NOW YOU SEE ME

Four magicians are invited to a derelict apartment where they’re given blueprints to a series of intricate illusions. One year later they perform their maiden magic show in Las Vegas as ‘The Four Horsemen,’ where they execute an actual bank robbery. This puts them on the radar of F.B.I. Agent Dylan Rhodes and Interpol Agent Alma Dray. The agents are baffled as to how the Horsemen pulled off the trick and employ the aid of Thaddeus Bradley, a career Magic Debunker. What ensues is a grand cat and mouse game where the closer you think you are to cracking the master plan, the less you’ll actually see.

Films have different affects on different viewers. What one may consider ‘good,’ another may deem ‘bad.’ Now You See Me is one of those silver screen gems that has visible flaws yet is entertainingly pristine. If you’re able to remove your Genius cap and put on your Dunce cap, then you’ll certainly enjoy this magic induced Heist-Movie. The fun begins with an ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ type introduction to the four main characters. J. Daniel Atlas the Illusionist, Henley Reeves the Escape Artist, Merritt McKinney the Mentalist and Jack Wilder the Street Magician are given a chance of achieving something they could only dream of. But first, the Horsemen must pull off three Robin Hood inspired magic tricks where they steal from the rich and give to the poor. Although the four seem to be running the show, they are merely following the instructions of a mysterious individual who has yet to reveal the hidden agenda.

People in showbiz, categorize a movie like NYSM as a High Concept Narrative. It’s a story that can be easily pitched and sold to a movie studio. What if four magicians rob a bank on a live Vegas show? “We’ll take it!” said the studio. The plot is passable but the twists start to get tangled from the start. Although the grander magic tricks are exposed and explained by Bradley, the writers failed to include another character who might explain the smaller tricks. How in the world did Atlas put the handcuff key inside the unopened Coke can? How did they put Reeves inside a giant floating soap bubble? The explanations for the magic as well as plot points are mostly nonsensical. Real life provides too many variables that can make well devised plans to unravel. But in this film’s reality everything goes according to plan however absurd the plan may be.

If Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige (2006) is the Rolls Royce of the ‘Magic Movie’ genre, then NYSM is definitely the Toyota Corolla. But regardless, this is a fun and entertaining film. The dialogue is sharp and the acting is enjoyable. Eisenberg, Harrelson, Fisher, Franco, Ruffalo, Laurent and Caine do their roles justice. Freeman on the other hand plays Freeman yet again. He’s one actor that certainly doesn’t lose himself in the roles he plays. The cinematography is constantly in motion, exactly how an action movie should be and the special effects are spot-on. Brian Tyler’s score from start to finish is exceptional and the editing is hyperactive. Louis Leterrier is no stranger to directing action films having done Clash of the Titans (2010) and The Incredible Hulk (2008) previously. Despite the irrationality of most of the magic and the lack of character growth, Leterrier has made a fast paced and fun filled movie. If you’re in the mood to watch a film that doesn’t task your brain cells, then this film is for you. Just don’t forget to switch your brain to standby mode before the film starts.

Rating: 7/10

S. V. Fernando