What happens when you take Ocean’s 11 heist vibe and throw some magic at it? Well, you could come back with something like Now You See Me. While it doesn’t have all the star power of the Soderbergh film, Now You See Me is fairly entertaining and has some solid casting.

Mark Ruffalo plays FBI agent Dylan Rhodes, who alongside an Interpol agent, Alma Dray (Melanie Laurent) finds themselves investigating a group of illusionists who are apparently robbing banks while on stage.

The Four Horsemen, J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Henley (Isla Fisher), and Jack (Dave Franco) have been recruited by an unknown benefactor to perform three shows. These three shows will unite them, and steal large sums of money and redistribute them to the needy.

There are lots of fun visual effects, but there are a few times when they cross the line. Yes, the magic has to look real, but also has to be explainable as an illusion in the real world. And there are a few moments when that just doesn’t work for the film.

Having said that, it’s a fairly entertaining romp. There are twists and reveals, even though the narrative constantly reminds you, and hints, that not to look closely, look at the whole thing. When you do that, you can see it, but it’s still a pretty entertaining ride.

The supporting cast also includes Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman and some fun looking set pieces and location work.

The story is fast-paced and glossy, there’s lots of banter, and all of the performers lean into their characters, bringing them to life in an enjoyable way. It’s fun when you realize the group is stealing from the rich to give to the poor, and that there’s something bigger going on behind-the-scenes.

Eisenberg can be off-putting for me every now and again, but surrounding him with solid actors to banter and interact with was a good call. Ensemble pieces like this can be a lot of fun, and seems enjoyable for all the actors.

There’s lots of fun illusions, some real, and some created by visual effects (which push the viewer out of the narrative) and the film is intent on feeling like a romp. It twists, turns, and even the main characters are given a couple of reveals they don’t expect.

It’s fairly entertaining, and watching Rhodes chase the group down, trying to out think and out maneuver them is really enjoyable. Ruffalo is just such a joy to watch in everything he does, he makes it all look so easy.

It’s not a life-changing film, but it’s entertaining enough, and also spawned a sequel, which I will have to take a look at it short order I think. Honestly, it was fun.