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Amazon.co.uk Review
The Prestige attempts a hat trick by combining a ridiculously good-looking cast, a highly regarded new director, and more than one sleight of hand. Does it pull it off? Sort of. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman play rival magicians who were once friends before an on-stage tragedy drove a wedge between them. While Bale's Alfred Borden is a more skilled illusionist, Jackman's Rufus Angier is the better showman; much of the film's interesting first half is their attempts to sabotage--and simultaneously, top--each other's tricks. Even with the help of a prop inventor (Michael Caine) and a comely assistant (Scarlett Johansson), Angier can't match Borden's ultimate illusion: The Transporting Man. Angier's obsession with learning Borden's trick leads him to an encounter with an eccentric inventor (David Bowie) in a second half that gets bogged down in plot loops and theatrics. Director Christopher Nolan, reuniting with his Batman Begins star Bale, demonstrates the same dark touch that hued that film, but some plot elements--without giving anything away--seem out of place with the rest of the movie. It's better to sit back and let the sometimes-clunky turns steer themselves than try to draw back the black curtain. That said, The Prestige still manages to entertain long after the magician has left the stage--a feat in itself. --Ellen A. Kim
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"The secret impresses no one. The trick you use it for is everything",
By M. B. Alcat "Curiosity killed the cat, but sa... (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Prestige [DVD] [2006] (DVD)
"The Prestige", based on a novel by Christopher Priest, is a movie that surprised me. I had heard that some people liked it, and that some people hated it, but I didn't expect "The Prestige" to be the kind of film that makes you want to watch it again immediately, just to be certain you didn't miss anything. And that is exactly what happened in this case...
This film, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a drama set in late 19th century London that has some ingredients that can only be described as fantasy. All the same, the spectator won't be able to shake off the feeling that what he is watching is real, due to the excellent way in which the actors, the director and the scriptwriters managed to bring Priest's novel to life. The title of this movie has to do with one of the three acts of which every outstanding magic trick consists. The first act is "The Pledge", when the magician shows you something seemingly ordinary. The second act is "The Turn", when the thing that seemed ordinary is turned into something extraordinary. The last act is "The Prestige", the act that crowns the magic trick and makes it unique. Magicians live and die for "The Prestige", and that act is somehow at the center of this story. The main characters in this film are two magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), that due to a tragedy go from friendly rivals to fierce enemies. The quest of each one of them is to best the other, no matter the cost, notwithstanding the means. Who is the best magician, who can really achieve "The Prestige"? And will he live to boast about it? On the whole, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie, and that I would gladly watch it a third time. Highly recommended... Belen Alcat
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A typically brilliant, intelligent piece of cinema from Britain's most talented director.,
By
This review is from: The Prestige [DVD] [2006] (DVD)
Just to begin, I'd like to dispute the previous reviewer's assertion that Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) is the hero of the piece, and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) the villain. It is not as strightforward as that, and therein lies one of the film's strengths - both characters are extremely well developed (primarily, of course, thanks to Christopher Priest's superb novel) and finely acted by the leading duo, and events conspire to wrestle our sympathies between the two antagonists. Borden does initially appear to be portrayed as the villain, his careless actions causing a helpless Angier's life to crumble around him (he loses a loved one and his reputation). But as the plot progresses, we see Angier become twisted with obssession and revenge, his motives growing ever more suspect and really rather sinister. Borden, on the other hand, is a largely motiveless character (though certainly no less interesting for it), managing not to let his obsessive quest for the ultimate magic trick lead him to immoral behaviour.
Bale and Jackman are both on top form, and the supporting cast is strong (Scarlett Johansson struggles a little, apparently concentrating too hard on her English accent and forgetting to make us care about her character; Michael Caine is, as usual, faultless). This is Nolan's best film since Memento. It doesn't quite pip his 2000 thriller, but it comes close. A lot of people will see the twist coming, and a few will think it is obvious... but in a way, that's the point. Like a magic trick, you're looking for some higher secret, but you're fooled only by its simplicity. And here's a simple fact: Chris Nolan is Britain's best director, and among the best in the business today.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magic WITHOUT the glasses and lightning scar.,
By
This review is from: The Prestige [DVD] [2006] (DVD)
The prestige throws at the audience magic that completely walks over harry potter. this movie conveys to the audience REAL magic and it amazes anyone who watches it. Rather than CGI 'magic' that involves wands and cauldrons, this type of magic involves trickery and masterful sleight of hands.
The film uses flashbacks and flashfowards to lull you into thinking you can predict the outcome, and then dramatically reveals a twist at the end thats completely unexpected. The tone is dark and mysterious, the cast is excellent (Michael Caine, Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, David Bowie, Andy Serkis, Scarlett Johansson... you get the picture) and you're always left guessing. The film may be a bit too complicated for some since the plot doesn't settle for longer than 30 seconds, but it is entirely enjoyable none the less. This is the type of film which keeps you racking your brains even AFTER you've watched five million times. well...nearly. Hugh Jackman is gorgeous as a magician haunted by his wifes death and his obsession with finding out the secret to the ultimate trick. Christian Bale is great as his rival. and everyone else is just as good. I really enjoyed this film and it tricks. You will enjoy it too if you are able to allow yourself to be surrounded by the magic, mystery and intrigue. Are you watching closely..?
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