The Prestige vs. The Illusionist

[jhiggy23]

I am a big fan of both The Prestige and The Illusionist. Before all of my dvds were stolen, I owned both films and watched them often. Today I bought The Prestige for $15 at Target, so it had me thinking of a debate I had with several people awhile ago regarding the two films, and which one my friends preferred. So, here is a poll. Please pick which film you like better and tell why.


I really like the complexity, acting, and cinematography of The Prestige. I am not a huge fan of the ending, but I do not hate it like some people either. I just think it is an unnecessary deus ex machina, but I still really like the film.

I personally prefer The Illusionist. Paul Giamatti should have gotten an Oscar nom, and so should've Philip Glass for his wonderful score. I also like the complexity of this film very much and actually prefer the way the complexity was used over The Prestige, because I didn't feel like it was a "cop-out" in any way. I just love the sense of wonderment in the film, and the ending scene at the train station is just beautiful to me.

That being said, both are excellent films. Also, if anyone owns the Canadien blu of The Illusionist, I would appreciate knowing what kind of quality it has. Thanks!


Josh

[Kryptonic]

I adore The Prestige. Maybe Nolan's best film.

Never cared for Illusionist. Found it to be a bore.

[Blu Titan]

The Prestige is the better film.

[assydingo]

I feel like I'd need to see them again to say. Both were good.

[Call_Me_Megatron]

I prefer the Prestige. No real reason but I just like it better. I did like the Illusionist tho, just not as much.

I didn't even know there was a Canadian BD for the Illusionist. My guess is that it's an Alliance release and those have been really hit-or-miss. They like to mess with the OAR (ex. Blade, Se7en) so I tend not to buy them anymore.

[toef]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

I adore The Prestige. Maybe Nolan's best film.

Never cared for Illusionist. Found it to be a bore.

Sums up my thoughts.

[Fighter]

Huge fan of both....slight nod for Illusionist

[Blu-Malibu2009]

The Prestige.

[Batman00]

i loved both. i found that i couldn't watch Prestige that much, but an awesome movie

[benzgrl]

I guess I should re-watch The Prestige as I don't remember it too well, but I do remember how the film made me feel, just being difficult for me to watch. I wasn't drawn to either of the main characters, did not feel sympathy, was not routing for them. Probably too dark for me.

The Illusionist I absolutely loved, beautiful love story - seeing Edward Norton in this and The Painted Veil has made me a fan. Jessica Beil surprised me in this role; she definitely can carry a period film and did superbly on the accent. The amazing unexpected twist at the end was delightful and gratifying.

[Fighter]

Can't wait for the american release of 'The Illusionist' on blu

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by benzgrl

I guess I should re-watch The Prestige as I don't remember it too well, but I do remember how the film made me feel, just being difficult for me to watch. I wasn't drawn to either of the main characters, did not feel sympathy, was not routing for them. Probably too dark for me.

You're not supposed to have sympathy for them. It's a character study about obsession. Why must every movie have a happy ending or a fairytale story?

[benzgrl]

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

You're not supposed to have sympathy for them. It's a character study about obsession. Why must every movie have a happy ending or a fairytale story?

It's just merely my feelings on the film. I don't only like movies that have happy endings. I appreciate your take on the film and respect that. It's not a matter of what you're "suppose" to feel or not. I'm just telling you what I felt, nothing more. I was merely trying to give reasons as to why I like one over the other as the OP asked.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by benzgrl

I guess I should re-watch The Prestige as I don't remember it too well, but I do remember how the film made me feel, just being difficult for me to watch. I wasn't drawn to either of the main characters, did not feel sympathy, was not routing for them. Probably too dark for me.

The Illusionist I absolutely loved, beautiful love story - seeing Edward Norton in this and The Painted Veil has made me a fan. Jessica Beil surprised me in this role; she definitely can carry a period film and did superbly on the accent. The amazing unexpected twist at the end was delightful and gratifying.

I agree on all points, although I did like The Prestige very much despite not caring for the characters.

I also agree that Biel did a great job.

Thank you to those who have listed their thoughts instead of just merely voting. I expected The Prestige to have more votes, but maybe not this many because of the ppl I know who have seen both, most of them preferred The Illusionist.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

You're not supposed to have sympathy for them. It's a character study about obsession. Why must every movie have a happy ending or a fairytale story?

You are completely right--the main theme of the film is obsession, and I think it portrays this theme very well.

Your last comment missed the point of what he said though. I too did not care for the characters but enjoyed the film immensely. One reason I liked The Illusionist better is that I just really liked the characters. Liking the characters is not essential to me, but in this case it propelled one film above the other, at least for me.

[Secretagentnumber6]

I love em both. I voted Prestige because the story in the Prestige is much more interesting to me, with a historical fiction feel to it. The Illusionist, also had this feel too, but in the end while I think they are both worthy films I just enjoyed the Prestige more. Illusionist is a great film too but Prestige was just better in my opinion.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by jstasa51

Can't wait for the american release of 'The Illusionist' on blu

I know, me too! I actually heard the Canadian release is pretty good (the film will never look amazing on blu--it is meant to resemble an old photograph, which is why sepia tone is used predominately), but those who have reviewed the film on Amazon have said it looks very good. I am conflicted about whether to buy the Canadian version or wait for the American version. I have found this to be an issue with several films, most recently Red Cliff.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Secretagentnumber6

I love em both. I voted Prestige because the story in the Prestige is much more interesting to me, with a historical fiction feel to it. The Illusionist, also had this feel too, but in the end while I think they are both worthy films I just enjoyed the Prestige more. Illusionist is a great film too but Prestige was just better in my opinion.

Thanks for the post. I agree with you about The Prestige in that it had a more interesting story and kept me on the edge of my seat. The Illusionist was more subtle and required more patience. The films are so completely different though.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

You are completely right--the main theme of the film is obsession, and I think it portrays this theme very well.

Your last comment missed the point of what he said though. I too did not care for the characters but enjoyed the film immensely. One reason I liked The Illusionist better is that I just really liked the characters. Liking the characters is not essential to me, but in this case it propelled one film above the other, at least for me.

If the characters aren't intended to be likeable, how can that be a criticism of the film? Daniel Day-Lewis' character in There Will Be Blood is about as likeable as Hitler. But the point of the film wasn't to make the audience like his character. It was merely to study his character, perhaps to give the audience an example of how not to behave. I think the characters in The Prestige are not as loathsome as Daniel Plainview in TWBB, but at the same time they are not beacons of morality and their behavior is pretty despicable. I think The Prestige is a good warning against obsession with one's work. Look what it did to the main characters' private lives (IE marriages/relationships).

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Megatron

I prefer the Prestige. No real reason but I just like it better. I did like the Illusionist tho, just not as much.

I didn't even know there was a Canadian BD for the Illusionist. My guess is that it's an Alliance release and those have been really hit-or-miss. They like to mess with the OAR (ex. Blade, Se7en) so I tend not to buy them anymore.

Thanks for the insight into potential issues regarding that release.

I know what you mean about liking both films and not having a real reason to choose one over the other, which is why I made this poll. Of all the ppl I know who have seen both films, every single one of them have liked both. It really just comes down to a matter of preference. The Prestige is certainly more exciting and tackles a major issue (obsession), while The Illusionist is a unique love story.

I disagree with one poster, however, in that The Prestige felt more historical. I personally think that The Illusionist felt more historical, mainly because of the true nature of Crown Prince Rudolph and Vienna.