The Illusion of Prestige

From the moment we enter this life we are in the flow of it. We measure it and we mock it, but we cannot defy it. We cannot even speed it up or slow it down. Or can we? Have we not each experienced the sensation that a beautiful moment seemed to pass to quickly, and wished that we could make it linger? Or felt time slow on a dull day, and wished that we could speed things up a bit?

Eisenheim the Illusionist

I haven't done a movie review in what seems like ages, but after having the chance to see the two magic films that came out this summer on DVD figured it was about time to do one, or two again.

Each film although playing on the powers of mis-direction was very different, even with both being set at the turn of the 20th century (1900's) the technology of the time and was all they really had going for them.

The Illusionist is flat out a date movie, done in rich septa tones and grainy film-stock lines at times to try and pass on the feeling of antiquity. The special effects were well done for the most part - it's amazing how well CG can work on a period piece set in Vienna.

However movie cynicism was a killer for me as the plot began to give up it's secrets far to quickly then dumped them all upon at the end for anyone that missed them, as the police inspector finally puts it all together (even the stuff he wasn't there for). In the end I almost felt sorry for the Crown Prince Leopold, and didn't blame him one bit for dumping the empire after being set up by the movie's conman hero.

Soundtrack wasn't too bad, and would be nice to fall asleep too as most of the dialog is done in soft tones with very little yelling, making it easy to over look a couple of glaring discrepancies in the storyline.

Rating: Realm of the Night-gaunts - Ghostwalker

Every great magic trick consists of three acts. The first act is called "The Pledge"; The magician shows you something ordinary, but of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn"; The magician makes his ordinary some thing do something extraordinary. Now if you're looking for the secret... you won't find it, that's why there's a third act called, "The Prestige"; this is the part with the twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something shocking you've never seen before.

John Cutter

The Prestige is a darker film, set during the Victorian Era two magicians rival each other throughout their entire careers trying to discover secrets hidden in the grime of old London.

At the start we get a brief history of Victorian slight of hand, and it's dangers as one magician stands at trial for the death of another. The interesting thing is how the back story is revealed using journals of their rival we are able to gather the perspective not only of the person who wrote the entry but also of the person reading it.

The history shared between these two magicians is both long and intense, each battling their own demons as they perfect their act and try to maintain the secrets that have made each the magician they are.

It is the use of history to create the illusion that helps complete the package though as one of the main characters goes to see Tesla in hopes of discovering the one secret that has become a total obsession, one that in the end will claim him as only an obsession can.

Rating: Realm of the Night-gaunts - Twisted

Out of the two I enjoyed The Prestige more. Due mainly to the fact there is character development, which The Illusionist was in desperate need of.