Now You See Me
Directed by: Louis Leterrier Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman Rating: PG-13 Release Date: May 31, 2013
Trailer Score: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: Earlier this week a friend of mine asked what I thought about Now You See Me. My only response was wondering whether it starred Michael Cera or Jesse Eisenberg. Before you say, "They're not even that similar!" know that my uncertainty was because I knew this was about criminal illusionists and I knew of another film starring one of them called Magic Magic. So get off my back! Anyway, he sounded very excited about this one, so that was in the back of my mind while watching this trailer. And I completely see where that excitement is coming from. This looks like a fun, stylish film with a great cast to boot.
I had a bit of hesitation accepting often introverted Jesse Eisenberg as a big time magician, but in the smaller moments I completely buy him. The interrogation scene where he tells Mark Ruffalo, "First rule of magic: Always be the smartest guy in the room," is a fun moment and he sells the cockiness well. The magic/bank robbery scenes look quite fun and energetic as well. Another highlight is Mélanie Laurent. She doesn't really do much, but her presence is more than enough. At the end of the trailer, Morgan Freeman intones, "Look closely, because the closer you think you are, the less you'll actually see." It's no, "Now you're looking for the secret. But you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled," from The Prestige, but it's still a pretty good line to go out on.
Watching Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco play illusionist Robin Hoods is sure to be fun. I'm more excited to discover what their grand trick is. Morgan Freeman promises it will amaze, and when has that voice ever led us astray?