The Prestige (DVD)

The Prestige is the second big and bold film about 19th century magicians to be greedily gobbled up by my DVD player this year and, like the Illusionist, is really rather good. Where as Neil Burgers film-The Illusionist-relied on digital effects and a gentle love affair between Ed Norton and Jessica Beil to tease the viewers into the mystery like a magician would with slight-of-hand, here Chris Nolan's adventure is much more twisty and pacey and the most complete popcorn matinee movie for a long time. Although the Prestige pips the Illusionists for pure excitement and intrigue, Neil Burger's movie is the more intelligent and thoughtful of the pair, exploring ...  Read the complete review

At the end of the nineteenth century, two magicians, Alfred Borden and Robert Angier, work together on the same act until one day, an accident occurs and Angier's wife dies. Heart-broken and blaming Borden for her death, he splits from Borden and the two become rivals. When Borden meets and marries Sarah and comes up with the ultimate magic trick, Angier is overcome with jealousy and vows to come up with another, even better trick. In his search to find it, he comes across the physicist, Nikola Tesla, whose knowledge of electricity rivaled that of Thomas Edison. As the rivalry between Borden and Angier increases, it becomes obvious that they are both losing touch with ...  Read the complete review

Up and coming Magicians Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) are friends working for trick designer Cutter (Michael Caine). When an often performed trick leads to the death of Angier's wife the friendship turns to rivalry. When Borden comes up with a stunning new trick Angier will go to any lengths, including dirty tricks such as spying, to find out how it's done and how to outdo him, with potentially tragic consequences. Conclusion ========== I was really looking forward to this film being a fan of Christian Bale's previous film and enjoyed Batman Begins from the same director, Christopher Nolan. Which ...  Read the complete review

Each magic trick includes three stages, The Pledge - Where the magician shows the audience something that appears ordinary but is probably not, making use of misdirection. The Turn - Where the magician makes the ordinary act extraordinary. And The Prestige - Where the effect of the illusion is produced. There are "twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance and you see something shocking you've never seen before." The Prestige tells the story of two magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) who from the earliest years of their magical careers, who in the watch of accomplished stage engineer ...  Read the complete review

The Prestige is the latest film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, of Memento & Batman Returns fame. It is based on a book by Christopher Priest, has a superlative cast... Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johannson amongst them and is a tale of revenge, rivalry and love in turn of the century London (19th to 20th) It tells you the tale of two up and coming wannabe magicians, learning the trade and with ambition in their minds, and how one little knot changes their whole relationship so that it becomes more than just friendly professional rivalry. The Prestige is another one of a group of films that appeared towards ...  Read the complete review