Using intrigue, magic and robbery as the basic elements to weave a suspense drama, the film works because of its pace, performances and execution.
Film: Now You See Me
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mélanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman
Director: Louis Leterrier
Rating: ***
There is something about a right ensemble that takes a film to a different level of brilliance. Now You See Me has a lot to do with the casting and the actors selected to play these characters.
Using intrigue, magic and robbery as the basic elements to weave a suspense drama, the film works because of its pace, performances and execution.
We have Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Jesse Eisenberg and Dave Franco — the 'four horsemen', who are summoned to carry out an extraordinary stunt where they teleport one of their audience member to a Parisian bank stealing 30 million Euros.
This feat puts them in the spotlight and soon they draw the attention of detective Dylan (Mark Ruffalo) and Interpol agent Alma Dray (Melanie Laurent). What follows is a cat and mouse game between the magicians and those who want to expose their trickery.
The dialogues are smart, razor sharp and witty. Also performances are exemplary. Especially, Eisenberg who stands out in the cast and is so ahead of the curve in this game. Harrelson is in his element and both Caine and Freeman are leaders of the pack when it comes to giving noteworthy performances.
On the down side the second half seems rushed, and there are too many twists and turns that keep coming. Leterrier sems to be in a rush to draw the curtains on his act much before you actually start enjoying the show. Also, even though the characters are well written, none of them stay with you as the end credits roll.
Despite these limitations, Now You See Me makes for a decent thriller that opens with a bang, but fizzles out towards the end.
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