‘Now You See Me’ Review

‘Now You See Me’ Review

Louis Leterrier's Now You See Me tells the story of four illusionists seemingly brought together for a great purpose, one surrounded in magic and mysticism. At least, that's what the first act of the film and marketing will tell you. Instead, the film sort of follows four people, with their quasi-leader Jesse Eisenberg playing an unlikable dick, James Franco's younger brother getting one worthy action sequence near the end, Woody Harrelson getting a few smiles and Isla Fisher getting to wear gloves and show cleavage. Throw in an angry Mark Ruffalo and a pair of subplots - one that disappears and another that comes together with a nonsensical twist - and we have a movie that's not only poorly constructed, but fails in the basics of giving viewers interesting and engaging magic tricks to follow along with and have explained. Instead, the non-magical parts of the film look incredibly fake, whether it be unnecessary CG effects or over-the-top chase sequences, leaving no room for the magic... to be magical. Now You See Me is as confusing as it is disappointing and its greatest illusion was tricking people into seeing it in theaters to earn $300 million+ and a sequel.

Now You See Me

Film Quality
Story & Characters
Magic

Fail

Now You See Me's greatest illusion was tricking people into seeing it in theaters

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Louis Leterrier’s Now You See Me tells the story of four illusionists seemingly brought together for a great purpose, one surrounded in magic and mysticism. At least, that’s what the first act of the film and marketing will tell you.

Instead, the film sort of follows four people, with their quasi-leader Jesse Eisenberg playing an unlikable dick, James Franco’s younger brother getting one worthy action sequence near the end, Woody Harrelson getting a few smiles and Isla Fisher getting to wear gloves and show cleavage.

Throw in an angry Mark Ruffalo and a pair of subplots – one that disappears and another that comes together with a nonsensical twist – and we have a movie that’s not only poorly constructed, but fails in the basics of giving viewers interesting and engaging magic tricks to follow along with and have explained.

Now You See Me Movie Poster

Instead, the non-magical parts of the film look incredibly fake, whether it be unnecessary CG effects or over-the-top chase sequences, leaving no room for the magic… to be magical.

Now You See Me is as confusing as it is disappointing and its greatest illusion was tricking people into seeing it in theaters to earn $300 million+ and a sequel.

Written by Rob Keyes