Now You See Me

In the space of a year, four un-heard of magicians come together to form the stage act ‘The Four Horsemen’, and become famous all over the world. One night in Las Vegas, they perform a major trick, where they rob a bank in Paris. They are then arrested, but let go soon after due to lack of evidence. The FBI with help from Interpol, assign two agents to investigate further!

Released in 2013, and directed by Louis Leterrier; Now You See Me is a heist movie, which tells the story of an FBI agent, looking into the seemingly illegal antics of a group of popular magicians. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Mark Ruffalo, with Mélanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Michael Kelly, David Warshofsky, and Common in supporting roles. This film was later followed by a sequel, with Lizzy Caplan replacing Isla Fisher, after Fisher dropped out of the picture due to being pregnant at the time of filming!

It is fair to assume that at somepoint in your life you will have heard of a pair of magicians called Penn and Teller. They are possibly the most well known magicians in the world, although most of their exposure has firmly been in America. Whilst they have performed a variety of tricks over the years, if you go looking for their work, you’ll likely discover either big stunt tricks (such as Penn driving a very large truck over Teller), or seriously dangerous one on a smaller scale (like using a nail gun for a ‘memorization’ performance). Although what does set them apart from most magicians, is their desire, to reveal to the audience, how exactly the trick is done (rather than let them consider it an actual magic trick). Such as in their version of the Cups and Balls trick, where they later switch to clear plastic cups.

So why am I telling you of two magicians who don’t actually make an appearance in this film? Well, from a casual observers stand-point, this film is a lot like a Penn and Teller show. It features large, and dangerous stunts, with a real entertaining value, whilst also demonstrating, what really happened.

Take for instance, the first major trick seen in the film by the Four Horsemen, where they rob a bank in Paris. It’s a very interesting watch from a viewer stand-point, with a moment which looks like the participant gets crushed, but then Morgan Freeman steps in, to explain how the trick was done.

The film features several of these moments, which shows how through the maticulous planning and practicing of the magicians, allows them to pull of major heists, and get away with them, very easily. From the replacement of a large safe full of money, for one filled with balloons, to the faking of a car crash on a busy bridge. All very dangerous, but all easily explained.

Whilst the film’s focus is definetely on the group of magicians, it can be quite confusing at times, to know who the real protagonists are, as the film keeps switching viewpoints? Whilst it’s suggested the real driving force behind the plot are the Horsemen, at times it can look like they are the antagonists, as they are a group of criminals, and the attitude ridden and unbeliving FBI agents are just trying to bring them to justice.

It just doesn’t help that the magicians are doing these heists out of morale reasons, whilst the agents have attitude problems. But again, it’s hard to pick a side, because neither is inherantly evil, or at least not as bad as Michael Caine’s character.

The FBI agents do have an ace up their sleeve (pun not intended, totally accidental) though, in that they have an outsider. Mélanie Laurent plays the part of the fish out of water Interpol agent, who is assaigned to assist, possibly due to the first crime taking place in France (although this is never mentioned). Laurent’s character really brings the FBI down to earth, as she is just trying to help out, rather than trying to make a big bust out of egotistical reasons. She does have a mysterious vibe about her, but this allows her a chance to look different, and out of place, and in a sense the stand-out character of the entire film, which she achieves by being the quietest.

Now You See Me is a very fun film. It features the precision, action, and detail of heist movies, but combines them with a more magical approach, creating moments that at first look impossible to determine, but are then easily explained. It features an ensemble cast, allowing some to perform in roles that they are comfortable fitting in with, whilst giving others a chance to play parts they are not well known for. The details are fascinating to discover, whilst also featuring plenty of unforseen twists. It is a very fun and visually entertaining film, but features plenty of drama to allow it to have a more serious side too!