REVIEW: NOW YOU SEE ME

The last time I watched a film centered around magicians (or illusionists but for this posting, they will be called magicians), it was The Prestige (2006) starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johannson, and Michael Caine. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film is magical.

Now, I just saw Now You See Mee which is directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans). The film stars a huge mouth-watering cast of Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman, and also Michael Caine. By ensembling such a group of professional actors, is this movie magical? Well...

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

Four magicians of various backgrounds come together after being recruited by a mysterious individual. Having known each other prior, they together form a magician troupe called The Four Horsemen. During one of their shows, they blantantly rob a bank in front of the eyes the public. Caught and released by the FBI, lead investigator Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) starts hunting them down. Little did he know, he was going on an adventure of unraveling secrets.

 

(L-R): The Four Horsemen; Eisenberg. Fisher, Harrelson, Franco.

 

SCRIPT:

The script has an original premise. Fresh and unique. However, the multiple plot lines are scattered all over the film. There was no consistency, sometimes difficult for audience to catch up. From time to time, it tries to be funny but fails at it. In other words, it was slightly choppy. My biggest problem with it, the film tries too feed so much info!!! Great ending though.

 

ACTING:

Having a film with an ensemble cast will always make it hard to narrow down which actor outshines in a movie. It is a great pleasure to see veteran actors Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman together on-screen again after the Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy. This is worth a ticket in itself.

 

Mark Ruffalo (center) as the lead FBI investigator

 

FILMING:

The camera shots and movements were pretty great, especially when it involves crane work (that's high angle shots for those who do not know). Visual effects were moderate but I do like the snappy editing.

 

PACING:

It is a crime caper film. Which means more action, less talk. It feels fast at times but in the middle of the film, a little draggy. Sometimes I felt like they should quickly get to a turning point and find a resolution.

 

TONE (MOOD):

It is set in New York, Las Vegas, and New Orleans. I like to call this film a 'hipster' film, for the young and dangerous so to speak.

DOWNSIDE:

Too many plot holes. Tries to be too much and ends up too little to desire.

UPSIDE:

A surprise ending.

OVERALL:

Despite a plot line with twists, in fact TOO MANY, it is fun. Too many action scenes made it exciting but too many can be a bit tiring too. It does have a good climactic (most seem to like just the end part), but my standards of suprise ending are even higher than this (think The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis). Watch it if you have nothing else to watch.

 

RATING:

6.5 out of 10