Caddickisms

The coolest thing about The Illusionist is that every trick he does is something that can be performed practically. The movie does use a little CGI because of production constraints and for a little extra ‘oomph,’ but each trick is firmly based in reality (as stated in the commentary), which is even more amazing when you see the tricks performed.

That’s not a knock on the story, by the way. It’s a very good, engaging, tightly written story. An excellent mystery, full of misdirection with all the clues right out in front of you the whole time.

The only thing that I would have changed, possibly, is the choice of Edward Norton for the title role. I’m surprised by my own reaction, because I like Norton’s work generally, both in this movie and in others, but I think it would have been stronger with someone else in the role.

Still, well worth seeing. Four stars.

(By the way, despite many surface similarities, this movie and The Prestige are extremely different. See both if you can.)

Technorati Tags: Edward Norton, magicians, illusion, mystery, murder, movie review

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Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Christopher Nolan (all of whom worked on Batman Begins) join Hugh Jackman to create one of the best magician movies I’ve ever seen. Actually, this movie crosses a few genres, but I won’t list them because to do so may tip off the secret of the movie. I will say that there is a healthy dose of misdirection, but everything you need to figure it out is there from the outset (or close to it), as it should be with any well written mystery.

I actually suspected at least part of the truth midway through the movie, but wasn’t positive about it until after the secret of the top hat was revealed.

The most confusing part about this movie was the jumping around in timeframes. Much of the movie is told in extended flashbacks from different time periods, and their chronological order is not always evident. Even at the end, I found it difficult to go back and place certain events in their proper sequence. How much time, for example, has passed between the first death in the movie and Bale’s character meeting Sarah?

There is much to think about after the movie is over. Usually in these kinds of movies, you can find a hole in the plot, but I couldn’t come up with one. My wife thought she had one that could have altered the ending, but after talking it through the ending still makes sense.

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m trying hard to keep from loosing any spoilers on you, and it’s a bit difficult to write a review that won’t tip off the astute among you. I may write another, more “spoilerific” post for this one later, but right now I have to go to bed.

The verdict: 4-1/2 stars for The Prestige. Well worth the time and mental effort.

(Oh, and as a side note, I noticed at least 3 actors who had prominent guest roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, plus “Robin Colcord” from Cheers. Just struck me as interesting.)

Technorati Tags: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Christopher Nolan, Batman Begins, Hugh Jackman, Movies, The Prestige, magic, murder, mystery, misdirection

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