The Prestige [2006] - DVD (Christian Bale, Piper Perabo, Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine - Dir: Christopher Nolan)

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

Customer Reviews of The Prestige [2006]

Mark Baker
Santa Clarita, CA United States
16th December 2008

A Movie Worth Watching Closely
100 years ago, there were two fledgling magicians. Both Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are the plants in an audience who help a magician with his final act. But one night things turn deadly, leaving Robert a widower and breaking apart the two men.

Over the years, they keep tabs on each other and try to hurt each other. That's how Robert knows when Alfred premiers his most phenomenal trick, the transported man. In this trick, Alfred moves from one box to another across the stage in one second flat. Robert becomes obsessed with learning how his rival does the trick, an obsession he takes to unhealthy levels. Who is the ultimate magician? Will Robert learn the secret of the transported man? What lengths will he go to attempting to get the secret?

Frankly, that summary does the movie an injustice. It is more a character study of the two men than anything else. The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks, yet once I got the characters established in my mind, it was very easy to follow.

This isn't my normal light film. In fact, it is very dark at times. But the story is so engrossing. I was lost in the world unsure who to root for to win. In fact, I gave up trying to predict the outcome, and it's a good thing I did because I never would have guessed how it ended.

The acting from every single member of the cast is great. I can't single anyone out, that's how good it is.

And this is definitely a movie to own. There are so many scenes that appear to mean one thing but really mean something else that you need to watch it again.

I am sorry I am just now watching this excellent film. If you've missed it, go out and see it today. I can't recommend this film highly enough.

heth
Exeter, UK
13th December 2008

Twists, turns and a haunting ending
This is a story of envy, revenge and obsession and its not until the end that the penny drops and you see what has been going on all the way through. I've watched it several times now and love it, the horror of the finale is really quite haunting. It has a strong cast of Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine plus an appearance by David Bowie.

I was surprised that someone compared this unfavourably to the Illusionist. We watched that recently and thought it was hugely inferior to The Prestige. Oh well, put that down to personal preference maybe.

moviebuff05
uk
17th November 2008

the prestige vs. the illusionist - no contest
I was totally spellbound by the illusionist, brought out around about the same time as this film, so it was with slight anticipation that I watched this, expecting that it wouldn't match up to the other in the slightest. What a surprise, I was right. While I found the first film brilliant and cleverly crafted with a brilliant storyline this was just a poor, weak plotted version of something vaguely resembling a good magician's film. The ending was absurd and I was actually throwing cushions at the screen because it was such a messy plot!!Don't bother with this, watch the illusionist and see a genuinely good plot instead of a positively awful one.

Ananth
UK
23rd October 2008

Excellent value for money!
Always wanted to buy this but had second thoughts about the price,bought this along with The Prestige and Equilibrium as part of the 3 for 10 offer.
Speedy delivery and great value for money!

Omac

10th October 2008

You can't just make something disapear! You have to bring it back!


The Plot
When fellow magician Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) accidently kills his wife, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) heads down a path of jeoulousy and revenge, desperate to discover the secrets of Borden's 'The Transported Man'.
Angier's journey takes him to the little town of Colordao Springs were great scientist Nikola Tesler (David Bowie), may have all the answers needs.

The Characters
Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) - Supposedly the good guy, you see Angier become obssessed with revenge and lose the few people that care about him.
Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) - Making a new life for himself, Borden only wants to forget, but a persistant Angier is forcing him to retaliate.
Cutter (Michael Caine) - The stage-hand who is worried about Angier and does want to be involved in getting back at Borden.
Olivia Wenscombe (Scarlett Johanssen) - The assisstant who falls for both magicians and is stuck in the middle of the rivalry.

The Review
This film as grabbed a great story with both hands and made it work. Every charcter is perfectly cast and each actor gives a great performance. There is a lot of energy in the film and it moves along at a rapid pace. With twists and turns every now and again, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat. The film appeals to all ages and is 100% worth getting as a Christmas present.

Top notch, 5/5!