Now You See Me starring Jessie Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Michael Caine and Woody Harrelson, tells the tale of a group of illusionists who pull off an amazing bank heist during a performances and for the audience a winner gives them the money they have just stolen.
Of course, this is illegal so the FBI and Interpol team up to to track and apprehend the illusionist thievses. Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo), an F.B.I. agent, and Alma Dray (Mélanie Laurent), an Interpol detective are the “good guys” out to catch the thieves who call themselves “The Four Horsemen.”
This movie has a lot of spoilers so I will focus on my thoughts on the movie as a whole. I did have expectations based on the trailer thinking it’s an interesting premise, magic, big bank heist, cat and mouse game between the illusionists and the authorities. I did think for the most part, that it was a good movie that I enjoyed but you do have to suspend belief at points and again there are many spoilers. The first half of the movie is good as it introduces the characters and focuses on the performances and the “how they do that”. Then it devolves into who is The Four Horseman’s handler and the requisite car chase through Chinatown, New York City (I have no idea how they filmed those scenes since Chinatown is impossibly busy all the time.)
I actually thought the acting was good although I can not figure out if I like Jesse Eisenberg as an actor when he isn’t playing Mark Zuckerberg type characters. He has the arrogance thing down but the charisma thing is missing especially for this character.
All in all I did like the movie for the illusions because they are pretty cool but there is little character development of the illusionists (really how did they get to be so good?) And The FBI and Interpol should sue for defamation of character. Between the television show The Following and now this movie, the agents all seem insanely incompetent.
The movie is rated PG 13 for language, some action and sexual content.
Would I recommend this movie? Yes and No. It’s not perfect but if you are looking for fun entertainment that holds your attention for 2/3 of movie and you like seeing the illusions on the big screen then see it at the theatre but it’s okay to wait until it’s out on DVD.
Disclosure: NYC Single Mom was not compensated for this post. Yes, I do actually pay to see movies.
