With all
the heavy-hitter franchises, reboots, and adaptations that usually saturate
theaters over the summer months, releasing a genuinely original film can be
risky, so filmmakers and studio decision makers had better pray for a
star-studded cast and intriguing premise.
And with Now You See Me,
director Louis Leterrier and Summit Entertainment seemed to find a perfect
balance, leveraging juggernaut star power with an exciting hybrid of The Prestige and Ocean’s Eleven. I had high
hopes for what Leterrier could accomplish alongside such a diverse cast that
would appeal across numerous demographics; Dave Franco is the rising star, Isla
Fisher is the perpetual heartthrob, and both Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg
represent the reliable troublemakers…talk about a great team. Movies centered on the world of magicians
have had a shaky record at the box office, but with downright awesome trailers
and a release date perfectly timed to act as a refreshing change from regular cinematic
fare, Now You See Me could trick even
the most astute of industry analysts. My
ticket was bought the second Jesse Eisenberg used sleight of hand to escape his
handcuffs, so I couldn’t wait to confirm my suspicions that this caper thriller
would represent the biggest surprise of the 2013 Summer Movie Season.
Engrossing,
creative, and overflowing with clever twists and tricks that demand multiple
viewings, Now You See Me is
wonderfully original and has all the style and flair of the best shows found on
the Vegas Strip. The magic tricks and
heist plots featured throughout the narrative are downright fun and exciting,
only to be enhanced further by the impressive chemistry between the cast
members. The overarching plot may be
difficult to follow from time to time, but the climactic twist is so
well-executed and enlightening that you almost appreciate being tricked by all
the misdirection. And while most of the
CGI could have used some refining and Morgan Freeman has definitely seen better
days, the project in its entirety is still so charming that any missteps seem
menial. So, whether you are a fan of
heist films or someone who has practiced card tricks over and over, you cannot
afford to miss Now You See Me.
Overall
Recommendation: Very High
