Such a frustrating disappointment

I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Absolutely brilliant

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

The Prestige' tells the tale of two rival magicians at the turn of last century who constantly try to outdo each other at every turn. The premise may sound a little so-so, but, trust me, the finished product is anything but. It's magic. First of all it's a Christopher Nolan film - a writer/director who is one of the most respected and profitable working today. But, no matter how well he does in the director's chair, it's the cast who make it what it is.I know that the term 'assemble cast' is normally associated with films like 'The Avengers' where every major character is a star in their own right, but 'The Prestige' isn't far off attaining this label. The two magicians in question are played by Christian 'Batman' Bale and Hugh 'Wolverine' Jackman and, obviously, the film focuses in on them. However, there's plenty of extra acting talent supporting their personal grievances with each other, namely Michael Caine, David Bowie, Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall - all of which play their parts to perfection no matter how much screen time they're given.It's really a story about obsession - how two men start off as friends, but, through a string of unfortunate events (and the desire never to share a stage and be 'the best' in their own rights!) they dedicate their lives to outdo each other, no matter how much it costs them. There's a fair amount of tragedy to the tale as both men suffer blows to their personal life in pursuit of their quests for revenge (and to introduce the perfect magic trick to their audiences) and you can't help but feel for them on more than one occasion.I really would recommend 'The Prestige' to anyone wanting to watch a truly great modern classic. However, if I was to try and find a few flaws in it, I'd probably warn people that it's hardly fast-paced and quite long compared to the average ninety minute runtime. Plus the story does bounce around in time, meaning you'll see the end first and find yourself having the middle narrated by one character, before popping back to the beginning and finding a different member of the cast telling you what's happening. It does work, but it will force you to concentrate on what time period you're watching (check your phone at your peril and you may run the risk of becoming totally confused!).However, perhaps my personal only gripe with the film was that all the way through I thought it was based in reality. The magicians are just that - tricksters like any other stage show act you'd see today. However, without straying into 'spoiler territory' I have to warn you that this film's genre ends up being 'science fiction.' But, if you know what you're watching you should really get quite a lot out of this film on many levels.

Entertaining and exciting. there was so much terrible stuff and i hated it but by god was that a good movie! i want to give it a bad rating but i cannot! the stress that these two male leads gave me was unprecedented. unbelievable. how can you love someone and not reveal the trick? what would sarah knowing have changed? he drove her to alcoholism with his erratic behaviour and absolute depression since she hangs herself. also the revenge chain between the two was ridiculous (i absolutely believe they were capable of it but it was painful to watch). 'i don't care about my wife i care about the trick' and Angier's final explanation was amazing. my god!!! what a good film!! but did you really have to frame him for murder? really? murder? basically kill him?? kill him for it angier? isn't that too much? he didn't even do it on purpose bro. anyway WOW is the best way to describe the film.

After reading the reviews had high hopes but to be honest very disappointed. Good cast and well acted but the twists and turns never really happened.... I had already guessed the outcome and you don't have to be a genius!

It's shows magic in a way no other movie can. Christopher Nolan does not disappoint, bringing a movie with awesome dialogue and brilliant storytelling. The way the story jumps across a timeline and still makes sense is a challenge for any storyteller. The way Nolan can achieve storytelling at this level and still wow the audience makes him one of the greatest directors of all time.