#REVIEW: “NOW YOU SEE ME”

One-part Thriller, one-part electrifying Spectacle, Now You See Me is the latest effort from Director Louis Leterrier (The Transporter, Clash of the Titans).  Although some might struggle with a sharp tonal shift after its First Act, what amounts still is an over-the-top Thrill Ride, complete with an on-stage body pile, explosions and of course, some awesome Trickery.

Now You See Me centers on a mixed bag of personalities known as The Four Horsemen – a group of Illusionists who each are a Star in their own right – coming together to perform a Series of Bank Heists which reward their Audiences with the acquired fortunes.  We have the ultra-transparent Merritt Osbourne (Woody Harrelson) who with more than sharp precision can read one’s thoughts and just as ably hypnotize.  Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) is in full control of her girlish charm, proficient in death-defying stunts.  The quick and nimble Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) certainly is not one to be cornered, slightly greener than the others in his youth, yet eager to prove his worth. J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) exudes a confident showmanship and charisma to him as the World’s greatest Card Magician, which arguably places him at the front of The Four Horsemen.

Clueing into their almost Robin Hood-like yet highly illegal methods, both the FBI, with Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) overseeing the Investigation and a French Interpol Detective in Alma Vargas (Mélanie Laurent) are assigned to task, but like Sushi in the hands of the novice Chopstick user, the Quartet time and time again manage to slip away, leaving the Duo hot on the heels of the Horsemen, while at once scrambling to find their true motive.

The Film certainly is not without its flaws.  I’ll be the first to admit that I felt slightly misled into thinking Now You See Me was primarily about The Four Horsemen, but ultimately in its Second Act, we get the perspective of Ruffalo‘s Dylan, although this makes more sense  as the Plot thickens.  Despite some snappy and often funny dialogue between Harrelson, Fisher, Franco and Eisenberg igniting some sharp chemistry, I found myself hungering more for them.  Also, Writers Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt‘s insistence on a romantic plot line between Dylan and Alma somehow makes this  less unique a Story than it ultimately could have been.  That being said, Now You See Me by no means lacks in entertainment value –  it actually is exceedingly fun.  Moviegoers cannot deny that  really they get a Show here to feast their eyes and senses upon.

eOne Films releases Now You See Me on Friday, May 31, 2013.  Read our Chat with Jesse Eisenberg, who walked the Red Carpet at the Toronto Advance Screening of the Film earlier this week.