Girls of Geek Movie Review: Now You See Me

Written by Scotty

Now who does not enjoy a good magic trick?  Even when growing up, I enjoyed the illusions that magicians put out in front of me.  Even if it was not real, my head would be filled with joy as a quarter was pulled out of my ear, or a rabbit was pulled out of hat.  I never really cared about the validity of the trick as it was mainly for entertainment purposes, but sometimes I would try to figure out how they did it so I could try to do it myself.

Four struggling magicians have been sought out to join forces to create the largest magic show ever comprised.  With everyone already knowing each other and their acts, it is a winning combination that will leave the world breathless.  Being backed by a rich benefactor, the group has sold their show idea and now has to put it into motion to gain the fanfare of the public.

Even though the group does not know who they are working for, they are being led by Daniel Atlas who is trying to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. Being joined by his old assistant Henley Reeves, a mentalist Merritt McKinney and a street performer Jack Wilder the group incorporates all of the greatest magic tricks that will fill the arena.  But their newest trick gets the attention of the FBI as they robbed a bank in Paris and gave all of the money to their fans in the audience. 

Now being tracked by Agent Rhodes of the FBI and Agent Dray from Interpol, the group of magicians has to stay with the script that they have been provided with to keep ahead of the law.  When the group is called in for questioning in the bank robbery that took place at their show, they made sure not to answer any question directly and showed off their skills to prove that their skills were real, but if they were arrested, that would only make the agencies look foolish by admitting that they believed in magic and that would only make the show more popular.  Trying to figure out what the Four Horsemen would try to do next, Agent Rhodes has called for help from a man that has made his living from debunking the tricks, but not really understanding what is in store, Rhodes always seems to be a step behind the group as they end up redistributing their benefactor’s money.

Now You See Me follows agents Rhodes and Dray as they try to figure out the grand design of what the Four Horsemen are trying to accomplish.  With every magician in the group having their own set of skills of deception, it is next to impossible to get a read on them.  After their first show was a success, the group sets their sights higher and redistributes all of their benefactor’s money to the people of New Orleans that were shorted after the hurricane took their livelihood away and the insurance company would not cover their losses.  With now making more enemies than friends the group has set their sights higher once again, but when a magic debunker is now being paid by the man they stole from, the ‘Robin Hoods’ of magic will have to watch their steps as everyone is looking to stop them before their next grand illusion. 

Just a great storyline with some of the best actors in the game all coming into make, dare I say it, something magical.  Even in a movie, their tricks are just as good as if you have seen them on a street corner.  With plenty of levity in the film as well, it is hard not to fall in love with the Four Horsemen as they are trying to reach their ultimate goal.  Also watching how agent Rhodes has to learn how to accept that he is being played by the magical group and has to put his trust into people he does not really know is great for his character.  Can you ever trust a magician….I mean really trust one as they are just trying to make you look one way as they can literally steal the rug right out from under you.  Happy Viewing.

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