Come in close, because the more you think you see, the easier it'll be to fool you - Now you See Me Review

Can l just start by saying l adored this film - it’s got a bit of everything, it twists and turns and keeps you guessing through the whole time and just when you think you have figured it out they reveal another twist and move onto the next one. It’s difficult but I really don’t want to give anything away in this movie. The basic plot is four illusionists (who become the Four Horsemen) with different skills are mysteriously enticed into working for a hidden trickster. They devise elaborate crimes while being pursued by the FBI and Interpol, and if they can pull it all off they’ll get a reward beyond their imagination.

The cast in this movie is large but everyone had a part to play. There is a main character in my opinion but l’m not saying who or why- that’s something you need to figure out for yourself. Our four magicians are J. Daniel (Jesse Eisenberg), Merrit (Woody Harrelson), Henley (Isla Fisher) and Jack (Dave Franco). None of the actors or characters is weak & they all hold their parts and play them well. Woody Harrelson stood out for me, his comedic wit works well, it’s understated and he delivers his lines perfectly. I think Dave Franco (James Franco’s brother) has a promising career ahead of him. He acts well and even though he shares the screen with 3 other magicians you can’t help but watch him when he’s on screen. These were my favourite group of characters and they worked well together and drew you in, making you want to see more of them.

Mark Ruffalo plays Dylan Rhodes, a tired somewhat unkempt FBI agent who is the one tasked with chasing the magicians and he is always one step behind them. Even when he thinks he’s getting somewhere the tables are turned and the FBI is made to look like fools. He plays his part well and you almost start to feel sorry for him but this doesn’t stop you cheering on our 4 Horsemen. His partner is Alma, a French detective from Interpol (played by Melanie Lauren). For the most part l like her, she plays her part and she and Mark play off one another well, unlike Mark’s character she believes in the magic and is interested in figuring out the magician’s tricks. There is a small sub plot between these two characters, which while it didn’t bother, me l felt was a bit superfluous.

Michael Caine plays Arthur Tressler, as always Michael plays his part fantastically it’s not a large part but it’s needed, and then we have the magnetic presence of Morgan Freeman playing Thaddeus Bradley - his character is known for debunking magicians ...their characters are perceived as observers really - watching the goings on the side lines on and you’re not sure how much they really know or whose side they are actually on.

The cast in this movie is strong. Not one person puts in a weak performance & all characters are believable. I have read on some reviews that they felt there was no character development but l don’t think this is true. If we were to learn too much about our characters it would give away too many plot twists. We are given enough to know what drives them and their purpose in the main scheme & this is all that’s needed.

The Four Horsemen have 3 shows through the movie. We start in Las Vegas, then New Orleans and finally New York and they merged well together. The cinematography in this film was fantastic - especially the chase through New Orleans and the sweeping views of New York City at night, it drew you in enough to make you think you were there. Then there was the music, which subtlety changed depending on what city we were in, adding another dimension.

It’s clear the director and writers worked together on this film, the movie doesn’t falter and there is a good mix of action while not losing the storyline. While the story is not exactly light you can follow it if you watch closely and listen hard enough to everything being said (even so mum and l didn’t guess the final twist till it was nearly revealed.) From what l can tell the plot holes were little and only a few things weren’t explained (the bubble trick being one) and these aren’t enough to make you question the film story line or disappoint you.

Overall this has been my favourite movie of the year (so far) and one I want to see again before it leaves the big screen, l think a second viewing would reveal a lot more. l have read there are rumours of a sequel and l hope these are true as l don’t feel l have seen enough of our Four Horsemen.