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List Price: $14.99 | | Label: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
Salesrank: 2233
Released: February 20, 2007 |
| Our Price: $5.49 |
| Used Price: $3.01 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Award-winning actors Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson star in THE PRESTIGE, the twisting, turning story that, like all great magic tricks, stays with you. Two young, passionate magicians, Robert Angier (Jackman), a charismatic showman, and Alfred Borden (Bale), a gifted illusionist, are friends and partners until one fateful night when their biggest trick goes terribly wrong. Now the bitterest of enemies, they will stop at nothing to learn each other's secrets. As their rivalry escalates into a total obsession full of deceit and sabotage, they risk everything to become the greatest magician of all time. But nothing is as it seems, so watch closely. And be prepared to watch it again and again.
Description of The Prestige:
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
The Prestige Reviews:
Man's reach exceeds his own limits 
2009-11-20 - All act of magic has three moments. Two brilliant magicians face to face, one each another trying to show the world who's the best. Each own has his secrets and this growing rivalry will lead to unsuspected levels of tension and suspense.
This formidable movie presents to Christian Bale (Alfred Bordem) (an actor who has gained gradual status) and Hugh Jackman (Robert Angier) are the contenders. Scarlet Johanson is a smart device among them and Michael Caine like the smart engineer conform a team hard to improve in this extraordinary and original film who will engage you from start to finish.
Because at the end of the projection this portrait is also the magic of cinema. You and me love to be cheated. The special effects are just illusion; part of the pledge and the transformation.
Watch it carefully!
The Prestige 
2009-11-04 - The movie is fast moving and captures your interest from the very beginning. There are numerous twists and turns that come together at the end. I particularly like the historical part of the movie where Tesla entered the a central part of the theme and you saw the competition with Edison. I found the movie most enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone who like magic.
One of the best films of 2006
2009-10-23 - Christopher Nolan has become one of the best filmmakers of his generation. This is his fourth consecutive great movie (the first three, in order, were "Memento," "Insomnia," and "Batman Begins.") No director handles overlapping narratives and plays with time as well as he does. All of his many gifts are on display in this tale of two magicians (Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman--both of whom handle double roles magnificently) and their ever-escalating rivalry in turn of the century London. For those who love puzzles and brainteasers, this is one that'll still be working itself out in your mind for a while after you see it.
Excellent Film
2009-09-14 - This is a fantastic movie that is only enhanced on Blu-ray. I haven't checked out the additional features yet but, so far this has been a great purchase.
A little confusing 
2009-08-06 - At 2 hours 10 minutes, this could have ended much sooner and been a tauter film as a result. The ending left me scratching my head just a bit. Most of the movie is a bit jerkily edited, so viewers have to pay attention. Are we in the present? The recent past? The future? It keeps jumping around, somewhat annoyingly. The second half bogs down a bit. I had to pause several times out of boredom, never a good sign for a movie. Was it really like this in the Victorian era? I wasn't entirely convinced. I did do one double take: yes, that's David Bowie as Tesla, the electrician, though what that was all about, I still don't know.
