2013 Summer Movie Season - Now You See Me: Review & Analysis

Behind The Smoke and Mirrors!!! Magician Caper Film Is Compelling and Engaging Brain Trip!!!

Review By: Brandon Porter

 

 
 









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  










Jack Wilder, J. Daniel Atlas, Henley Reeves, and Merritt Osbourne
The Four Horseman!!!!

Story

   Across The United States, There are many forms of magicians. These performers spend years of their lives training and practicing to amaze their audience and bend the limits of reality. However, there is one trick that has yet to be attempted and will take the world by storm. Four talented magicians: J. Daniel Atlas (The Tricky Control freak) (Jesse Eisenberg), Jack Wilder (The Card Wielding Street Punk) (Dave Franco), Henley Reeves (The Sexy Escape Artist) (Isla Fisher), and Merritt Osbourne (The Mind- Toying Mentalist) (Woody Harrelson) are brought together by a mysterious benefactor to help with a daring trick that will get them into a top secret society. Over the course of a year, the four rename themselves the Four Horseman, who three part spectacle amazes their audience but also robs the rich of their spoils. Determined to bring these Robin Hood type thieves to justice, Detective Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) along with his new partner Alma Vargas (Mélanie Laurent) embark on a wild chase across the country that will test their wit, faith, and mental prowess as they try to catch these clever and highly qualified magical capers.



Rhodes and Vargas Question Atlas At The Precinct Interrogation Room

 

 

Analysis

  An intriguing film is what Now You See Me was at first glance. However, selling a film about magicians robbing banks just didn’t scream box office winner. When the film opened on May 31^st, things seemed to turn around and people soon started to take notice. Despite a below average 44% from rotten tomatoes, there were still plenty amount of praise to given to this summer movie season underdog. Peter Hammond of Movieline Stated that the film was, "Pure summer movie magic- literally.” He commented that Now You See Me was “More fun than ocean's 11, 12, and 13 combined. You won't believe your eyes- and that's the point.” Box office wise, the film won Friday’s box office battle with $10 million dollars barely beating out the $9.8 million posted by Will and Jaden Smith’s After Earth. Though it probably will not beat After Earth in the weekend box office category, Now You See Me is still projected to be a success among Lionsgate for the film is said to possibly make $23 million combined. Despite the competion it faces, Now You See Me stands tall among the crowd and looks to pull off a great opening weekend and establish itself as the true surprise film of the summer.

Atlas, Merritt, and Henley among their fans in New York


 

 

Review

   In the early stages of the Summer Movie Season, Now You See Me wasn’t anywhere on my radar. However, I took in a showing of on opening night and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. This film has all the makings of a solid sleeper hit. One of the biggest strengths of the film was its roller coaster plot. The entire movie felt like a magic act in itself. Just when you think you have the film figured out, it hits you with not one but two huge curve balls that will have you scrambling to pick up the pieces. Word to the wise: pay very close attention to the film or you will get lost very easily. Acting was also another strong presence in the film. Jesse Eisenberg was solid as Atlas, Isla Fisher had a solid presence portraying Escape artist Henley and looked extremely sexy doing it, Dave Franco did well as Jack Wilder and in some scenes looked like a splitting image of his brother James, and Woody Harrelson, who has shown time and time again his tremendous resolve and versatility as an actor, gave his all as mentalist Merritt Osbourne delivering another strong performance. Mark Ruffalo made his presence felt in the film as well. Despite the antics his character face, he still delivered a strong protagonist that doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. Now You See Me is an endless foray of twist and turns that won’t let up until the credits roll. Despite the competion it faces, this film established itself as a strong candidate for the year’s biggest surprise hit.

 Rating and Final Thoughts

                Nothing about this film may jump out and catch people’s attention at first glance, but after peeling back the layers, you discover that there is more than meets the eye with this fun, engaging, and underrated Caper film.

The lack of critical response and or financial strength is truly an illusion in its own right for it actually overshadows what a true gem that this film really is.