The Prestige
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Movie Reviews of The Prestige
Movie Review: Every magic trick consists of three acts...
Summary: 5 Stars
The word prestige is most commonly understood as; esteem or importance of an individual who is highly regarded by others. The word is taken from the Latin word pręstigum; trick or illusion.
People who saw Memento will enjoy Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige." He brings to the audience a new and unfamiliar meaning to this word, as he illustrates this through his mastery of storytelling.
Story:
It is the story of two rival magicians in London near the end of the 1800's. When a magic performance turns tragic both men will go to the extreme of undermining each other to become the best magician. When Alfred Borden invents the trick "The Transporter Man," Rupert Angier, becomes obsessed with learning his secret to his Illusion. When Angier meets the scientist Nikola Tesla, he will fine the answer through the device that Tesla makes for him. Will his obsession for Borden come to an end?
Review:
Every magic trick consists of three acts; the first act is called the pledge, the second act is called the turn and third act is called the prestige. This is where the audience is presented with something shocking and new in which the audience has never seen before.
Christopher Nolan is an exceptional director, who gives the audience his fourth movie entitled "The Prestige." Nolan's style of directing and writing is much like the movie "The Illusionist" who keeps the audience guessing until the end. His direction is fast paced, but is explained through the series of events that are unfolded throughout the plot. But instead of focusing on magic he wants the audience to concentrate on the obsession that both Magicians (Jackmen and Bale) have for each other.
This is done quite effectively through the acting of Bale and Jackman. They completely become immersed in their passion that they have for their magic. Jackman illustrates his obsession through his showmanship and Bale through mastering his skills of magic. The supporting cast led by the veteran screen actor Michael Caine (Cutter the creator of the illusions), Scarlett Johansson (Olivia Wenscombe assistant to Angier) and even David Bowie (Tesla who plays an inventor similar to Thomas Edison) do a very good job at supporting the obsession between the two magicians.
The editing was flawless to the point where the flashbacks give the presence of time standing still. There is no choppiness, no hesitation as each scene is played out through the movie.
The Verdict:
This is very good film that deals with magic and showmanship but finds an underlining theme to the movie such as obsession. If your fan of Christopher Nolan and like solving puzzle based movies then you will definitely appreciate "The Prestige" in which I highly recommend.
Movie Review: THE YEAR'S ONLY "GENIUS" FILM
Summary: 5 Stars
THE PRESTIGE is the year's best film. Not!! Yet,it is definitely the most intelligent film I have seen in 2006 - a year where a dozen great films came out.
Hugh Jackman did 4 films this year and this one is without the blossom of a doubt, his best performance till date. I "didn't" think too highly of him (Considering he's done a film called Van Helsing; Scoop was a three star grade film; The Fountain rocked while everyone knows XMEN insults my age,really, I'm 22 you see) but he gave a very realistic portrayal of his character. What truly makes Hugh Jackman stand out is not quite his height/poise or dialogue delivery. The real charm lies in the manner in which the actor uses his arms, legs, speech, movements, reactions, etc. to actually make a point to an unsuspecting crowd.
While watching The Prestige, I wondered to myself who the second actor was. You see, I had never seen a Christian Bale film (Surprise!) I, personally, think he was as good as Hugh Jackman was. The direction is immaculate and will make the hair on your back stand.
It's quite humorous that Amazon forget to include Scarlett Johansson's name on the main page (film cast) She did a good job, her role was limited but it is always good to see someone so beautiful perform in a film as good as The Prestige. In all likeliness, Prestige will restore your faith in films even if it wasn't really lost. There is a great "unpredictability" about the whole plot but the execution is better than the plot itself. A lot of us including me guessed the twist towards the end but that still was only a part of the bigger twist altogether.
*SPOILERS*
Where Prestige actually stands out is in the film's ability to shock you. The best scenes in the film include the following - When Hugh Jackman is outsmarted by Christian Bale and is left hanging by a rope like a character in a kindergarten show; the scene in which the hats are displayed, the first scene of the film, the rivalry scenes between the two young magicians, Hugh Jackman and his presentation skills as a magician, David Bowie's great cameo, the innumerable twists and many more.
Overall, I'd like to say that this film as good as it is, is because it is the kind of film you want to see do good and it does just that. Masterfully. Many comparisons have been made with "The Illusionist" Now I'm a bit of a Ed Norton fan but realistically speaking THE PRESTIGE spanks ILLUSIONIST on the head three times over without even trying. Not only is it a better, more creative, more captivating film but it's also a bigger film on the whole. If you compare the endings of the two films, you would know what I mean. Nonetheless, both films are definitely worth watching a few times over.
Movie Review: one of 2006's best but its most overlooked
Summary: 5 Stars
Christopher Nolan gained much praise for his work in the twist-filled Memento but gained even more recognition when he successfully kickstarted the battered Batman franchise in Batman Begins. As a roadstop in-between the Batman sequel, he did this film focusing on magicians and the mystery of illusion. Maybe because of this, the film didn't get much attention; trading box-office success for critical praise. Too bad cause this was ultimately one of the year's best films that at times takes too many sleight of hands but in the end is masterful in its story unfolding.
Alfred Borden (Bale) and Robert Angier (Jackman) are 2 fellow magicians who become rivals when tragedy strikes. Borden is the most talented magician but the one with the least charisma. Angier is a true showman and performer but not the know-how on tricks and thinking to pull off magic feats. Both want to one-up the other; thinking of bigger illusions and even sabatoging the other's performance. To spoil any more would be a crime and you'll see how far one can go in the name of being "the best".
One of the problems when you have a film like this, especially one about magic is not only not revealing anything that will spoil the film but also letting the film outsmart watchers who dissect everything. "Was that an important plot point?" "Is that part of the twist?" Some guessed the film's twist but I honestly didn't even know simply because there was no reason to dwell on that particular thing. The fault the film does though is get too twist-y. It at times felt like "I fooled you! no wait you fooled me, now I'm gonna fool you back!" It piles on a story element after another until your hurt head hurts.
Acting-wise though this is perfect across the board. Bale and Jackman play great rivals and characters while we also have Michael Caine, Andy Serkis and Scarlett Johansson with even Ziggy himself, David Bowie showing up in a impressive role since he isn't bad in the role. The one weak link although it's a needed character is Johansson. Remember Chris Rock's joke about Jude Law and what movies he wasn't in? Maybe it's just Johansson overkill but she just stands out since we just seen her in too much it seemed.
My guess is that we're going to get double-dipped. Since this wasn't a Best Picture contender, there's no reason why the extras are so slight but all we get is a brief and surface-skimming making-of and an art gallery. This should've got way more extras although the one that people look forward to, a director commentary, is not as anticipated since Nolan isn't the most engaging commentator but still, we should've got more than this.
Definately go and watch this and experience something that should've had more attention when it started.
Movie Review: Now you see it...
Summary: 5 Stars
This wonderful tale of two battling magicians is too wonderfully complex to describe. The act of magic is described in its three parts - "the pledge," in which the audience is introduced to an object of interest; "the turn," in which the object is transformed, and "the prestige," in which the object is restored. The movie itself is probably built on these three concepts, though a single viewing is hardly enough to say for sure. But superb writing keeps the audience guessing through a maze of false appearances and hidden motivations. Like a real magic trick, the viewer wonders how it was done - how was perception manipulated so subtly so that what one thinks one sees is not what is there at all?
Working class Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and aristocratic Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) are the dueling early-20th century English prestidigitators. The stakes are high: the revelation of Borden's greatest trick - The Transported Man. The trick is a doozy, involving an impossible disappearance and reappearance. Borden - as great a magician as he is lousy a showman -- has perfected the trick - eerily so - and though Angier can duplicate it, he becomes obsessed with learning how Borden did it. Managing to obtain Borden's secret diary and compromise mistress, Angier travels to Colorado where he is led to ever-spooky electronics genius Nicola Tesla.
"The Prestige" is itself one enormous illusion. There are so many twists and turns and reversals, that neither the characters nor the viewer can truly follow the action. This required a prodigious feat of intelligent writing, but it is pulled off admirably. The plot illusions, like their magical counterparts, are obvious when the viewer knows how they are done. One of the movie's special pleasures is to rewatch it knowing how the illusions are done. Amazingly, character motivations and actions that "read" one way the first time, read perfectly well in the opposite direction as well. Incredible.
Michael Caine was a standout in the film - the old showman always concealing as much as he revealed. Jackman was passable - his sullen stage manner made one wonder how his character became so famous. Bale was alternately an emotional cipher and an engaging husband, father and magician. I would like to think that this was in keeping with the film's secret, of which you will not hear a word from me. And a surprise - David Bowie made the most amazing, low-key and proudly weird Tesla ever. He was mysterious, spookily intelligent and convincingly obsessed with his inventions.
A most tightly-wrought and exquisitely-produced film.
...and now you don't.
Movie Review: Electrifying Rivalry Played Out on the Stage...are you watching very closely?
Summary: 5 Stars
In magic tricks, whats the point of making something disappear...if you can't bring it back? "The Prestige" is a truly thrilling tale about two magicians whose ruthless rivalry stems from a tragic accident (for which one blames the other). They cause each other much pain, physically and emotionally, throughout the years of relentless effort to out-do each other in their respective magic shows. However, when one of them stumbles onto a bit of *real*, but dangerous, magic...just how far will he go to utilize it in his show, and take his final prestige with the satisfaction of knowing he has won...
From start to finish, this movie will hold you in it's spell. Hugh Jackman and Christina Bale turn in electrifying performances as the battling magicians, and they each compliment each other very well. It wouldn't be difficult for a great performance to get lost among the equally great performances in this all-star cast. Scarlett Johannsen has a supporting role, as does Michael Caine. However, Jackman and Bale each shine more brightly than the others -- and thats the way it should be.
In the world of magicians, the end of a magic trick is known as the 'prestige'. For example, if one was performing a trick to make something disappear, the prestige of that trick would be the reappearance of the disappeared item, after which the magician would smile at the crowd and take a bow. In the film, the two magicians battle each other to claim the greatest prestige to the most dazzling trick imaginable...
Throughout the film you will see the obsession within each magician grow -- and you will see the price each pays for it. When it comes to obsession, at what point is the price too high? This is a question this film explores. Is the price of your family's suffering too much? How about the use of your hands, arms, or legs? Do you have the courage to hurt yourself? Is any of this too high a price...or will you press on with your obsession until it completely destroys you and those you love?
A small sticking point is that the film *does* give the viewer enough clues to deduce the big twist revealed at the end...but that doesn't stop it from being a great twist! Even if you think you've figured it out before the ending, just sit back and enjoy the ride anyway!
Bottom line, this film is fantastic, and very well written, directed, and acted. I highly recommend it because you won't be disappointed in this thrill-ride -- it's a real trip...