The Prestige Review Thread
 

Just got back from it

short story: entertaining film, nothing more, not as good as any of Nolan's other movies except MAYBE might be better than Insomnia. Rottentomatoes has it right, around 70 percent, I would give it 7.5/10.

The reviews have been mixed between loved it (4/4-type) and "it was alright" (2.5/4-type), which basically relates back to how much you like the subject matter I suppose.

Works for me :)

On the fense about seeing this film, but I'm really interested in what others have to say about the film. The film has an awesome cast though.

Watched it tonight and really enjoyed it. Probably the best thing I've ever seen Hugh Jackman in (stunning performance, can't wait for The Fountain).

The direction was very tight and all perfomers were both believable and entertaining. Even if you're not a big fan of magicians and their trade, the storyline is very interesting.

It's very impressive that Bale and Jackman take (what are essentially) two very unsympathetic characters and make you feel something for them.

Whether The Prestige is at 0% or 100% at RT, I'm there at SOME POINT this weekend. :up:

Despite the lower score earlier this week (20%, all borderline review scores) it has since risen to 76%, but yeah I agree. Unless a movie is flatout slammed (not talking 0%, I mean individual critics giving something a 0.5 out of 5 average), I don't generally listen to reviews.

Dark revenge theme. Christian Bale. Christopher Nolan. Perfect flick to watch from a darkened theater... This movie would have to be in the 30 percentile range on Rotten Tomatoes before I skip it.

I'll be there on Saturday. I'd be there tonight if not for a little band called Wilco.

The concept of this movie is interesting but I'm not sure if I'm going to see it.

In terms of Rotten Tomatores, I have no faith in that rating. I agree sometimes but not always with the critics. I'm more interested in what regular joes have to say about the movie than critics. The only time i can think of this year that i agreed with the critics more than fans was pirates of caribbean 2, which most fans loved but i thought stunk like the critics.

Liked it a lot, although it was a bit on the long side.

Best "magic" movie of the year, by far!

I saw it this afternoon and thought it was pretty good. And unlike certain other movies I could name, it's a not a movie that hinges on a twist. This movie is all about rivalry, one-up-manship, and who's going to end up with the upperhand.

I was excited for this. My anticipation was similar for Munich last year, where just hearing the plot description made me say 'Wow I'm game.' The rival magician angle... the classy costumes... Jackman and Bale... There was definitely something appealing on paper. The kind of film I could put up a poster for on my wall.

I am sick of plot twist films... One of the characters says how (in reference to magic) once the twist is revealed the audience stops caring in a 'thats it?' sort of way. This self-awareness didn't really make me love the twists anymore than I usually do in this kind of fare... I still get pissed off when I see the wheels of a screenplay turning on screen. But still as a whole, the movie leaves us with enough to mull over so that the twists isn't just a gimmick (ala the illusionist)... instead it reveals depths to the sickness of these characters.

Toward the end it turned into this extremely dark, off-putting beast, but I am in awe. I found it shocking.. and I was disturbed at several moments throughout. The atmosphere was brought out so thick that I was tense through the whole thing. I'm very impressed .. There wasn't a single ounce or warmth in the whole thing. It was cold, angry, spiteful, and unpleasant. but it was assured. A while ago I was pissed off at how filmmakers are afraid of being dark, or existential.

Now that Nolan has given us this bleak, nihilistic vision, I don't necessarily like it, I'm just amazed by it. Glad some people still have balls.

I liked it a lot. It's the kind of movie that deserves a rewatch. I pieced together many of the "twists" with about 50 minutes left, but it still was a great ride with some great performances...and once you know the secrets, they become fairly apparent throughout. Nolan did a great job with the scripting and the film had atmosphere to burn. Wasn't quite as tense as the trailers made it out to be, but it certainly was satisfying and had a nice, dark ending. 4/5.

MATT

Good stuff, and great performances by Batman and Wolverine.. er, Bale and Jackman. And David Bowie as a mad scientist. How can you go wrong? Bleak ending too, and really sick the more and more I think about it. "Prestige" indeed.

The things men will do to be the best and get revenge....wow, the twists were secondary to that theme.

I liked how my feelings about the characters shifted, compassion to disdain at their pathos. And the score was great!

I thought it was pretty good for about the first hour, but then...

I really enjoyed the movie, but agree about the end.



The rest of the movie was, imo, a blast. :up: to the overall tone of the movie, loved the escallation of one-up-manship as well. Grimmest PG-13 movie I've seen in sometime. Bowie was fantastic, and even the subplot of

was interesting.

Because of the flaw in plus he figured

MATT

Ok, really liked the movie but I need some help:

One thing I missed: