SummaryChristopher Nolan directs this mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences. (Touchstone Pictures)
SummaryChristopher Nolan directs this mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences. (Touchstone Pictures)
To talk more about the movie's layers is to risk giving away too much. I'll say only that this film confirms Nolan's status as the director whose work I look forward to more than any other.
For all the film's murky misdirections, it is very enjoyable. That's because Nolan's recreation of the illusionists' backstage world is so marvelously detailed, including as it does revelations of how some of their best tricks are accomplished.
Released in 2006, and currently on my Top 10 personal favorites list, The Prestige features some of the best modern actors and actresses to hit the silver screen. I will admit, I have seen this film quite a few times (I will tell you why later), and the more I watch this film the more I catch on to the little details. I mean (come on) this film has both Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as the main characters. The best part is they go head-to-head against each other (I know what your thinking, this film has both Batman and Wolverine... mind blown). Let me explain, this film is based in the late 1890's (possibly early 1900's, I can never really tell) in London, England as two magicians struggle against each other to give their audiences "the greatest" magic trick in the world. These two magicians are locked in a fierce rivalry against each other to the point were it affects the people around them. Each moment when one magician thinks he has the upper hand the tables turn to leave that magician only empty handed. Of course, being that this film is a Christopher Nolan flick, a bigger plot emerges that eventually puts a stop to this epic rivalry.
Besides the fact that this film is fun and interesting to watch, to understand this story completely you must watch this film again and again. This film is not The Matrix confusing, but in this film, every single detail is important to the story. It took me a few times to watch this film just to understand the ending. The performances of each of the actors and actresses is excellent, especially Christian Bale. This film must be one of his better films other than the Dark Knight series of course. This film also features several other familiar faces that the audience would appreciate. Not only does this film have the best actors in its corner, but a strong story line that carries this film all the way to the end. This film is one of best films about an individual's attempt to grasp the impossible and to stay ahead of his competition. The characters will soon discover that their pursuit for the impossible has taken them down a path that was unintended by each party.
Whenever I get an opportunity, I always make time to watch this film at least once a year. Nowadays, it doesn't seem like many people watch or even talk about this film. Which is a shame because this film is a good film, even better than films I have seen this year. If this film is not a classic now it should be in the future. Personally, I could watch this film at any time in the day, and it will still be good. Anyway, if you love films with plot twists, drama, rivalry, intense moments, and mystery then you will love this film.
In summary, this film is one of my personal favorites for a reason and that is because this film is the best. I recommend this film to anybody just looking for a solid film.
By describing the structure of a great trick in a movie about a great trick, The Prestige makes a promise it can't keep. Its third act is about as convincing as a photo of a cow jumping over the moon.
The Prestige is a trick box with too many false bottoms. Ultimately, the last one simply gives way -- leaving us with a hole, and a little residual darkness, but not much else.
A story of obsession and revenge told in an unconventional way.
It has the twists and turns you come to expect from Nolan.
Not Jackman or Bale's best work by a long shot, in many instances they both appear to be trying too hard.
Such a fuss has been made of this movie that I expected something out-of-the-box, and for anyone willing to believe the unbelievable it might even seem so. It’s another example of how moviegoers and makers have embraced the format of ‘Style over Substance’. Everything about the story is so far-fetched and unbelievable that most of the time it’s simply not worth even considering the outcomes. It’s presented as if its fiction-fact, then swings into ridiculous science-fiction; Human Cloning in the 1890s! (and regularly overnight at that) If it weren’t for some reasonably convincing performances from the leads, stylish art direction and production design, moody lighting and cinematography (except for some unsteady hand–held sections) this production would have fallen over in a heap. As it is, it holds it's own based on stylish looks smothered in over-done smoke and mirrors camouflage. Many seem to go for this style and bluster but some will come away feeling cheated and taken for fools (and not in any sort **** way), it doesn’t do to think too much about this type of basically too clever for its own good writing. Characters are bleak and over-the-top nasty, not leaving much (if anything) to admire.
The biggest surprise of the movie is how anyone can have one of the sexiest actresses in the Western world (ScarJo) and so under-use her in favor of a plot which filled me with utter disinterest at the climax. By the end I couldn't care less which character's dead and which is alive.