Now You See Me

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

 

Now You See Me

Release Date:   31 May 2013                                                               Runtime:  115 Minutes              

Review Date:  25 August 2013                                                             Rating:  5 (of 6)

 

     It should come as no surprise that sleight of hand and misdirection are among the elements that help keep Now You See Me interesting as the viewer tries to figure out the mystery at hand.

     The movie opens with us becoming acquainted with solo magicians (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco) and their foray into becoming the group act The Four Horsemen.  But no sooner do we get to know them that the perspective then changes to that of the FBI agent (Mark Ruffalo) and his team pursuing them, where it stays for the majority of the film, occasionally shifting back to the magicians.  But even that perspective shifts, sometimes from their point of view and other times relayed by an Illusion Exposer (Morgan Freeman) dispensing how he thinks they're carrying out their escapades.

     There are many components in play but remember, "the closer you look, the less you'll see."