So disappointing...

Rating: 4/10 (29 March 2015)

Okay, this movie has such a great setup. Magicians and crime is like peanut butter and jelly. And it's also nice to see illusionists in a more modern, down-to-earth story than those 18th century fantasy movies of which I'm getting a little tired at this point. So this movie builds anticipation. Even better, an enjoyable cast (Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson vs. Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman? That's forcing us to give them our money) pretty much does what they can to save this movie, but it's not enough. This movie has two main problems.
First off, Mélanie Laurent's character. It's kind of underdeveloped and doesn't really lend much to the movie. I guess they just needed to throw romance in there somewhere. But she's annoying! She just ticked me off throughout the whole movie. I just waited the whole time to see where she fit in, but the movie never really absorbed her.
Secondly, the ending. Holy cow, the ending. This is one of the worst movie endings I have ever seen. Yes, I did not see it coming... oh wait, I kind of did. It's such a formulaic resolution that you can't help but ponder during some of the draggy parts of the second act over how they're going to end the movie. From a logical standpoint, yes, it's kind of weak. I mean, he put all of his life's work into getting revenge on these guys, some of whom didn't really have much to do with his father's death, in such a shady way... it's just... beyond logical. Don't think about it, that's the logic of this movie. It's also just lazy writing. They took a premise they knew would make money and just threw in a pretty girl, maybe an Oscar winner or two (three if you include Common's Oscar win for Selma), and a lame plot twist to boot.
Maybe watch this movie if you want to. It's not unwatchable, but it will frustrate you.