Thankfully I have not viewed a horrible film in a long time (The last one was Date Movie). The trend continues. The Prestige was a very fun film to watch, but only once. I have to be honest, after one viewing there really is no need to revisit this film. It is such a fun ride discovering the secrets; but like many films with twists, once you know the answers you lose the questions. From a reviewers standpoint, there were flaws that do put you off. Such as the final trick of Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman), which really pushes the boundary of believability. There were brilliant moments, and some bad acting along the way: but not all films need to be great to be enjoyed. So, let me give you the good and bad; as I review a film just for its entertainment value. I may throw in some criticism, but it will appear as an all knowing voice in parenthesis.
I was like so totally enthralled by the cool tricks and magic! (The special effects were very interesting. They seemed to play on the old feel of the film itself. The Tesla machine was a very nifty machine, but the credibility of the film goes out the window when we see the duplicates.)
Scarlett Johansson was hot! (The acting was a bit daft at times. Olivia Wenscombe (Scarlett Johansson) was very dry and really lacked the screen time to make me care about her character. That seems to be the general feel for all of the acting. The two rival magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman), were so involved in their rivalry that no common sense prevailed. Each actor really pushed that aspect, creating characters that were single minded. However, that approach left me with two very wooden performances. By the end of the film, I felt nothing for either character. I must mention that Tesla (David Bowie…yes I said David Bowie) was a very interesting figure. Bowie does pull off the reclusive mad scientist with knowledge well beyond his years. Perhaps the best performance comes from Cutter (Michael Caine). It may just be the British hard nosed but lovable character, but Caine raises the acting bar for the rest of the cast. A bar which many of the actors run over rather than jump.)
What a great twist! (I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the prestige, but I really was not rewarded in the manner I expected. I had a real problem with the reality of the film and the dramatic reveal that follows. Angier’s machine had a deus ex machina feel. How are we going to fill the plot holes, let’s bring in a machine of the gods to wrap up the loose ends. Because of the twist, I have no real desire to watch this again.)
I really enjoyed watching this film! (Once.)
They should make all films like this. (They, meaning Hollywood. All, meaning films seeking box office payout.)
So there you see the difference in criticism and enjoyability (perhaps not a real word). It was a fun film, but not all fun films can be elevated to the level of phenomenal filmmaking. But, the critical side to my brain does like to be turned off every now and then. Sometimes watching a film is the escape from reality that we all need. So put your critical mind up and grab a beer (or glass of wine, or whiskey, or coffee, or water, or whatever), The Prestige delivers on fun!
