"How Real Is the Magic in Now You See Me? " Topic

"Lots of people talk about "movie magic," but when films need a little actual abracadabra they call on David Kwong.

Kwong is the founder of the Misdirectors Guild, a firm that has offered magical advice on films ranging from Red Lights to The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. You can see his latest tricks in the film Now You See Me, which opens today and follows a group of magicians known as the Four Horsemen who magically rob the rich and give to the poor. Although his advice is usually limited to individual tricks, Kwong got involved with the film very early on and made sure director Louis Leterrier layered magic concepts into the story itself. The fact that the magicians are always one step ahead of everyone? That's his doing. So is one very special part of the movie's final heist involving a rabbit box.…"
Full article and trailer here.
link

Amicalement
Armand

Don't want to read the tricks, as I may see that film.

But continuing the topic regarding other films, I was disappointed that The Prestige used an impossible device for its "great trick" (though, in defense, the story is a science fiction story, not a magician story).

I was also disappointed that The Illusionist, while ostensibly using real magician's trickery and (hypothetical) devices for the plot points, nevertheless used CGI to produce the magician's effects, rather than the devices he was supposedly using. Great story, but bad filming decision. If it's supposed to be a magician's special effect, have a plausible method for achieving the effect and use that method. That may mean the camera has to come from a single POV during the trick, but that's how many magician's tricks work— if it's all about the viewing angle, it's not a cheat to keep the camera at that angle.

I'm seeing it tonight.

The only illusionist I trust is GOB Bluth!