Now You See Me Reviews
Cynthia S
Super Reviewer
June 1, 2013
Very enjoyable, and lots of fun! Excellent special effects. Not meant for those who cannot suspend reality for a moment...it is meant for people like me who can enjoy a good, fast, unbelievable ride! Really well done film...
skactopus
Super Reviewer
September 28, 2013
Louis Leterrier displays an illusion on Now You See Me.Apparently, 105 minutes of trickery is wildly amusing in its own magical way. The story constantly leads the viewer on a ride into the unknown, and despite an unfulfilling conclusion, the revelations of plot details appear at appropriate moments.Magic tricks may take a back seat in this picture; however, the effects do sparkle from time to time, leading to an overly visualized production without much substance to back it up.The plethora of characters works both for and against this film. Being able to follow the different characters avoids staleness, but at the same time there is no chance to get know them fully. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and the rest of the ensemble cast deliver as expected.Now You See Me is a better than average production with enough to bedazzle the eyes.
Thomas J
Super Reviewer
June 9, 2013
As can be seen, critics did not like it, but look at the "general" ratings! lol Some movies are simply designed to entertain and this movie sure did that! Or was I just part of the illusion? lol
Al S
Super Reviewer
November 29, 2012
A sharp, stylish and engaging classic. A great piece of sensational fun from start to finish. A terrific mix of dazzling illusion, sizzling suspense and exhilarating action that makes for an exciting and over the top good time. It's smart, funny, fresh and wickedly original film that delivers much more than you would expect and packs some impressive twist and turns. It's the most enjoyable and insanely cool thrill-ride of the year. A tremendously entertaining and spectacular thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The all-star cast is just too good to pass up, they are all having a great time and have wonderful chemistry together. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher are just a blast to watch. Mark Ruffalo is excellent. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are brilliant. Director, Louis Leterrier crafts his most compelling and enjoyable work to date as a director.
MANUGINO
Super Reviewer
July 18, 2013
Good movie! The film was so much more enjoyable than I thought it would be from watching the trailers. It has a lot of wit, clever plot, suspense, magic, humor, twists, and action. It has something for everybody. The acting was great overall and I really liked the characters. It makes you want to go back and see it twice to understand it better, and just like all magic tricks, some of it can't be explained and you are left with no answer but to believe that what you saw was true. And to me that's fun!
Four magicians each answer a mysterious summons to an obscure address with secrets inside. A year later, they are the Four Horseman, big time stage illusionists who climax their sold out Las Vegas show with a bank apparently robbed for real. This puts agents Dylan Rhodes of the FBI and Alma Vargas of Interpol on the case to find out how they did it. However, this mystery proves difficult to solve even with the insights of the professional illusion exposer, Thaddeus Bradley. What follows is a bizarre investigation where nothing is what it seems with illusions, dark secrets and hidden agendas galore as all involved are reminded of a great truth in this puzzle: the closer you look, the less you see.
The closer you look, the less you'll see.
Good movie! The film was so much more enjoyable than I thought it would be from watching the trailers. It has a lot of wit, clever plot, suspense, magic, humor, twists, and action. It has something for everybody. The acting was great overall and I really liked the characters. It makes you want to go back and see it twice to understand it better, and just like all magic tricks, some of it can't be explained and you are left with no answer but to believe that what you saw was true. And to me that's fun!
Four magicians each answer a mysterious summons to an obscure address with secrets inside. A year later, they are the Four Horseman, big time stage illusionists who climax their sold out Las Vegas show with a bank apparently robbed for real. This puts agents Dylan Rhodes of the FBI and Alma Vargas of Interpol on the case to find out how they did it. However, this mystery proves difficult to solve even with the insights of the professional illusion exposer, Thaddeus Bradley. What follows is a bizarre investigation where nothing is what it seems with illusions, dark secrets and hidden agendas galore as all involved are reminded of a great truth in this puzzle: the closer you look, the less you see.
YodaMasterJedi
Super Reviewer
August 29, 2013
three stars...
familiar s
Super Reviewer
August 27, 2013
The supernatural thriller (lots of acts seemingly been far more than mere magical tricks) manages to hold the attention as a mindless entertainer, but I wish it weren't so awfully miscast. Worse thing, I guess, is that I gotta bear them in the next one too.
Jose Z
Super Reviewer
August 24, 2013
Enjoyable, entertaining and unpredictable. The story is very interesting, A movie full of twists and with an awesome cast
TomBowler
Super Reviewer
August 8, 2013
Clever enough throughout with some great performances from its likable leads, though the finish lacks some punch. Full review later.
Albert K
Super Reviewer
June 13, 2013
"Now You See Me" is one of those films that aspires to baffle audience's minds with a grand twist that no one is able to predict, but it's done in such over-exaggerated fashion; reminds me of "Lucky Number Slevin".
The premise is a strange one: magicians pulling off a real heist in front of an audience to have them marvel over the mysterious qualities of magic. If there was a plot that broke all suspension of disbelief, here it is. Oh, and you can see that this movie wants to throw a game-changing twist at the end that'll leave audiences with their jaws dropped to the floor. But by the end of the movie, you can't help but think that filmmakers made too many compromises with the plot just for the element of surprise. Undeniably, you won't see the twist, but that's because the twist is just too far-fetched. Okay, so let's say that the twist wasn't as compelling as the movie wanted it to be. How's the plot? Well, because everything's riding on the twist to be a haymaker, everything else is basically foreplay for the ending. And you know what? Movies that do that are usually pretty entertaining. I'm sad to say that "Now You See Me" lands pretty low on that list.
"Now You See Me" is pretentious, flamboyantly squaking away, making promises that are never fulfilled. "Now You See Me", I'm sorry but I don't see you.
No, I don't see you.
"Now You See Me" is one of those films that aspires to baffle audience's minds with a grand twist that no one is able to predict, but it's done in such over-exaggerated fashion; reminds me of "Lucky Number Slevin".
The premise is a strange one: magicians pulling off a real heist in front of an audience to have them marvel over the mysterious qualities of magic. If there was a plot that broke all suspension of disbelief, here it is. Oh, and you can see that this movie wants to throw a game-changing twist at the end that'll leave audiences with their jaws dropped to the floor. But by the end of the movie, you can't help but think that filmmakers made too many compromises with the plot just for the element of surprise. Undeniably, you won't see the twist, but that's because the twist is just too far-fetched. Okay, so let's say that the twist wasn't as compelling as the movie wanted it to be. How's the plot? Well, because everything's riding on the twist to be a haymaker, everything else is basically foreplay for the ending. And you know what? Movies that do that are usually pretty entertaining. I'm sad to say that "Now You See Me" lands pretty low on that list.
"Now You See Me" is pretentious, flamboyantly squaking away, making promises that are never fulfilled. "Now You See Me", I'm sorry but I don't see you.
Universal D
Super Reviewer
July 23, 2013
Magic is the draw here, and dramatic music, sweeping camera flourishes and CGI all aid in the illusion that something impossible just happened ... only the real magic here is having so much creative topweight and using none of it. A good script, a superlative cast, a do anything crew, and no time spent on character development, that essential element that ensures one cares for the proceedings, without which even the best cast is reduced to smiling cardboard cutouts, literally an act of creative suicide. Freeman and Caine wrestle mightily to lift the dead horse, but no.
Sam B
Super Reviewer
May 31, 2013
Unfortunately, though the film avoids pulling a "Gangster Squad", it instead pulls a "Hancock". That movie notoriously built up a great first half only to introduce ludicrous plot developments, which killed the film just when it was reaching its peak. "Now You See Me" does exactly that, with a couple (that's right, more than one) second half plot twists that throw all logic out the window, and feel more like a flimsy attempt to channel "Fight Club", without setting the reveal up well throughout the movie, and barely trying to explain itself. As it stands, the film is still a cool, fast-paced adventure and I was glad to see just how much the cast helped elevate the film as a whole, but the execution towards the end makes me hesitant to recommend the movie unless you really love these actors, as I do.
I was worried that "Now You See Me" would pull a "Gangster Squad" and waste its amazing cast on a lazy script. Luckily, this movie avoids that pitfall with a story that actually tries to do something original. The magical twist on the heist genre makes for an immediately engaging plot, and each character gets at least one awesome moment to shine, and none of the actors felt like cameos in the same way that Morgan Freeman did in "Oblivion" just a month earlier.
Unfortunately, though the film avoids pulling a "Gangster Squad", it instead pulls a "Hancock". That movie notoriously built up a great first half only to introduce ludicrous plot developments, which killed the film just when it was reaching its peak. "Now You See Me" does exactly that, with a couple (that's right, more than one) second half plot twists that throw all logic out the window, and feel more like a flimsy attempt to channel "Fight Club", without setting the reveal up well throughout the movie, and barely trying to explain itself. As it stands, the film is still a cool, fast-paced adventure and I was glad to see just how much the cast helped elevate the film as a whole, but the execution towards the end makes me hesitant to recommend the movie unless you really love these actors, as I do.
ajaymuthecooldevils
Super Reviewer
July 2, 2013
FANTASTIC!!! If I could give 5 thumbs up or 11 star for this movie, I would really gave it.. With the help of amazing directing from Louis Leterrier and great cast with great story, this movie turns out into an amazing entertainment.. I must say I'm truly impressed..
Alice S
Super Reviewer
June 26, 2013
A rogue quartet of grifters and magicians execute an elaborate heist with the FBI and Interpol in hot pursuit. The illusions are visually stunning, the actors are charmingly smarmy, and the twists are plain old super fun.
Kase V
Super Reviewer
June 1, 2013
Though compelling with an unpredictable twist, 'Now You See Me's outcome proves to not be as promising as the entire movie seems to suggest. Harrelson seems to be the only character trying to gain audience attraction, and none of the cheap thrills seem to amount to anything. It pulls you in, but the magic just doesn't seem to be there.
cosmo313
Super Reviewer
April 23, 2013
And you know what? This film does mostly deliver.
It's a fun, breezy, and dazzling caper film about a group of magicians known as The Four Horsemen (even though one of them is a woman) who pull off a series of heists, but dress them up as magic acts. Hot on their tail in a game of cat and mouse are a determined FBI agent, a specialist from INTERPOL, and an ex-magician turned debunker, all of them with the shared goal of bringing the Horsemen down.
If you've seen a few movies about magicians, then you'll probably be able to see where some of this is going. There's plenty of twists and turns, but I wasn't able to guess all of them. That was part of the fun. Now, the film doesn't really hold up to much scrutiny, and it's probably not worth many repeat viewings, but it's a decent way to kill a couple of hours.
Where the film is lacking with character development, plotting and story, it more than makes up for it with stylish, flashy direction, tons of energy, and a top notch cast who all bring their A game. The Horsemen are played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco, and they have pretty good chemistry with one another, and seem to really be having a blast. Michael Caine is a financier for the group, the debunker is played by Morgan Freeman, and Mark Ruffalo and Melanie Laurent are the FBI and INTERPOL agents, respectively. Like I said, they all seem to care, and put some effort into this, and they really make the film worth seeing. Perhaps one of the best parts is a fight scene where Franco uses flash paper, playing cards, and sleight of hand techniques against Ruffalo and his cohorts. That's pretty funny and cool.
All in all, this is a better than average caper, and a pretty fun ride. It may not be airtight or intellectually stimulating, but I didn't feel duped by the time the end credits rolled.
Considering the cast (and to a lesser extent, the director), this had some real potential to be awesome.
And you know what? This film does mostly deliver.
It's a fun, breezy, and dazzling caper film about a group of magicians known as The Four Horsemen (even though one of them is a woman) who pull off a series of heists, but dress them up as magic acts. Hot on their tail in a game of cat and mouse are a determined FBI agent, a specialist from INTERPOL, and an ex-magician turned debunker, all of them with the shared goal of bringing the Horsemen down.
If you've seen a few movies about magicians, then you'll probably be able to see where some of this is going. There's plenty of twists and turns, but I wasn't able to guess all of them. That was part of the fun. Now, the film doesn't really hold up to much scrutiny, and it's probably not worth many repeat viewings, but it's a decent way to kill a couple of hours.
Where the film is lacking with character development, plotting and story, it more than makes up for it with stylish, flashy direction, tons of energy, and a top notch cast who all bring their A game. The Horsemen are played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco, and they have pretty good chemistry with one another, and seem to really be having a blast. Michael Caine is a financier for the group, the debunker is played by Morgan Freeman, and Mark Ruffalo and Melanie Laurent are the FBI and INTERPOL agents, respectively. Like I said, they all seem to care, and put some effort into this, and they really make the film worth seeing. Perhaps one of the best parts is a fight scene where Franco uses flash paper, playing cards, and sleight of hand techniques against Ruffalo and his cohorts. That's pretty funny and cool.
All in all, this is a better than average caper, and a pretty fun ride. It may not be airtight or intellectually stimulating, but I didn't feel duped by the time the end credits rolled.
Sanjay R
Super Reviewer
June 12, 2013
This may be the worst movie to come out this year. It is a classic case of a pretty good idea gone completely to waste. The writing is terrible, the plot holes are gaping, the acting is horrific and the directing is poor. This is an extremely poorly constructed film.
TheDudeLebowski65
Super Reviewer
April 18, 2013
So far this summer we've been treated to many great films. Now You See Me is yet another fun and highly entertaining film that delivers effective thrills to engage from the first frame onwards. With a great cast, interesting concept and effective directing, this film is a terrific summer picture that is sure to entertain anyone looking for a smart heist film that mixes different genre elements into one film. I found the film to be quite underrated, and though I can see why the film may have gotten bad reviews, it is much better than what you think. The film does have its flaws, but there is plenty here to enjoy. For me, this is Louis Leterrier's best work. The film will keep you guessing till the very end, and it is one of the best heist films in a long time. Although at times, the film does have a few weak areas that could have been improved upon, the good concept is what keeps you involved in the film's plot, and the varied cast of wonderful talent saves this film from being a total dud. Now You See Me is one of the most surprising films this summer, and I went in expecting a total failure, but I walked out pleasantly surprised. There's effective action, thrills and humor to make for a worthwhile two hours. Now You See Me is flawed in places, but manages to pull off something that is above average due to a well written script, and good performances from a cast that are just interesting to watch. Expect a good heist film with this one, but one that combines the magic into its plot in a way to really make you think about what's going on. The only downside to the film is that sometimes it does struggle with what type of film it's trying to be, but I guess in the end it's all part of the big picture. Even with all its imperfections, I really enjoyed the film, and it is another entertaining summer film that manages to be better than what everyone has claimed it to be. Go into this one with an open mind.
