MOVIE REVIEW - Now You See Me

A big cast is assembled for the new magical thriller, Now You See Me this weekend.  And this is a real nice change for the summer at the movies.

I always give extra points to movies that find stories that you have not seen before, and this is certainly one of them.  In short, it is the story of 4 relatively unknown, young magicians that are courted silently by a mystery person to pull off the largest allusions live and on stage.  The trick though is, all of these allusions are real, and are designed to be some of the biggest financial crimes the world has ever seen.   They become known as The Four Horsemen, as they become a huge sensation with their trace of Robin Hood blood in them, as they seemingly are robbing the rich and giving to the done-wrong.  Can anyone get ahead of them?  Can the FBI bring them in? And who is the mystery person anyway?  That is NYSM.

This is a wildly entertaining movie that not only takes you inside the tricks they are pulling off, but takes you behind the tricks.  It takes you behind some of the basic tricks that magicians pull off every day.  A whole lot of this is very fun, and very compelling.  The first half of this movie is very glitzy, and very show-bizy, and really fun and all encompassing.

The second half of this does become far more action-y, as the chase heats up and our Horsemen are on the run from the FBI, Interpol, and a former magician who is bent on exposing them for what they really are, criminals.   This movie quickly develops really good and original characters that are fun to get to know.   All different and interesting. There is just enough brain, mystery, and action to keep you guessing, and inside the movie.

Huge cast, take a look at this list.  Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, and Michael Cane.  Plus, a very nice supporting cast that really elevate this movie to more than just a throw away summer movie. This is filmed and edited wonderfully, weaving together with a nice mix of special effects and a slick and exciting musical soundtrack that make this a terrific audio and visual experience.

Now You See Me.  Very good, and very fun!  Well done.