Magic Camp

8/19/2020

Great watch, will watch again, and do recommend. I saw Adam Devine first (on Disney+ of all places, he's not usually Disney compliant), and said, "Oh this will be good, at least I won't have to pay close attention.", then saw "Magic Camp", and said, "Sold!", knowing I'd have to be watching magic tricks. I'm a fan of magic, but I tend to watch them like I do movies, critically. And when they're in movies ("Now You See Me") what you're actually watching for is what is semi-legitimate and what is a movie magic effect. While the beginning is a little disappointing, it has to do with the establishing part of the movie. The (obvious) misdirection of it also parallels a magic trick, as does the pace of the movie (and it's directly discussed in the movie.). Suddenly discovering Jillian

11/20/2020

Adam DeVine is good, but <em>'Magic Camp'</em> is formulaic and plain. It does end up having a minute amount of charm to it, but for the most part it's predictable and cringey - due to its forced, if admittedly hearty, set of narratives for the characters. The ending, when all that comes to the fore, is a little sickly. The magic tricks are done well, mind. DeVine is enjoyable, though I already like him from TV's <em>'Workaholics'</em> so that may play a part in how I see him in this. Jeffrey Tambor is solid, while Nathaniel McIntyre does a fine job in the lead role. Too queasy for my liking. "Institute of Magic" would've been such a better title, by the way.