a good pass time. Note 7.1
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"Now You See Me" has a stellar cast, a fun and intriguing premise and themes (showdown of rival magicians combined with a heist), delightful smart-assery and cunning tactics -- especially in those scenes dominated by Jesse Eisenberg or Woody Harrelson. Oh, and it has quite dazzling action sequences. All the best parts of this film are well-packaged and sold in the gripping theatrical trailer.
I took someone I loved to "Now You See Me" and expected the payoff of a perfect night of entertainment.
I'm not impossible to please at the movies and I actively wanted this to be a good time. I went out for entertainment and leisure and in good company and high spirits, not at all for the purpose of writing a critical review.
What's more, I'm a big fan of all of the raw ingredients in this film. I enjoy magic and I could watch Morgan Freeman or Michael Caine in almost anything (now proved.) I fully enjoyed a much better film called "The Prestige," which might be regarded by some as a predecessor.
But what happened here?
After several fun scenes and a promising opening sequence that made me want to care about the characters, I discovered a film in search of a plot and utterly lacking intellectual integrity and respect for the audience. The twists and reversals weren't just surprising, they were completely unbelievable. You didn't see it coming, but not because of skillful misdirection (the art of magicians, so often implied.)
Rather, you didn't see it coming because the explanations were crooked and cooked up and merely expedient.
Especially, by late in the film when they start tracking backward to earlier events to show you how you were fooled and what was really going on the whole time -- the explanations presented are less convincing than simply believing in real magic.
!!!Spoler Alert: Stop reading here if you would like to watch this movie without knowing anything about the late scenes, reveals, and reversals!!!
For example, the "Four Horsemen" stage the death of one of their own by perfectly orchestrating a high-speed traffic accident on a crowded bridge. It's imperative that the car he's apparently driving flips and tumbles several times and ultimately bursts into flames.
But it's equally imperative that the pursuing detective can retrieve a stack of papers from the wrecked car. He *must* be able to retrieve the papers but not the body, all while getting away with his own life, or else the plot begins to unravel.
The timing is of course worked out impeccably, and it's carried out with no other fatalities on the bridge. And somehow the magicians have stuffed a replacement body from the morgue into an identical car just before turning it into a time-bomb.
The audience knows, emotionally, that the Dave Franco character shouldn't really be dead (as I heard one person exclaim loudly during the closing sequence when "Jack Wilder" shows up again,) but the way his death is apparently faked would defy an unlimited budget and dozens of trained stunt drivers and coordinators -- unless, of course, you close the bridge to public traffic. Yet it's just one more miracle that the Horsemen carry out with aplomb, at a frenetic pace and on-the-fly, with less than half-a-dozen total team members, empowered by an unlimited budget and a mystery benefactor.
All the while, apparently real traffic zooms along with presumably untrained and unprepared public going about normal business.
We are expected to believe that the way Hollywood makes a high-speed accident occur without killing anybody can be done by a handful of highly motivated professional stage magicians (read: amateurs to road stunts) and somehow this can be accomplished without completely controlled surroundings.
This elaborately and improbably faked high-speed death scene is just one example of the film jumping into an explanation of "how it really happened" that seems less probable and less believable than *anything* you could have guessed before being told.
And the plot problems go much deeper than buying into death-defying scenes that require an elimination of anything random in a busy public space. I couldn't buy the ultimate reveal about the real identity and motives of the Mark Ruffalo character, either. It seemed incongruous. It felt like a cheat. The way he is planted in relation to earlier events seems like an afterthought.
And I couldn't buy that underneath his deliberate blundering and willful ignorance was someone not only much smarter than he appeared, but someone so capable of perfect planning as to be damned near omniscient.
The total impression is of a promising film idea that fell on its own very expensive sword. I don't know what happened, but it looks like it got battered and morphed around and rewritten by multiple teams of writers. The total feeling is that the story got killed and Frankensteined back together multiple times. And it looks like the final edit came after the director and all concerned were out of steam and over budget.
I felt intellectually raped, to put it bluntly. I felt like the director was content to dazzle us with action and effects and to take our money while demanding our total credulity on the plot points, using the angle provided by magic in a rather disingenuous way.
This, instead of providing a coherent narrative that would allow an adult audience to cheerfully maintain a willing suspension of disbelief.
The storyline turns into a madhouse of improbabilities and then rationalizes its real business like a pathological liar. What a travesty to the promising themes of magic and old rivalries, treated so well in other recent films. And what a waste of a beautiful all-star cast, so entertaining as individuals in the early scenes. -
krainzse8 May 2013"Now You See Me" is has a wonderful cast and story lines that surprised and charmed me. I already know that I want to see the film again to scrutinize the misdirection that pervades both the on-screen "magic" acts and the overlaying plot lines.
The film has three principal sets of characters--first, the illusionists who are brought together by an unseen force to build a spectacular act, including at least one bank robbery, played out on location in Las Vegas, New Orleans, and NYC; second, law enforcement, including the FBI and a lovely French Interpol agent (Melanie Laurent); and third, the observers, including Michael Caine as a financial backer and Morgan Freeman as a magic-act debunker. Caine and Freeman are their usual wonderful selves, each playing a superficially archetypal role which is then revealed to be not all that it seems as the plot unfolds. The FBI and Interpol are necessary characters for the plot, and Mark Ruffalo and Ms. Laurent do well considering their characters exist in part to be duped by the illusionists. The actors who portray the illusionists--Isla Fisher, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco-- infuse their roles with great energy, charm, and wit, albeit a theatrically glib wit. I and others in the theater remarked that we would have liked to see more of them on screen.
The plot is too complex for me to do it justice before seeing the film again; suffice it to say, it involves four illusionists who build a complex act that seems to involve crimes which the FBI then investigates with comical frustration.
The movie is worth seeing for the actors, the visuals, the locations, and the misdirection and plot twists. I am sure that a careful scrutiny will imply some plot holes that will bother some viewers, but I also believe that an even more careful scrutiny would reveal that some 'holes' are not as deep as they seem at first. "Now You See Me" is a wonderful summer movie with great performances, surprising plot twists, and a "feel-good" energy. -
hanalisss28 July 2023Thrilling and mesmerizing heist film that keeps you guessing with its mind-bending illusions and clever twists.
First and foremost, the ensemble cast, including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco, delivers charismatic and dynamic performances. Their chemistry on screen brings the group of illusionists known as "The Four Horsemen" to life, making them a group you can't help but root for.
The film's premise of illusionists using their skills to pull off elaborate heists is a refreshing and unique concept in the realm of heist films. The magic acts themselves are brilliantly choreographed and add an element of spectacle that sets the film apart.
The narrative is filled with unexpected turns and keeps you engaged as you try to unravel the mysteries behind each illusion and heist. The blend of magic and heist elements creates a compelling and thrilling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Mark Ruffalo's performance as the determined FBI agent, Dylan Rhodes, is a standout. His cat-and-mouse game with "The Four Horsemen" adds an exciting dynamic to the film, blurring the lines between antagonist and protagonist.
The film's visuals are stylish and add to the overall sense of wonder and mystery. The scenes of magic performances and heists are visually stunning, making the film a treat for the eyes.
The film's score, composed by Brian Tyler, complements the fast-paced and exhilarating sequences, adding an extra layer of excitement to the storytelling.
In conclusion, Now You See Me is an entertaining and suspenseful ride that combines the thrill of a heist film with the wonder of magic. With its charismatic cast, clever plot twists, and visually dazzling performances, it's a movie that keeps you entertained and guessing until the final act.
If you're looking for a film that will keep you on your toes and leave you in awe of the art of illusion, Now You See Me is a must-watch. It's a cinematic magic trick that delights and surprises, making you believe in the impossible. -
blanche-29 June 2014"Now You See Me" (2013) is a tremendously fun film starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine.
Four magicians (Eisenberg, Harrelson, Fisher, and Franco) are invited to an address. Inside, they encounter a few tricks. A year later, these four have become The Four Horsemen and are doing a show in Las Vegas. They end the first performance that we see with a bank robbery that doesn't look like an illusion.
The FBI gets right on it and sends in an agent, Dylan Rhodes (Ruffalo) and Interpol sends one as well, Melanie Laurent (Alma Dray). Rhodes is arrogant and thinks figuring out how these four did it is going to be easy, but it isn't, even with the help of a big-time illusionist exposer (Freeman). Of course, that robbery isn't going to be their last as the agents become more and more frustrated.
Be ready for the twists and turns, distractions, and sleight of hand. Nothing is as it seems.
Highly entertaining film, with good performances from the young cast, working alongside two major pros, Caine and Freeman. I know the film is preposterous but so are a lot of plots. When a film is well done, I say just relax and go along with it. I'm always amazed at how people review a film like this as if it's Citizen Kane. My advice: If you want reality, don't watch movies. -
imseeg29 November 2020Amusing heist movie about several heists performed by magicians.
The good: the actors are great, because they simply are: Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, these guys are always worth watching.
The not so good: this story is intended to be really clever, but anyone who has ever seen Ocean's Eleven wont be impressed by this supposedly clever magic trick story.
BUT, while watching it is defiinitely entertaining, but dont expect originality. -
Eisenberg, as I'm sure many will notice, is beginning to develop his own typical character: the quick-witted, arrogant-yet-jittery, young smart guy. But instead of running facebook, this time he's one of the top magicians in the world. And he's perfectly cast for it.
The movie follows 4 magicians or illusionists in various stages of their careers, as they all receive mysterious invites to join up. After meeting, the "Four Horsemen" go all Robin Hood, robbing banks and stealing from CEOs as part of their shows, and giving the money away to the audience. The Incredible Hulk I mean, Mark Ruffalo, plays the FBI agent trying to lock them all up, while Morgan Freeman plays the narrator explaining everything to you I mean, the ex-magician trying to debunk the magic really, that's just a clever way to get Freeman to narrate stuff
Pros: - Everyone puts on a solid performance. No weak points acting-wise, great job on casting. - It's fast-paced, the action never hits any dull parts. And even the small romance scenes don't drag on long enough to take away from anything. You're pretty locked-in from start to finish. - Particularly great scenes between Eisenberg, Ruffalo, and Harrelson in the first half of the movie. - Great ending, if you've been paying attention.
Cons: - You wish there was more dialog between Eisenberg and Harrelson. - The 2nd half of the movie might move a bit too fast again, pay attention. - Somebody thought this was a Marvel movie for like 5 seconds, and had The Hulk fighting Gambit wait is that a bad thing?...
Overall, this movie is a solid flick with some great actors that you shouldn't sleep on. It clocks in at just under 2 hours, but it won't feel that long at all. -
Horst_In_Translation17 February 2016"Now You See Me" is a French/American co-production from 3 years ago and probably so far the most known work by French director Louis Leterrier. He sure got a whole bunch of big names lined up for this project, including Oscar winners and Oscar nominees. The outcome is not a failure, but still disappointing. Films about magic are not too frequent these days, even if there is Brody's "Houdini" and Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" of course. And you could call this film here a poor man's "The Prestige". Not only does the cast have Micael Caine in common, but it also tries to be controversial and mind-blowing from start to finish, but almost never succeeds. One main reason for this may be Jesse Eisenberg, who is probably the lead actor or at least the one who fits the description the most. In 90% of his films he plays a super-smart, smug young adult and his shtick has really gotten repetitive by now. I wish he would take other paths again like in "Zombieland" for example. By the way, it's a "Zombieland" reunion with Harrelson, who is fun as usual in here. Unfortunately the other 2 members of the gang are very forgettable too. Isla Fisher only stands out because she is the only woman from the quartet and Dave Franco, brother to James, proves that he is not even close to his famous sibling in terms of talent. Then again, the way the character is written was pretty disastrous too. He is totally irrelevant for pretty much the entire film and when we are supposed to be shocked he is alive, I honestly couldn't care less.
Finally, the story: There are a couple good scenes, but the longer the film goes, the more it loses itself in the makers' clumsy attempts to make this as surprising, mind-blowing and fascinating as possible. It really is none of all this. It is also way too long for its own good and they certainly could have cut out 20 minutes perhaps. These 20 minutes should come from the second half though as the movie was decent until the moment the quartet took the money from Caine's character's bank account. After that, it turns into a forgettable action thriller, before it desperately tries so hard to get back to the magic storyline and make this the center of the film again. I find it very irritating to see that this film is guaranteed to have not only one, but probably two sequels as there is hardly anything in here that makes me curious about a continuation of the story. And what can they do? Perhaps bring in a new cop that goes after the illusionists? I don't know. I can only say that I don't have much interest to see it and it would be almost painful to see Eisenberg('s character) for another 2 hours as I am sure he will bring absolutely nothing new to the character. I did not really guess the final plot twist as I thought Laurent's character may be the 4th Horseman, but obviously they had to go out the most spectacular way possible. A lot of the film can be described as style over substance. If you want to watch it nonetheless, you can turn it off after the first hour. It gets bad really quickly after that. -
I absolutely love this film. "Now You See Me" is like nothing I've ever seen before. "Now You See Me" tells the story of a group of magicians called The Four Horsemen who use their skills to pull off some of the greatest international robberies of their generation. Featuring Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt McKenny (Woody Harrelson), Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco), the Four Horsemen make a dream team of street magicians. Since they have made their stunts public, allowing the world to "witness" the robberies, authorities are in hot pursuit of the four, now wanted criminals. Detective Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) is accompanied in his search for the illusive magicians by Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman) and French detective Alma Dray (Melanie Laurent). Will the Four Horsemen be able to pull of their final act without being caught, or will it be curtains for the criminal performers?
The plot is so original and full of fresh ideas and witty comedy. I love how fast paced this film is, I swear there isn't a dull moment from beginning to end. The plot itself has so many twists and turns it should be a pretzel, but it keeps the audience guessing the whole time and hits you with major shock factor. The acting in this film is incredible. It features a group of incredible actors - Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson and many others. I love how each character has a unique quirk and personality that you can really see, but they all work together so well. The cinematography and special effects in this film are phenomenal. It is bursting with rich colors and textures, drawing you into the magic and making the illusions appear so real. The soundtrack is also amazing. It is suits each scene very well, while keeping a consistent theme and feel throughout the movie. "Now You See Me" is definitely not one to miss.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite character because I love all of the Horsemen, but when it comes down to it I have to say I like the characters Daniel Atlas and Jack Wilder. Daniel, played by Jesse Eisenberg, often tries to assert himself as the head of the Four Horsemen. He is controlling, very specific and difficult to deal with, but he is also the funniest character which is attributed to all of his demanding qualities. I love every film Jesse Eisenberg is in and I think he is perfect for the role of Daniel Atlas. I also like Jack Wilder, played by Dave Franco, because he is the craftiest of the magicians. He isn't the "card trick" or "read your mind" type, he's just a good old fashioned pick-pocket for whom no door is ever locked.. He is sort of the "muscle" to the operation because he is able to help the horsemen get out of tight situations and he is also very funny.
My favorite scene is when the Four Horsemen have to escape from the FBI after their second robbery. Jack Wilder has to stay behind to burn secret files. When he has an unexpected run-in with Detective Rhodes, an action filled fight sequence and high speed chase follow. This scene is filled with suspense, action and incredible stunts and it shows that the Horsemen are always two steps ahead.
I recommend this film for ages 12+ because of violence and mild mature language. Overall I give "Now You See Me" 5 out of 5 stars.
See Raven's video review on kidsfirst.org -
billygoat10711 June 2013Now You See Me is basically a heist film which involves magicians, and it seems like it's going to be one of those illusion themed films that adds mind tricking elements throughout the plot. It begins featuring impressive magic tricks before it proceeds to its intriguing premise. It works best as a fast paced thriller with all the crazy action and ideas it brought, but as a clever mindbender, it effects rather differently than what it wants. The good thing is it's just simple and fun for embracing its own magic. Some tricks may get out of hand, but Now You See Me is a film that is easy enough to be charmed.
The plot sounds silly, but it's hard to not feel the excitement behind these illusions. No matter how dangerous it turns, it's still all about the magic. The most fun parts are when they're performing their thing. The whole merit of the film is its heart to show that these tricks are actually entertaining. Even the simplest ones like the deck of cards and hypnotism are still fascinating to watch. The cast keep these acts alive. Jesse Eisenberg and Isla Fisher seem to have the enthusiasm of performing these tricks. Woody Harrelson is always a joy to watch. Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco, and Melanie Laurent also made their roles a bit memorable, while Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine are just sitting around doing their fine usual thing.
When it goes to the second act, they should be cracking the code of the illusions. It's ought to be a thought-provoking mystery, but it disappointingly over explains every detail. Even at every twist it reveals, they have to talk it out how the entire set up was built plus flashbacks to be clearer. The concept of being mind boggling is compromised and now stays to the comfort zone of bringing typical action set pieces. Some of the action can be whimsically inspired which fits to this environment.
The result of Now You See Me is not "Pure Magic" like what the tagline says nor genius, but it's an honest piece of cinema that offers real thrills even without the over-serious tone that moviegoers today suggests. The film still needs to be trickier. It started out overwhelming then slowly becomes the opposite later on. Despite the missteps it makes, the experience is undeniably endlessly entertaining, thanks to the enthusiasm for magic and delightful performances. Now You See Me didn't apply as being cleverer, but it's still a good blockbuster anyway. -
Lesego-Madisa10 December 2014A lot of people also think there is no real magic in this movie. Since the condescending black guy, Thaddeus, debunks just about every magic trick in the movie.
Well, there is a lot of magic in this movie. One of them is the building leap where the 3 Horsemen turn into money. How does one explain that?
How did the 30-year-old New York Post paper featuring a two page article on Lionel Shrike get inside Alma Dray's Liberation newspaper in Paris? How did Dylan Rhodes escape the locked prison cell when he visited Thaddeus from behind him and then appear in front of him where the door is at?
In the interrogation room Merritt informs Alma about Dylan having daddy issues and that it's her first time off the desk. So he is a real mentalist. He can also feel energy through closed doors and glass when he acknowledges Fuller and Dylan looking at him in the room. Jack disappears from inside the curtain when Dylan grabs him at the joint. And appears on the other side. It's unexplainable, so it's magic.
And also, how did Atlas get the SUCK IT card inside Thaddeus' velveteen pocket before their second show?
We may never know whether the story of the cheating husband at the beginning is true or not. But we do know about Dylan having daddy issues and Alma being her first time off the desk. No one told Merritt. Well, least not about Alma. This is magic.
Thaddeus knew an unusual amount of information about the Horsemen plans and The Eye. So The Eye is real, or was real. He knew about the book Alma was reading called The Guardians of Horus. He even tells Arthur that whatever the grand trick is was designed long ago. How does he know this?
Another clue is the first meeting with Thaddeus when he tells them that they are being played because it's a game. Only Dylan can understand him.
Some people claim that there is no growth in the characters and that they are shallow. Again, not true. They had a start as individual acts, Merritt was successful at one stage, even had a TV show. He was trying to do a comeback with a book he wrote about hypnosis.
Before they leave the joint, Henley wonders who they are working for and Jack doesn't want to go to jail. Or get killed. Merritt is expecting a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Henley reminds them that they must stick to the plan and Merritt will get to do whatever he wants after.
Jack, since he is the youngest, is often treated unfairly. Even in the engineered Jet scene when he wants to speak about his part on the show. He is dismissed. Atlas and Henley used to work together back in the day and went their separate ways as Atlas was a control freak.
When they post a video on Youtube about Jack's death, Merritt also says they have started something bigger than all of them. And they have to finish it. In the lift at 5 Points Henley comments that she had a year of fun even if she goes to jail. This is character development.
At Central Park Merritt celebrates Jack for being 'a big boy now'.
The story is NOT about the Horsemen. It is about Dylan Rhodes. He is the one that grows throughout the movie. He is the one who is satisfied at the end. He is the one who had a goal. He is the one who knows what was happening and what to do.
After the inciting incident, Dylan gets a call from Fuller. He accepts the opportunity and goes to his office to start with the case. When he gets there, to cover his tracks, he acts like he doesn't want anything to do with the case. His plan did not or would not involve anyone outside the bureau, much less an agent from Interpol. He didn't see this one coming.
He later changes his mind when they let them go, confusing the agents. Again, to cover his tracks. When Fuller tells him about Thaddeus being in the show filming the Horsemen, he, to us, did a terrible job when he denies ever having any knowledge about the magic debunker. And only we can see this. Even when they meet Thaddeus at his offices, he had to convince everyone that he doesn't know anything about magic or his own father, Lionel Shrike. He acts like a dummy. We are the only ones who can see this.
At the empty Las Vegas theater, he did an excellent job when he 'pretended' that he didn't know how they stole the money from Paris. For Alma. He had to keep up with her for most of the movie because she was onto something. She's a researcher. A desk agent like Merritt said.
Of course Thaddeus won't last in jail. And yes Arthur's money is gone. Merritt can hypnotize people over the phone to get them to do whatever he wants. Even if Credit Republican of Paris gets its money back since the bank money is probably insured and the Elkhorn money inside the safe at the warehouse, the whole point was for Dylan was to humiliate his victims. Arthur Tressler's insurance career is over. After they exposed his company it will be done away with.
Thaddeus Bradley's ego is busted. He'll find it very difficult to return into the business after what Dylan did to him. -
tracyandchristian1221 September 2013I wanted this movie to be fun and witty, with some twists and turns that resulted in a decent Friday night experience. However, this movie "makes less sense than Cloud Atlas" (actual quote by the boyfriend). The writers/directors tried desperately to make more twists and turns than is possible in any realm of reality or fiction, there was little to no character development, and I was disappointed. You can tell that they spent a TON of money getting wonderful actors, awesome lighting and special effects, but it was wasted because even though we are pretty smart people, very little about the magic tricks and especially the ending made any sense whatsoever. I gave this movie 6/10 for its visual effects and camera work, but the story sucks. There's a line "always be the smartest guy in the room," and it feels like the writer was obsessed with being smarter than his own audience, which is insulting and lame.
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svenhaadem24 August 2013I believe the target audience (and maybe even the writer) are all 14 year old boys who think magicians can do anything they want. I love a good sci-fi setting and I can accept some really fringe premises if the movie exploit them in a good way. This movie just relies on the audience swallowing everything and never questioning anything. If you start to pull any of the many loose ends it all falls apart faster than you can say bullshit.
I wanted to write this whitout spoilers, but the plot has given me a itch I can not scratch.
First, they stole 140 million by knowing the guys first pets name!?? Do they suggest the bank secure their assets with a simple password recovery scheme like that? I don't begin to understand. Are they seriuous? Why didn't they just say they hypnoticed him into withdrawing the money. Even thow that is not possible it is far more believable. This is maybe the most unbeliveble way to explain a heist I ever heard of.
There is not a singel interesting or plausible event in the whole film. Everything is just random. The fbi guy, did he base his whole career on this single moment? That is determenation and planning out of this world. But, I guess its a whole lot easier to say its just distraction and magic that did it all.
I would say that convincing people to pay for this crap is a far greater con than any of the ones presented in the movie.
I have seen allot of bad movies but they all have something if find interesting or good in them. Except this one. I cant find any thing positive to say. Stay clear.