A convoluted revenge narrative, Now You See Me features four disparate illusionists brought together by a mysterious benefactor, who supplies them with the wherewithal to become the extraordinary magicians they cannot be on their own provided they enact his cunning master plan. The Four Horsemen, as they style themselves, soon find themselves hunted by the police and FBI when their outlandish, heavily publicised event illusions appear to be causing crimes to be committed. In turn, the FBI call upon the assistance of one Thaddeus Bradley, a former magician who now reveals the secrets of others for money, to figure out how theyre doing what theyre doing. Naturally, a film all about the delight in misdirection and surprise that is the basis of every good magic trick has a few tricks up its sleeve, and the denouement reveals that Special Agent Dylan Rhodes, the man in charge of the manhunt, is the Four Horsemens secret patron and mastermind of the whole tangled web hes supposedly investigation. All of the victims of the crimes being committed were partially responsible for the circumstances surrounding the death of his illusionist father: Bradley being the final man he held responsible, he arranged for him to be brought in to frame him for the other crimes. Like all good magnificent bast*rds, Rhodes plan is complex but makes complete sense once its laid out in front of you, and as played by Mark Ruffalo, hes not exactly lacking in charisma. Of course, since this is a film about very, very clever people, Now You See Me falls victim to the usual trap of not being as clever as it thinks it is it is, however, exactly as stylish as it thinks it is, and for a movie about magicians pulling off heists, style is key. And, like all good magnificent bast*rds, Rhodes makes sure to leave the ending open for a sequel
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
