The Prestige

[Grant]

The more I hear about this movie the cooler it sounds. It already stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as dueling Victorian era Magicians and has Michael Caine, Scarlett Johanson and David Bowie (playing Nikola Tesla) and now according to AICN (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=22194) Andy Serkis is now in this movie play Tesla's assistant.

A movie starring Batman, Wolverine, Gollum and David Bowie seems like something worth seeing.

[Shem the Penman]

The more I hear about this movie the cooler it sounds. It already stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as dueling Victorian era Magicians and has Michael Caine, Scarlett Johanson and David Bowie (playing Nikola Tesla) and now according to AICN (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=22194) Andy Serkis is now in this movie play Tesla's assistant.

A movie starring Batman, Wolverine, Gollum and David Bowie seems like something worth seeing.

Neat. I have the book, by Christopher Priest (the British Christopher Priest, not the former Jim Owsley), and it's very good, but I hadn't heard they were making a movie out of it.

[Grant]

Neat. I have the book, by Christopher Priest (the British Christopher Priest, not the former Jim Owsley), and it's very good, but I hadn't heard they were making a movie out of it.

I've been meaning to check it out. Maybe I'll stop by Barnes & Nobles after work.

[Spiff]

A movie starring Batman, Wolverine, Gollum and David Bowie seems like something worth seeing.

Hell, I never thought of it like that. I was planning on watching it, unless it got torn to shreds, but that just sounds cool. I also find it amusing David Bowie doesn't need a made-up counterpart to stand with frickin' Batman, Wolverine, and Gollum.

[Grant]

Hell, I never thought of it like that. I was planning on watching it, unless it got torn to shreds, but that just sounds cool. I also find it amusing David Bowie doesn't need a made-up counterpart to stand with frickin' Batman, Wolverine, and Gollum.

I was tempted to say Ziggy Stardust. Or the Man Who Fell to Earth (one of my favorite movies).

[GRANT!]

Here's The Trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/theprestige/). Looks pretty cool. I can notice a few deviations from the book but it looks like a fun little flick.

[Cayman]

Should be a great movie. It was a cool book.

And now Nolan can concentrate on a Batman sequel again, hopefully.

Cay

[CaptainAwesome]

I saw the trailer for this the other day and I might catch it it the theaters. It looks itneresting enough.

I got a question: What is it with magicians now? Between this and the one with Ed Norton and a rumored Doc Strange, its like a magic resurgence.

[Captain Trips]

That looks really good. Is it true that Brandon Routh and Tobey Maguire each have cameo roles?







Just kidding.

[Error_2.0]

I just had a sexy idea- Scarlett Johannson as Selina Kyle in the next Batman movie, then Catwoman in #3. mmmmmmmmmmmm

[GRANT!]

That looks really good. Is it true that Brandon Routh and Tobey Maguire each have cameo roles?







Just kidding.

Why stop there. Guest starring Frodo, The Thing, Buffy while Yoda and Spock would codirect it.

And every nerd in the country would go see this movie.

[meethraa]

I got a question: What is it with magicians now? Between this and the one with Ed Norton and a rumored Doc Strange, its like a magic resurgence.
Read the news about those movies again knowing what you know about Wanda.

[Lord of Denial]

Anyone else really excited about this very interesting movie with a great cast in Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Micheal Caine and Scarlett Johansson?

[JuggernautRM]

Been waiting for a while for this movie to come out. I think this might be one of the best movies this fall.

[the film freak]

Been looking forward to it since it was annouced.

And David Bowie is playing Tesla.

[The Foreigner]

Batman, Wolverine, Gollum, and David Bowie all in one movie.

How can you go wrong?

[OhMyGato]

you can't. i read an awesome review this morning as well. peep this:

http://www.empiremovies.com/reviews/reviews.php?id=14997&theprestige.htm

They gave it 8.5 out of 10 and say its one of the year’s best movies

[hoffmandu]

you can't. i read an awesome review this morning as well. peep this:

http://www.empiremovies.com/reviews/reviews.php?id=14997&theprestige.htm

They gave it 8.5 out of 10 and say its one of the year’s best movies

AND I heard hte Gary Oldman plays Commisisoner Gordon in it. jk.

[Cayman]

I certainly am. The cast is great, the trailer is terrific, and I really enjoyed the book.

[OhMyGato]

Batman Begins was on last night and I kept thinking how great a Batman Bale made (obviously another discussion). But also how he's been awesome in every film he's made. I expect him to be awesome in this and for Jackman, Johannson, Caine, Bowie, et al to only make the film better.

[Tony Bang]

It looks wonderful and I am a huge Bowie fan.

[CDB]

This is about as close as we are gonna get to a (well done) Wolverine vs. Batman movie.;) :D

[OhMyGato]

wolverine vs. batman

it is so on.

[Edward E. Nigma]

Looking foward to this.

[kmeyers]

Batman, Wolverine, Gollum, and David Bowie all in one movie.

How can you go wrong?
Alfred is in it too.

Yeah, this is going to be a great movie. I can't wait until Friday.

[OhMyGato]

look they learned to perform their own magic and what not. this is going to be awesome. and i love how bale solicited nolan for the role. bale is a badass.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061017/ENT01/610170308/1035/ENT

[Fish Sauce]

Been looking forward to this for a long time, and it comes out tomorrow!

I'll probably see it on Friday. Hopefully it will be awesome.

[OhMyGato]

i am equally sweating this movie. probably more so than any other this year. (Though I also want to see Apocalypto).

[Fish Sauce]

You know what's really great? When you build a movie up so much that it's sure to disappoint, and it doesn't.

This was fantastic. Highly recommend it to anyone.

[Legato]

You know what's really great? When you build a movie up so much that it's sure to disappoint, and it doesn't.

This was fantastic. Highly recommend it to anyone.

Seconed. This movie is the perfect example on how to do a clever plot twist.

[The Foreigner]

Bloody brilliant.

I'm just speechless. Every detail in the way the story is crafted was simply perfect. I don't know if I've ever been more blindsided by a film before.

Go see this movie as soon as possible, and don't let anyone tell you anything about the plot!

Amazing.

[Lord of Denial]

I love how every twist pretty much slapped you in the face with it being so obvious yet it also at the same time fooled you into not really seeing it at all.

That is great storytelling.

[Mia]

I saw it yesterday. I would give it a solid B+, and enjoyed it much more than Mommento. Some of it felt a bit contrived. But I did not get the point of who 'Fallon' was or was supposed to be.

[Fish Sauce]

I saw it yesterday. I would give it a solid B+, and enjoyed it much more than Mommento. Some of it felt a bit contrived. But I did not get the point of who 'Fallon' was or was supposed to be.

Spoiler: Fallon was Borden's twin. They swapped regularly, which accounts for the "I love you" sometimes being true and sometimes not. From what I gather, he was not a double, but was a real twin, and both were obsessed enough with magic to live half lives. Unless I'm completely wrong, in which case could someone please correct me. End Spoiler

[Lord of Denial]

Spoiler: Fallon was Borden's twin. They swapped regularly, which accounts for the "I love you" sometimes being true and sometimes not. From what I gather, he was not a double, but was a real twin, and both were obsessed enough with magic to live half lives. Unless I'm completely wrong, in which case could someone please correct me. End Spoiler




Nope you got it right on the money!

perfect explaination.

[Fish Sauce]

Nope you got it right on the money!

perfect explaination.

Ah, good. Thanks!

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I really enjoyed the film, but I figured out the big twist a little too early so a lot of the film didn't have the oomph it should have, particularly the ending.

[Mia]

Spoiler: Fallon was Borden's twin. They swapped regularly, which accounts for the "I love you" sometimes being true and sometimes not. From what I gather, he was not a double, but was a real twin, and both were obsessed enough with magic to live half lives. Unless I'm completely wrong, in which case could someone please correct me. End Spoiler




That's what I thought and....

Spoiler:
why I found the wife's suicide a contrived plot device. It was clear that before the time of her death. That she knew that there were twins. Is the movie suggesting that the two men were sharing two lives even off the stage. To the point where they were both sharring two women? Because that is the only reason I can see for her depression and hence her suicideEnd Spoiler




I really enjoyed the film, but I figured out the big twist a little too early so a lot of the film didn't have the oomph it should have, particularly the ending.

I agree. The momment I saw:


Spoiler:

The scientific contraption. I sort of figured that cloning was a part of the story. Another thing that had me figured that Alfred had a brother was the lack of focus or close ups on Fallon. It was just too much of give away that something was up.

End Spoiler

[Tobias March]

Y'know. For once. I'm not going to read these spoilers. Nope, no sir, my spoiler hog days are done :-)

[Shades0077]

The Prestige freaking rocked.

While I did guess what Angier's was doing for the Transported Man, Borden's reveal caught me completely off guard.

I really dug the story-telling device of having Borden reading Angier's journal about reading Borden's journal, and how they used it to reveal what happened in the past to make the characters as they were now, like Angier's limp.

[Void]

Well, I liked it but i got a few questions for anyone who understood these things.

Why did bale's character send jackman to tesla? Did tesla build a machine for bale? If it was just misdirection, why was tesla the keyword to bales diary? And wouldn't jackman have thought that bale had a clone, since that's what he was told was the answer to the transporting man?

[Nate Grey]

Saw a sneak preview of it Thursday night. Pretty good. I didn't guess the "twist" myself, so I was surprised by the explanation at the end. Everything fit together perfectly for me.

[saintsaucey]

im gonna have to go see this tomorrow arent i. I just hope i can drag my buddy along

[Scottsdale_Saint]

not to rain on anyone else's opinion of this movie, but i was pretty disappointed. Spoilers...the twists for me were pretty telegraphed, esp. Bale being a twin, and Jackman's character not only murdering his doubles but also being the mysterious Count at the end. i'm glad ya'll enjoyed it, but it just didn't work for me.Spoilers End.

it didn't help that both characters were so damn unlikeable...i mean i don't need there to be a good and a bad guy, Spoilers...but i wouldn't have minded if both characters had killed themselves at the end, which in a roundabout way, i guess they did. Spoilers End.

i guess i just was hoping for something as good as The Illusionist, which while a bit predicable, was a far superior movie, IMHO.

[IamtheRock3]

kind of like neither one was that likelble

your sympythy change from one to the other

Really both there plans was plans of deprave crazy people

[the film freak]

I thought it rocked. Way better then Batman.

Though I kind of felt like they were throwing way too many clues about Bourden's secret. THe book was a tad more subtle. Another thing the book had was the feud between Bourden and Angier went on for generations. It was pretty twisted.

Still a fun movie.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I agree. The momment I saw:


Spoiler:

The scientific contraption. I sort of figured that cloning was a part of the story. Another thing that had me figured that Alfred had a brother was the lack of focus or close ups on Fallon. It was just too much of give away that something was up.

End Spoiler



Exactly, as soon as I saw them do this with that character, it made me suspicious. Had they treated this character like any other character, it would have worked, but they tipped their hand too much.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I thought it rocked. Way better then Batman.

Though I kind of felt like they were throwing way too many clues about Bourden's secret. THe book was a tad more subtle. Another thing the book had was the feud between Bourden and Angier went on for generations. It was pretty twisted.

Still a fun movie.

I can see the twist working much better in a book, but in film that's an awfully hard thing to pull off.

[Error_2.0]

If I'm right, and Jackman played his double as well, he was freaking amazing. Throughout that part of the film I kept looking at him and going "That's Hugh Jackman too. Wait, maybe......No! That's Hugh Jackman....but what if they really did find a guy that looked that much like him, because there are parts here where it doesn't look so much like--NO! That's Hugh Jackman!"

[The Xenos]

I just had a sexy idea- Scarlett Johannson as Selina Kyle in the next Batman movie, then Catwoman in #3. mmmmmmmmmmmm

Oh yeah. That thought crossed my mind too and I would very much like to see that. Give us her as a Long Halloween / Tim Sale inspired Kyle with a thing against the remains of Falcone's mob, please! Then again, I'm a big fan of Ms Johansen. Acutally, this is the second movie with her and Jackman involving magicans I've seen this year. The other was the decent though run of the mill Woody Allen film Scoop.

Also, did anyone else chuckle upon thinking that Bale, Bruce Wayne, was playing someone named Alfred. It hit me once and I had to chuckle a bit. Didn't think about it much though because this film had so much to it!

Now as for this film. Fantastic. You have to watch closely and keep on your toes. You may figure out the trick even. Though you still will be waiting.. for the presige.

I figured out the trick, well the number of them, before they gave the reveals at the end. I don't mean to brag though. I want to say that I didn't feel cheated, because it wasn't just figuring out the trick, it was how they were going to do the reveal. I had to wait for the prestige. Plus I wasn't 100% on my theories and had a couple variations. I loved the whole show!

Also, seeing Bowie as Tesla was awesome. One, I love hearing about that fascinating man. I should find a decent book and not just read stuff online and read fiction like this or that Five Fists of Science comic (where he builds a giant robot to fight Edison and JP Morgan). Two, it was kinda funny to see actors from different countries doing different accents.

Sadly, I didn't get to read the book in time before seeing the film. Though I did pick it up, so I can check it out later. Still need to get Bale's other magician role.

ok, now, the spoilers

Yes, perhaps the layed the thing about Alfred and Fallon on a bit too much. Though I wasn't 100% sold. Plus I had to figure out which one was which. Or perhaps Fallon was someone else, but that was low on my list of ideas. I was wondering who was on what side of the bars and who loved who. Also, for a bit, I wondered if he used the machine once and that's where the brother came from. Yet, no, Tesla was just a red herring he used, but then that came back to bite him. Amazing.

That scene with the old Chinese magician pretending to be crippled and what Alfred said sold me on the idea. Plus, I also thought about who made the film. The Nolan -brothers-. Clearly, that part of the story must have hit a nerve with them. Plus one seems similarly more extroverted than the other, but I could be wrong.

As for Angier and his Transported man. Wow. Before the cat but after the top hat in Testla's lab, it occured to me. I recalled the opening scene. I also remembered the bird. Now, the thing was, how dirty was Angier. That I was unsure of. Did he do it once, or, did he kill the bird in the cage every time? Well, we surely found out.

[the film freak]

I can see the twist working much better in a book, but in film that's an awfully hard thing to pull off.

No I agree. It was just an interesting part. There were a lot of changes from the book but I think most of them were good changes (like making Angier American was a nice touch).

[the film freak]

Exactly, as soon as I saw them do this with that character, it made me suspicious. Had they treated this character like any other character, it would have worked, but they tipped their hand too much.

Funny thing is my friend didn't pick up that they were twins until Fallon and Bourden faced each other in prison. I think they could have got away with it if they showed Fallon a little more. He didn't look that much like Bourden.

[Kid Omega]

I thought it rocked. Way better then Batman.

Though I kind of felt like they were throwing way too many clues about Bourden's secret. THe book was a tad more subtle. Another thing the book had was the feud between Bourden and Angier went on for generations. It was pretty twisted.


Well, the book had Borden's first person account going for it- as a reader, it doesn't even cross your mind that he has a twin, because he never mentions anything remotely about it in his journal, aside from the story about the chinese fish-bowl.

I love that book. I re-read the last chapter last night, after seeing the movie, and the books ending is absolutely chilling.

The movie was great as well... much darker, and more heavy-handed with the themes, but really well done.

[Ryan K]

I really enjoyed the film, even though I figured out almost all the twists.

I had Angier's whole trick and the cloning figured out. I figured out that the times Borden said "I love you" to his wife and didn't mean it, its because it was Fallon. The only thig I didn't figure out was that Fallon and Borden were twins. I assumed that one was a clone of the other or something. Like he said, the twin thing was to obvious to think about.

Still I enjoyed the presentation of the twists in the last 30 minutes. And the various tragic elements of the story that come to light after the end are nice.

The twin that died's lover was still alive. And the twin that lived's lover was dead. Things like that made the drive home interestin as I thought aboout all that.

[the film freak]

Well, the book had Borden's first person account going for it- as a reader, it doesn't even cross your mind that he has a twin, because he never mentions anything remotely about it in his journal, aside from the story about the chinese fish-bowl.

It would be difficult to replicate but I always thought the changes in tone in the Bourden diary were kind of a signal.

I kind of figured something was up when they talk about the affair with Olive.

I love that book. I re-read the last chapter last night, after seeing the movie, and the books ending is absolutely chilling.

The movie was great as well... much darker, and more heavy-handed with the themes, but really well done.

Yeah I like them both. There's a lot of stuff I liked in the movie much better particularily Cutter who didn't have a huge role in the book. Ditto the Bourden homelife.

[Error_2.0]

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

This was my one compalint about the film and I wonder if anyone else feels the same way: It took Hugh Jackman way too long to die. I was reminded of Trinity in The Matrix Revolutions.

END SPOILERS

Bowie's entrance kicked all kinds of ass.

[Nate Grey]

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

This was my one compalint about the film and I wonder if anyone else feels the same way: It took Hugh Jackman way too long to die. I was reminded of Trinity in The Matrix Revolutions.

END SPOILERS

Bowie's entrance kicked all kinds of ass.
I see what you're saying, but...bullet wounds vs several pipes sticks out of you? Jackman's speech after those fatal wounds are slightly more believable.

[the film freak]

Bowie's entrance kicked all kinds of ass.

"I know when to go out."

[Nate Grey]

There should be a sequel: "The Wacky Misadventures of Tesla!".

[the film freak]

There should be a sequel: "The Wacky Misadventures of Tesla!".

Him and Edison can duke it out on a Zeppelin.

[Nate Grey]

Him and Edison can duke it out on a Zeppelin.

With cameos by Jareth and Ziggy Stardust.

[Dreadstar]

I kinda had everything figured out. I was actually hoping that the "trick" to Angier's version of the transported man *wasn't* what the earlier plot twist suggested. Alas, it was.

I was holding out for a more mundane explanation, as in:
The guy who goes through the trap door and drowns is Angier's earlier double, and the whole trick was no more than doubles again.

I actually felt a bit... cheated by the "truth" of the trick, but at least they made the issue weighty. Imagine Angier doing this "trick" EVERY NIGHT. *shudder* As for the twist with Bale, that was telegraphed from a long way off.

[Mia]

Just as an aside. Does anyone know what region in England Christian Bale grew up in?

[Kid Omega]

I kinda had everything figured out. I was actually hoping that the "trick" to Angier's version of the transported man *wasn't* what the earlier plot twist suggested. Alas, it was.

I actually felt a bit... cheated by the "truth" of the trick, but at least they made the issue weighty. Imagine Angier doing this "trick" EVERY NIGHT. *shudder* As for the twist with Bale, that was telegraphed from a long way off.

In the book, the twists and reveals are damn near impossible to figure out- even when they're explained, you often don't believe them. But they make perfect sense...

Man, it's a good read.

[Fish Sauce]

Just as an aside. Does anyone know what region in England Christian Bale grew up in?

I think he's Welsh, actually.

[The Xenos]

As a Welsh fan on another comic book board pointed out, yes, Christian Bale is Welsh. So is Tom Jones. (Don't ask.)

As for Tesla vs Edison, aside from non-fiction, there's a neat comic / graphic novel called The Five Fists of Science with Tesla and Twain teaming up to fight Edition and JP Morgan. There's a giant robot involved.

[the film freak]

As a Welsh fan on another comic book board pointed out, yes, Christian Bale is Welsh. So is Tom Jones. (Don't ask.)

I think traveled around a bit as a kid. Probably why he's so good with accents.

As for Tesla vs Edison, aside from non-fiction, there's a neat comic / graphic novel called The Five Fists of Science with Tesla and Twain teaming up to fight Edition and JP Morgan.

Been meaning to check this out.

There's a giant robot involved.

I'm sold.

[the film freak]

I kinda had everything figured out. I was actually hoping that the "trick" to Angier's version of the transported man *wasn't* what the earlier plot twist suggested. Alas, it was.

I was holding out for a more mundane explanation, as in:
The guy who goes through the trap door and drowns is Angier's earlier double, and the whole trick was no more than doubles again.

I actually felt a bit... cheated by the "truth" of the trick, but at least they made the issue weighty. Imagine Angier doing this "trick" EVERY NIGHT. *shudder* As for the twist with Bale, that was telegraphed from a long way off.

The movie clearly states that the truth of trick was usually so simple and obvious that most people are disappointed when they find out. I think finding out the secret wasn't what the movie was about (nor the book to a degree). The lengths they would go to keep that secret was really what the movie was about.

[Nate Grey]

The movie clearly states that the truth of trick was usually so simple and obvious that most people are disappointed when they find out. I think finding out the secret wasn't what the movie was about (nor the book to a degree). The lengths they would go to keep that secret was really what the movie was about.

Yeah, its like when Alfred told his wife the secret to some trick after she begged and begged, she was like, "Well now that I know its quite boring."

[the film freak]

Yeah, its like when Alfred told his wife the secret to some trick after she begged and begged, she was like, "Well now that I know its quite boring."

I like how he tried to impress her again by saying it could be quite dangerous.

[Mia]

I think he's Welsh, actually.


He was born in Wales. But he grew up England. And defines himself as being English. In an interview he mentioned that he hated having to work out for Batman Begins. He said he was English and would prefer to go down to the pub and smoke cigarettes. I was just wondering what part of England he was from, 'cause the accent was hard to place.

[the film freak]

Wikipedia says his family settled down in Bournemouth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bournemouth) for a few years.

[riotgear]

The twin that died's lover was still alive. And the twin that lived's lover was dead. Things like that made the drive home interestin as I thought aboout all that.

Which was fitting, since the twin that lived was the father of the little girl.

[the film freak]

Which was fitting, since the twin that lived was the father of the little girl.

Actually I'm wondering... If that twin was the one who fathered the little girl? It seemed both of them treated her like their daughter. In fact the he said the other twin should spend some time with her at the zoo even though he wasn't the one that loved Sarah. So maybe they took turns you doing their husbandly duties. Which is pretty disturbing and probably something that may have freaked out Sarah once she found out..

[Ryan K]

Yeah, I just kind of assumed that either of them could have been the father. And that they knew that.

[OhMyGato]

who is seeing this a second time in theaters?

after that hugh jackman still (with "two hughs" in it) and seeing the movie, i feel like i might've missed a few things. especially given nolan's fractured style.

[OhMyGato]

here's the pic i was talking about....Check out what's on the couch!

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0482571/0428.jpg.html

[Dreadstar]

What couch? Where?

[Jared]

I don't know what's suppossed to be in that picture either.

Anyhoo, I thought the movie was pretty good, not great. I suppose if if I hadn't noticed that Fallon was Christian Bale, a bit before the movie had revealed Tesla's duplicating machine, I would have been blown away. If you don't see it coming, it might be as good a twist as has ever been pulled off. I still dug the rivalry between the two men, the excellent peformances, and the fine visuals. And I know he's been in a few things, but I didn't know David Bowie could really act.

[kalorama]

I liked it more than I was expecting. I figured out most of the tweists far enough in advance of the ending that I had enough time to start second guessing myself by the time they were actually revealed. I think most of them had been pretty strongly telegraphed beforehand. I think that may have even been the point. The movie's storytelling structure was itself something of a magic trick, a reflection of the very principles they talked about in the film. You know it's a put on, you know it's a trick, but it's presented so well that you allow yourself to believe even though you know better.

[OhMyGato]

I don't know what's suppossed to be in that picture either.

sorry guys, here's the image i was talking about, see his head?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/narrows101/The%20Prestige/prestige5xq6.jpg

[Ryan K]

sorry guys, here's the image i was talking about, see his head?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/narrows101/The%20Prestige/prestige5xq6.jpg

Isn't that just the guy they hired to be Angier's double? What about it?

[OhMyGato]

Isn't that just the guy they hired to be Angier's double? What about it?

I was making a general comment about missing things the first time i saw the movie and how it's one of those flicks you would appreciate more with repeat viewings....

[saintsaucey]

Wow i was blown away didn't see the ending coming. neither of them Falon being a twin or the fact that he was killing him self each time. my only question was he killing the duplicate or him self each time if he killed him self and was replaced wow thats som commitment if he killed the duplicate not so much.

I was pretty sure that fallon was an actual twin and that tesla was misdirection used because he knew that angier had seen him at the presntation. but my buddy was convinced that he duplicated him self once and then used an actual double. either way it was still a great movie. I had forgotten about golum and Bowie being in the flick and the whole time i was trying to figure out who Tesla was. D'oh. still i loved it and will be adding it to my collection of movies when it comes out.

ps sorry for all the spoilers but if people haven't seen it by now well to bad for them

[Dan Apodaca]

Wow i was blown away didn't see the ending coming. neither of them Falon being a twin or the fact that he was killing him self each time. my only question was he killing the duplicate or him self each time if he killed him self and was replaced wow thats som commitment if he killed the duplicate not so much.

Well, that's the whole thing. He never really knew each time if he was the duplicate or the original. No way to tell.

I was pretty sure that fallon was an actual twin and that tesla was misdirection used because he knew that angier had seen him at the presntation. but my buddy was convinced that he duplicated him self once and then used an actual double.

I thought about this idea, too, and was almost firmly convinced of it, but it's explained away pretty easily, actually. Christian Bale's character was poor, remember? He would never be able to afford to pay Tesla for the machine.

Also, having a twin fits better with the themes of the movie and the contrast between his character and Hugh Jackman's. A major theme is the idea of sacrifice, and with the twin, Bale makes the larger sacrifice, confirming that he's the better magician. It also does that by having the idea of a twin or duplicate be the key to the trcik, rather than the trick itself. For the magicians, the skill isn't in having a perfect duplicate, but in what you do with it.

[Fish Sauce]

Yeah, Borden was a twin, no machine there.

Angier (the original Angier) is undoubtedly dead*, however it doesn't really matter - the "clones" are him. They have the same memories, simply at that point they branch off into two separate paths. This is why Angier never knows whether he drowns or lives. He really does both, but all that he remembers is going into the machine each night and being teleported.

* Depending on how the machine works, he was either shot the first time he used it or drowned on the first night.

[OhMyGato]

ps sorry for all the spoilers but if people haven't seen it by now well to bad for them

if you haven't seen it already get your ass to the theater.

[Ontir]

If you type "spoil" and "/spoil" between "[" and "]", with the spoilers between them, then you won't risk ruining the film for everyone else.

[Ryan K]

If people are in this thread several weeks after the film came out, then chances are they've seen it or want to be spoiled.

[jessecuster3]

What I am still unsure about is the last frame of the movie when you see one of the copies in the tank, I wasn't sure if that was Angier trying to survive the fire or just a dead copy. Or maybe I just thought too much about it.

[Ryan K]

What I am still unsure about is the last frame of the movie when you see one of the copies in the tank, I wasn't sure if that was Angier trying to survive the fire or just a dead copy. Or maybe I just thought too much about it.

They were just showing you one of the dead clones. Angier brought each and every one of them there after each night's performance.

[jessecuster3]

They were just showing you one of the dead clones. Angier brought each and every one of them there after each night's performance.

Thats what I thought, but you already knew that all those tanks were filled with bodies why did they specifically show that one, with its eyes open ?

[The Foreigner]

Thats what I thought, but you already knew that all those tanks were filled with bodies why did they specifically show that one, with its eyes open ?

Because that copy died with it's eyes open. You're trying to read too much into it.

[jessecuster3]

Because that copy died with it's eyes open. You're trying to read too much into it.


Wait so the whole point of the movie is showing how the main characters cheated death more than once and yet when the possibility that he cheated death once more comes up I am reading too much into it ?

[Jack]

I basically saw all the twists coming (some earlier than others), but I still loved them and the movie.

Re: Sarah killing herself, as someone brought up earlier, the reason she did it was because even though she knew they were twins, they refused to admit it to her, and they both insisted on living the same life. They were obsessed with it.

[Blueferret]

Thats what I thought, but you already knew that all those tanks were filled with bodies why did they specifically show that one, with its eyes open ?

I just watched this last night for the first time. Awesome movie. The last image of the movie is not of Jackman, but it looks like Bale's dead wife who hung herself.

[Ryan K]

I just watched this last night for the first time. Awesome movie. The last image of the movie is not of Jackman, but it looks like Bale's dead wife who hung herself.

Its not. It is certainly Jackman. No doubt about it.

[Ryan K]

I watched this again tonight abd damn it is an awesome film. How the hell did this not make tons of Top Ten lists and win a shitload of awards? Like Memento (and superiorly) Nolan uses the film's structure to reflect the content. Its an amazingly well done movie.

The only thing I can think of is the movie was just to "genre" for some tastes Its not a science fiction film, but it does use science fiction, and maybe that turned people off.

But its such a well done movie. The only flaw I really notice is the use of a couple deus-ex-machina-like, "oh its a movie" moments. Such as Borden giving Angier Tesla's name to screw with him, only to have Tesla really end up giving Angier a device. That's a little too "its a movie so we'll roll with it". Same thing with the ability of the two magician to three times in the film convenienty become the volunteer from the audience. It serves the plot. But that's about the only flaws I can find, and their certainly no more glaring than anything in any other highly praised film of most years.

[J. Robb]

The only thing I can think of is the movie was just to "genre" for some tastes Its not a science fiction film, but it does use science fiction, and maybe that turned people off.
I think this may be true because it sort of describes my feelings about the movie. I was really looking forward to it, and so I intentionally avoided reading too much about it because I wanted to be surprised.

It seemed like a really cool movie about rival magicians, and I thought it would remain at the "stage magic" level. When it turned out to be more of a science-fiction movie, my enthusiasm really waned. So I walked out somewhat disappointed.

[stealthwise]

But its such a well done movie. The only flaw I really notice is the use of a couple deus-ex-machina-like, "oh its a movie" moments. Such as Borden giving Angier Tesla's name to screw with him, only to have Tesla really end up giving Angier a device. That's a little too "its a movie so we'll roll with it". Same thing with the ability of the two magician to three times in the film convenienty become the volunteer from the audience. It serves the plot. But that's about the only flaws I can find, and their certainly no more glaring than anything in any other highly praised film of most years.

Remember that Borden and Angier were both at Tesla's experiment, and that Borden likely decided to use his name after noticing that Angier was there as well (remember that the diary was planted for Angier to take on purpose, and that he probably thought the idea of sending Angier all the way to American to "learn the secret" was hilarious). And the magicians also knew how they pick out volunteers from the audience, so were able to manipulate the assistants into picking them.

[BatKnight89]

I hate the prestige, it was so boring and so predictable, I felt insulted that they thought I wouldn't know that was Bale in make-up, I knew it would turn out to be his twin, such a lame soap opera moment.

The whole thing seemed muddled. My apologies to those of you who liked it, it's just my opinion. So please don't flame me for it.:evilsmile

[Sean Walsh]

I enjoyed this movie not just because of everything before the "big reveal", but because I figured out Jackman's backstory and was blown away with the pure simplicity of Bale's. Like Caine kept saying, it was the easiest answer!

I didn't really know what to expect going into it, only that "it's good" - being the review I had from a few friends. It was great. :)

[Black Atom]

Re: Sarah killing herself, as someone brought up earlier, the reason she did it was because even though she knew they were twins, they refused to admit it to her, and they both insisted on living the same life. They were obsessed with it.

It wasn't really evident to me that she knew. Did I miss something?

She still had many reasons to want to kill herself, though, but it never seemed she knew she was married to men, just one with very dual nature.

[Ryan K]

Remember that Borden and Angier were both at Tesla's experiment, and that Borden likely decided to use his name after noticing that Angier was there as well (remember that the diary was planted for Angier to take on purpose, and that he probably thought the idea of sending Angier all the way to American to "learn the secret" was hilarious).

Yeah I get that. Its just the huge leap of faith that Tesla was then able to make the machine that Borden is pretending exists (and Tesla is pretending exists) is a bit much. Its a bit of misdirection that serves the plot.

And the magicians also knew how they pick out volunteers from the audience, so were able to manipulate the assistants into picking them.

Is there that much of a system to it that they could manipulate it so that they were selected when they needed to? Fallon himself selected Angier for the bullet catch.

[Ryan K]

It wasn't really evident to me that she knew. Did I miss something?

She still had many reasons to want to kill herself, though, but it never seemed she knew she was married to men, just one with very dual nature.

Its a bit ambiguous. The last couple scenes with her she says things like "I know about you" and things like that. And Borden tells Fallon that she knows something isn't right. So its very possible that she had figured it out. But you're right, she had plenty of other reasons to kill herself (Borden's percieved infidelity).

Personally I like the idea that she knew in the end. Adds another layer to the whole thing.

[hoffmandu]

I watched this again tonight abd damn it is an awesome film. How the hell did this not make tons of Top Ten lists and win a shitload of awards? Like Memento (and superiorly) Nolan uses the film's structure to reflect the content. Its an amazingly well done movie.

The only thing I can think of is the movie was just to "genre" for some tastes Its not a science fiction film, but it does use science fiction, and maybe that turned people off.

But its such a well done movie. The only flaw I really notice is the use of a couple deus-ex-machina-like, "oh its a movie" moments. Such as Borden giving Angier Tesla's name to screw with him, only to have Tesla really end up giving Angier a device. That's a little too "its a movie so we'll roll with it". Same thing with the ability of the two magician to three times in the film convenienty become the volunteer from the audience. It serves the plot. But that's about the only flaws I can find, and their certainly no more glaring than anything in any other highly praised film of most years.

I don't know, there's only so much Non Wolverine Jackman one can take. He's not that great of an actor. Also, i found the film to be poorly edited together. The diary theme was a good idea, in theory, but not well pulled off. the first time around i found myself lost, always wondering what timeline I was watching. Really, that's my only beef, otherwise, I enjoyed it, and found it better on the second time around.

[DC/Marvelfan]

To this day I still don't see how this movie got three stars.

When I first saw it I predicted every bit of its easily predictable plot, and it still ticks me off as to how stupid it is.

Some surprise ending. :rolleyes:

Are they trying to insult the audience's intelligence thinking that you can't tell that's Bale in make-up the whole time as the other guy. I was like, uh duh that is obviously Bale in make-up and he's his twin and that's how the trick is done, then there's the dumb cloning machine, I saw that one coming.

Just a boring movie.

I hope they get some one with more imagination to take over Batman soon before those get even worse.

Can someone tell Nolan to stop trying to put the audience to sleep.

[Pól Rua]

You're so clever.
I wish you made all the films.

[the goddamn batman]

So... possibly insulting your intelligence is a terrible thing, but out right insulting a film maker and his work is ok?

Also, you know, spoilers, because not everyone has seen this movie.

[Chiasm]

To this day I still don't see how this movie got three stars.

When I first saw it I predicted every bit of its easily predictable plot, and it still ticks me off as to how stupid it is.

Some surprise ending. :rolleyes:

Are they trying to insult the audience's intelligence thinking that you can't tell that's Bale in make-up the whole time as the other guy. I was like, uh duh that is obviously Bale in make-up and he's his twin and that's how the trick is done, then there's the dumb cloning machine, I saw that one coming.

Just a boring movie.

I hope they get some one with more imagination to take over Batman soon before those get even worse.

Can someone tell Nolan to stop trying to put the audience to sleep.

Uwe Boll is that you?

[Jack]

I disagreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[Thorlief]

well I couldn't tell it was Bale under make-up. Maybe I'm stupid?

[Pro]

I was like, uh duh that is obviously Bale in make-up and he's his twin and that's how the trick is done, then there's the dumb cloning machine, I saw that one coming.

You saw the cloning machine coming? You must be a bloody genius. When did you see it coming exactly?

[Conn Seanery]

I knew that it was Bale in makeup right from the get-go, and that didn't make the movie any less entertaining to me. Well, maybe a little less, but still pretty damn good.

[IamtheRock3]

think a lot of people guess the twin thing

but not the other twist

[KenK]

I think what gets you is the misdirection. For one, before Fallon is even introduced, you had several instances of Bale and Jackman's characters in very simple disguises that you're supposed to be able to tell it's them, where as the Fallon disguise is pretty elaborate, and there are never really that many lingering shots on him for you to know for sure. Even if the disguise looks fake, you still might not put two and two together to say "hey, it's his twin!". Not to mention the whole cutting off of the fingers, thing. Then you introduce the whole cloning machine thing, and you're so focused on such a fantastical element, you're not bother to consider the simplest explanation for how Borden did his trick.

[Jmacq1]

Heck, I thought Fallon was Judd Nelson after the first few glimpses of him. :p

[jesse_custer]

I also guessed the ending. However, what I admired about this movie is that it didn't rely on the twists. It relied on great direction, dialogue, and characterization. David Bowie as Tesla was a fantastic decision, and Jackman managed to outdo Bale, much to my surprise. Of course, the interesting facet of this film is how it doesn't have any real heroes or villains. Good commentary on obsession as well.

Oh yeah, the way they paralleled Tesla's and Edison's conflict with the main story was quite impressive thematically.

[4thHorseman]

I wasn't so suprised from the twin thing. They even had it said many times in the film he had someone else doing the trick with him, it was just being debated with Hugh's character.

I was more intrigued:
the cloning machine. Pretty easy to understand it when they were showing it, and I knew it was creating another body (thus why he found the hats). So I was more curious as to what was happening to all the other bodies. It was crazy to hear that he was killing all of them.

[Fish Sauce]

You're so clever.
I wish you made all the films.

Me too. It would be a golden age for cinema.

[literally exaggerated]

I liked it a lot, and din't guess the twin thing until about 2/3rds through the movie. I guess that makes me an idiot though.

[Nate Grey]

Wow, I didn't guess any of it. Guess I'm a noob. The main thing I took from the movie, though: even in an alternate reality, Alfred's got Batman's back.

[Slam_Bradley]

The fact that you don't enjoy a movie doesn't make it an insult.

The opening statement in this thread is just bizarre.

[Thorlief]

Wow, I didn't guess any of it. Guess I'm a noob. The main thing I took from the movie, though: even in an alternate reality, Alfred's got Batman's back.


lol, true. And it's the same for me: when I watch a movie with some mysteries I don't spend my time trying to figure out why or who or when, I just enjoy it, it's called suspension of disbelief.

[Leslie Lee III]

lol, true. And it's the same for me: when I watch a movie with some mysteries I don't spend my time trying to figure out why or who or when, I just enjoy it, it's called suspension of disbelief.

Same here. I really don't get why people are like that. From my experience it's usually people who are clueless in real life that desperate try to figure out every movie at the opening credits, and they make damn sure to keep you updated on their investigation if you watch a movie with them.

[Nate Grey]

Same here. I really don't get why people are like that. From my experience it's usually people who are clueless in real life that desperate try to figure out every movie at the opening credits, and they make damn sure to keep you updated on their investigation if you watch a movie with them.

There might be some truth to that, sadly. For instance, I'm one of the (few?) people who didn't guess the ending to the Sixth Sense (I had my own theory that didn't pan out). But I keep hearing "I guessed the ending to Sixth Sense, therefore it sucked", essentially.

EDIT!: Conversely, I DID guess the twist to "The Lake House" almost immediately, but I still enjoyed the movie. Guessing the twist isn't enough to ruin a movie for me. But for all I know that could just be me, and I'm fine with that. :)

[jesse_custer]

I didn't guess "The Sixth Sense" ending. In fact, every time I talked to someone who did, their reasoning for why they guessed it didn't make much sense. That may be one of those conclusions where people feel like an idiot for not guessing it, so they just bullshit to sound smart.

[Nate Grey]

I didn't guess "The Sixth Sense" ending. In fact, every time I talked to someone who did, their reasoning for why they guessed it didn't make much sense. That may be one of those conclusions where people feel like an idiot for not guessing it, so they just bullshit to sound smart.

Heh, you might be right too. That's just the overwhelming response I got IRL life. "Pft, I guessed it the moment I saw Bruce Wills." Stuff like that. Same with the reasoning: "Well, the kid said he could talk to dead people, therefore, Bruce Willis was dead the whole time!"

[Thorlief]

Same here. I really don't get why people are like that. From my experience it's usually people who are clueless in real life that desperate try to figure out every movie at the opening credits, and they make damn sure to keep you updated on their investigation if you watch a movie with them.

yes, and I hate it. They seem to not even care about the movie itself; from the moment they see a mystery all their attention goes to that, wearing that UHMM completely absent and slightly retarded facial expression; they see the movie but they aren't watching it. I believe they don't even know how to enjoy a mystery movie, novel or whatsoever.

It's gonna be fun to watch Monk with one of em

[jesse_custer]

Same with the reasoning: "Well, the kid said he could talk to dead people, therefore, Bruce Willis was dead the whole time!"

That's when you say, "So maybe his mother was dead, too, dumbass."

[Nate Grey]

That's when you say, "So maybe his mother was dead, too, dumbass."

LOL In all honestly, yes, yes maybe I should have every time I came across that (seriously, that's one of the most prevelant reasons I came across about the time the movie came out). I just took it to mean maybe some people are more intuitive than others (or me), but they let that get in the way of actually enjoying the movie. But your "they're bulls**ting to make themselves seem smart" seems more likely.

[Karl J Barnes]

yes, and I hate it. They seem to not even care about the movie itself; from the moment they see a mystery all their attention goes to that, wearing that UHMM completely absent and slightly retarded facial expression; they see the movie but they aren't watching it. I believe they don't even know how to enjoy a mystery movie, novel or whatsoever.

It's gonna be fun to watch Monk with one of em

Or Psych. You go to a movie to enjoy it. I didn't get the twins thing nor the Bruce was dead the whole time thing,but when they were revealed. Everything made sense and it pulled the whole story together.

[JohnPopa]

I didn't catch that it was Bale in make-up. I too must be braindead, per DC/MarvelFan. I'll be sure and make mention of that in my suicide note.

[Ryan K]

I believe, as do many others, that Nolan wants you to figure out Bale is Borden and Fallon.

The entire film is structured like the magic tricks it's portraying. I believe the first line of the film is "are you watching closely", and they show the field of hats. At numerous points Michael Caine's character remarks Borden is using a double. The fact that Borden and Fallon are both Bale isn't a twist in my mind.

I think the real twist in the film (if indeed there is one) is that after we the audience are shown Tesla's machine he built for Angier and see what it does, our mind starts to wonder exactly who Borden and Fallon are. But as the film tells as repeatedly, the answer is simple and right in front of our eyes. They're twins. Twins (who like the old Chinese magician) have sacrificed how they live their lives for their craft.

Personally I loved the film. Thought it was one of the best films of last year by far. I was processing and debating what we had been shown up until the final moment and found it to be more stimulating that a lot of films with twists like The Usual Suspects or The Sixth Sense (which I did figure out early because (A) Osment's mother does not react to him and (B) he doesn't change clothing - in tandem with the concept of the film).

[jesse_custer]

That's probably the most solid reason I've ever heard or read in regard to someone guessing Sixth Sense.

[Jack]

It is, by the way, extremely and deliberately obvious in the original novel that they're twins. The blurb even mentions that the trick is... actually, I'll just quote it.At the heart of the row is an amazing illusion that they both perform during their stage acts. The secret of the magic is simple, and the reader is in on it almost from the start, but to the antagonists the real mystery lies deeper. Both have something more to hide than the mere workings of a trick.I saw the movie first, and I guessed just about everything, but it did in no way detract from my enjoyment of what was an excellently crafted film.

[kalorama]

There might be some truth to that, sadly. For instance, I'm one of the (few?) people who didn't guess the ending to the Sixth Sense (I had my own theory that didn't pan out). But I keep hearing "I guessed the ending to Sixth Sense, therefore it sucked", essentially.

EDIT!: Conversely, I DID guess the twist to "The Lake House" almost immediately, but I still enjoyed the movie. Guessing the twist isn't enough to ruin a movie for me. But for all I know that could just be me, and I'm fine with that. :)

I did guess the ending to the Sixth Sense and I did think it sucked. Not because I guessed the ending, but because it seemed the entire point of the movie was really to herd to audience towards the big twist. If the big twist isn't a "shock" then all the stuff that comes before falls flat. I would have been fine with guessing the ending if the movie had offered anything else to keep me engaged.

As for The Prestige, I liked it. Even if you did guess the twin thing, it's not like it was the only twist or even the driving story point. There was a lot more going on.

[Nate Grey]

I did guess the ending to the Sixth Sense and I did think it sucked. Not because I guessed the ending, but because it seemed the entire point of the movie was really to herd to audience towards the big twist. If the big twist isn't a "shock" then all the stuff that comes before falls flat. I would have been fine with guessing the ending if the movie had offered anything else to keep me engaged.

See that's cool and makes sense, its just I've generally heard "Guessed the ending = whole movie sucked". Oddly enough, the reason you just described is why I can't watch it now. It was a shock to me, but it just wasn't...enough. Best way I can describe it. :(

As for The Prestige, I liked it. Even if you did guess the twin thing, it's not like it was the only twist or even the driving story point. There was a lot more going on.

What I took from the movie is two men's beef with each other and how far each was willing to go with it. Everything else was gravy of course, but I liked that aspect of it most of all, and how it essentially destroyed their relationships with their friends and family.

[4thHorseman]

See that's cool and makes sense, its just I've generally heard "Guessed the ending = whole movie sucked".

I hear that a lot too, unless the ending is SOOOOO out there it HAS to be good.

Example: Saw.

I thought it was a terrible movie, but everyone I talk to seems to love it, mainly because the ending was so unpredictable. I personally, thought the ending was so plot-hole filled that it completely ruined the ending and made the movie that much more unbearable.

[The Zapper]

This thread delivers.

[Thorlief]

This thread delivers.

I figured it out after the second post

BA-DA-BAM

[saintsaucey]

I personally like the prestigue.(sp) thought it was the best movie of the year (like was already said) Way better than the crappu illusionist and i like ed norton. Didn't see the twin thing coming. didn't see the cloneing thing coming even after the feild of hats. i just assumed that they had worked out the kinks with it and instead of duplicating him it transported him.

to this day there are still thing about the movie i don't fully understand. but in the book you are meant to know that their are essentially two Professors

as for the six sense i spent the whole movie getting more and more pissed at his wife.

[Nate Grey]

to this day there are still thing about the movie i don't fully understand. but in the book you are meant to know that their are essentially two Professors

Was the second one named Gareth?

[Antonio B.]

I couldn't disagree more.

[jesse_custer]

I hear that a lot too, unless the ending is SOOOOO out there it HAS to be good.

Example: Saw.

I thought it was a terrible movie, but everyone I talk to seems to love it, mainly because the ending was so unpredictable. I personally, thought the ending was so plot-hole filled that it completely ruined the ending and made the movie that much more unbearable.

Strangely enough, I was going to make this comparison earlier in the thread but didn't. I would much rather watch something like The Prestige, where the ending is predictable but the overall product great. Whereas Saw, as you correctly stated, has a totally left-field ending that tries to make up for a lackluster build-up. And the thing is, the ending is totally unbelievable despite being unpredictable.

[Jack]

Was the second one named Gareth?
Albert + Frederick = Alfred.

[Nate Grey]

Albert + Frederick = Alfred.

Oh, okay. Thomas Newton was going to be my next guess.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

It was solid story telling and a great use of misdirection. We're repeatedly told the secret of the trick, but I for one refused to believe it was that simple.
If this film were an insult, the insult went over my head.
it was among the better films released in the last 5 years, to me.

[StoneGold]

It sucked, because everyone knows Wolverine would kick Batman's ass.

[Black Atom]

Illusionist was the one that was an insult.

[saintsaucey]

Illusionist was the one that was an insult.

Quoted 4 Truth

[StoneGold]

Illusionist was the one that was an insult.

Yeah, but mostly because Ed Norton wasn't a good enough actor to play the same age as Jessica Biels.



And I'm putting the onus on Norton, because no one expects Biels to be a good enough actress.

[Thorlief]

Illusionist was the one that was an insult.

now that was a obvious plot twist. Heck, the plan was so goddamn predictable I felt robbed

Paul Giamatti was good tho

[Slam_Bradley]

Illusionist was the one that was an insult.


Nope. I'm pretty sure it was also a movie.

[Scott Evil]

You should consider it lucky it was just an insult. It could've raped your childhood. Imagine how much more damaging that could've been..

[StoneGold]

Nope. I'm pretty sure it was also a movie.

Illusion isn't an insult. Trick is. It's something whores do for money... or cocaine.

[BoosterBronze]

I guessed the twin thing about half way through.

Then I was so pleased with myself for guessing 'the secret' that the clone-a-porter took me totaly by surprise.

I call "The Prestige" probably my favorite movie in the last five years.

[BoosterBronze]

Illusionist was the one that was an insult.

How exactly was it insulting? What does that even mean?

[Thorlief]

maybe he meant an insult to our intelligence, a statement I agree wholeheartedly with

[Black Atom]

Illusionist goads you towards a Usual Suspects-type twist conclusion where you're supposed to appreciate the ingenuity and inventiveness of the main character. UNLIKE the Prestige, where you can appreciate Bale's character's dedication once his trick is revealed, you can't appreciate any of the Norton character's illusions because they're implausible and unexplained, taking the weight out of the whole conclusion. So, yes, it insults the intelligence of the viewer because it asks you to appreciate the genius of a character even though it's not evident for any other reason than the writers say so.

[J. Robb]

It was solid story telling and a great use of misdirection. We're repeatedly told the secret of the trick, but I for one refused to believe it was that simple.
I think my problem with the movie wasn't that I refused to believe it was that simple, but that I wasn't expecting a sci-fi movie.

When you go to a movie about rival stage magicians, and it opens with "watch closely", that sort of leads you to be believe there is a real trick going on for you to figure out. But there wasn't.

Still, I wouldn't call the movie an insult. Just disappointing.

[Athena Bast]

I didn't catch that it was Bale in make-up. I too must be braindead, per DC/MarvelFan. I'll be sure and make mention of that in my suicide note.

I guessed Bale was playing Fallon by looking at his shoulders when he was talking to the little girl.

I suspected they had Bale playing Fallon like they had Jackman play the drunkard earlier.

With Tesla's copy machine and him saying Bale's first character didn't buy one from him, you're left thinking, well okay then. Jackman had a "twin" without the machine. If he had a twinning machine and Tesla was paid to screw with Jackman's head and all, what was he doing with all the copies? Jackman thought Bale was doing something he wasn't, in more ways than one.

The whole movie is based on assumptions made. Assumptions from the audience and assumptions by the characters. Hell, that's all magic is about as well, assumptions.

[Jared]

By his second or third scene I was sure that Bale was playing Fallon, but I assumed it'd be the result of Tesla's machine..

I kept expecting some kind of explanation for how the drunkard could look so much like Jackman's character. The idea that he just happened to be a doppleganger, in the same city no less, doesn't really sit right with me.

I enjoyed the movie, more for the style and the battle of wits between the leads than the twist.

[the goddamn batman]

I rarely try to figure out a movie. I didn't try nor did I guess the ending of the Prestige. I enjoyed it for being a well acted and well shot film.

I did guess the ending of The Sixth Sense. It was all the red. And no one ever talked to him. And the same clothes. Also, I didn't see it until most other people had, so I spent about 3 months hearing, "ZOMG, it's soooooo good, you'll NEVER GUESS the ending!!!". Not that I tried, but all the red at specific moments made it to obvious. Simple symbolism just flaunted about the place. But it was better than the Village.:eek:

[Jettison]

I agree with the thread starter.

[Slam_Bradley]

I agree with the thread starter.


So maybe you can explain what it means for a movie to be an "insult."

[Rabid Trekkie]

Well I'm one of those people who try to figure out mysteries from the beginning, I just figured that's what the audience is supposed to do. I figured what was going on with Jackman's trick first, the one with Bale had me guessing till just a couple seconds before the reveal.

It didn't change my enjoyment of the movie though, the show was awesome and further proof that Batman is better than anyone. Prestige also confirmed for me that Nolan is a great director and that Batman Begins wasn't a fluke, so now I have another director's movies to look for.

[Jack]

Illusion isn't an insult. Trick is. It's something whores do for money... or cocaine.
But not candy. Oooh, self-referencing reference.

[Pól Rua]

I think what gets you is the misdirection.

I think the idea of someone walking into a movie about magicians and being
annoyed at misdirection is funny.
But I guess I'm just like that.

[The Xenos]

Wow. You figured out the mystery before everyone else. You want a metal or something?

I figured out most if it before the movie was over. Yet I still enjoyed it. It wasn't just about the twist. There were characters and themes and cinematography.

You focus on one facet of the film and decree you're too smart for it and everyone is stupid. If anything you're the idiot for missing the rest of the film.

I see other people attack Signs for the same reason. They were too busy looking for a twist of an alien movie to realize the movie wasn't about aliens at all. It was about a minister who had lost faith.

Plus we had the whole Ra's Al Ghul thing in Batman Begins. I suspected that from the get go, just knowing how the character was. And I still enjoyed it.

[kmeyers]

The whole movie was structured like a magic trick. Everyone knows the reveal is the most disappointing part of any magic trick.

[J. Robb]

The whole movie was structured like a magic trick. Everyone knows the reveal is the most disappointing part of any magic trick.
I just think it would have been cooler if the reveal was at all related to actual stage magic. That was the kind of movie I was hoping for.

[kmeyers]

I just think it would have been cooler if the reveal was at all related to actual stage magic. That was the kind of movie I was hoping for.

It wasn't related to actual stage magic?

I'll admit I don't know the history of stage magic or anything, but in the movie they made it seem pretty clear that the best tricks were all about dedication to the trade. Like the "old" asian magician keeping up the act even in public when it's inconvenient for him to do so.

[J. Robb]

It wasn't related to actual stage magic?

I'll admit I don't know the history of stage magic or anything, but in the movie they made it seem pretty clear that the best tricks were all about dedication to the trade. Like the "old" asian magician keeping up the act even in public when it's inconvenient for him to do so.
That was part of it, but there was obviously the sci-fi element as well.

[kmeyers]

That was part of it, but there was obviously the sci-fi element as well.

To me, I thought that(the sci fi) was out of place and odd on purpose. It was really anti stage magic, and pro real magic. But at what cost?

I thought stage magic(killing birds over and over), while having some paralells with the sci fi magic wasn't as bad a killing clones over and over just to have the best trick.

[FreeXenu]

The only thing worse than The Prestige is The Illusionist.

[kmeyers]

The only thing worse than The Prestige is The Illusionist.

The only thing worse than Xenu is Scientology.

[FreeXenu]

The only thing worse than Xenu is Scientology.

And that's exactly why we must free him.

[kmeyers]

And that's exactly why we must free him.

Is it like in Kingdom Come when the Gulog gets broken open?

[Pól Rua]

I think my problem with the movie wasn't that I refused to believe it was that simple, but that I wasn't expecting a sci-fi movie.

When you go to a movie about rival stage magicians, and it opens with "watch closely", that sort of leads you to be believe there is a real trick going on for you to figure out. But there wasn't.

Still, I wouldn't call the movie an insult. Just disappointing.

Um. Sometimes, it's GOOD to have something unexpected happen.
There IS a trick. They set up your expectations and give you something unexpected.
There WAS a real trick, except it was metatextual rather than textual.

[J. Robb]

Um. Sometimes, it's GOOD to have something unexpected happen.
There IS a trick. They set up your expectations and give you something unexpected.
There WAS a real trick, except it was metatextual rather than textual.
I wouldn't call it a trick, and I'm not saying it's a bad movie, just that for me, it was disappointing because I was hoping for a cool movie about real-world stage magic, not sci-fi.

Also, Scarlett Johansson needed less clothing.

[DC/Marvelfan]

Another stupid thing about it, is that they make Bale seem like the victim and Hugh the bad guy, Bale killed Hugh's wife!!! He was told not to use that knot. Uh Duh. I had no sympathy at all for Bale's character.

Such a dumb movie. I expected good and got a dull predictable garbage.

[Jared]

Another stupid thing about it, is that they make Bale seem like the victim and Hugh the bad guy, Bale killed Hugh's wife!!! He was told not to use that knot. Uh Duh. I had no sympathy at all for Bale's character.


In fairness, Hugh's wife wanted him to use the harder knot. What was really sick about Bale's characters is that they would share a wife without her knowledge.

[Rabid Trekkie]

Another stupid thing about it, is that they make Bale seem like the victim and Hugh the bad guy, Bale killed Hugh's wife!!! He was told not to use that knot. Uh Duh. I had no sympathy at all for Bale's character.

Such a dumb movie. I expected good and got a dull predictable garbage.

Well anyone who has read this far has been spoiled about the movie anyway so might as well.

It isn't that Bale used the wrong knot. It's about which Bale did it. Both times when asked which knot was used at gun point, he said he didn't know. Apparently both times Hugh confronted him it was the other Bale. So one of The Professor's was a sympathetic guy.