The Prestige vs. The Illusionist

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

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

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

I agree. I loved the prestige, but I could never get into the Illusionist.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I think both are intriguing films. The Prestige is the one I come back to the most and it's 10/10 for me. The Illusionist is 9/10 and also has some strong performances. I prefer Nolan's directing. Caine and Bowie had small roles, but added something important.

Incidentally, I own the Alliance version of The Illusionist. No special features but an excellent transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Well worth picking up unless you are someone that needs to see special features.

Thanks for the info on the Alliance version!

[Q?]

Originally Posted by Q!

I voted The Prestige.
I didn't like the CGI in The Illusionist, if only the had used practical effects.
The twist in the end I saw coming from a mile, Paul Giamatti's wtf moment at the twist only made it worse.

But it's hard to hate the movie when Jessica Biel is in it.

[dahoover]

The Prestige by a mile!

The Illusionist is a good movie but The Prestige is one of my favorites!

[Astrakan]

The Illusionist by far. The Prestige was too predictable.

KM

[Elandyll]

The illusionist for me.

I saw the "twin brother" thing coming from a mile away, and Christian Bale's acting (as is the case too often) was too one dimensional for me.
The only good parts were Hugh Jackman (very invested in his role, should have had an oscar nod), Bowie and the always awesome Michael Caine (even if not particularly original this time around, almost a clone of Alfred).

I found the Illusionist to be more compelling, and much more satisfying than a basic tale of escalating teenage-like angst, jealousy and revenge.
Paul Giamatti was "fully awesome" as well.

[ThereWillBeBud]

I liked them both, but I prefer The Prestige (IMO Nolan's 2nd best film behind Memento). I never liked comparing these movies, even though they're both about magicians they're two very different films. The Prestige being more a story about rivalry and obsession and The Illusionist being more of a love story. The Tesla subplot in the Prestige is the highlight of the film, for me anyways.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

I feel like i should like Prestige more than the Illusionist, but i don't. I need to watch the Prestige again though and give it another chance. It wasn't bad by any means, but it felt "sterile" in comparison to the Illusionist. Bowie was awesome though and yes, Rufus Sewell needs to be in more movies. Giamatti was his usual kick ass self as well.

I'm taking the lazy way here. +1 to everything Riff said, including Sewell, Giamatti and Bowie etc.

The Illusionist

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by ThereWasBlood

I liked them both, but I prefer The Prestige (IMO Nolan's 2nd best film behind Memento). I never liked comparing these movies, even though they're both about magicians they're two very different films. The Prestige being more a story about rivalry and obsession and The Illusionist being more of a love story. The Tesla subplot in the Prestige is the highlight of the film, for me anyways.

I think this is paragraph is spot on.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I think this is paragraph is spot on.

I think this sentence is not. Sorry. The irony made me do it.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I think this sentence is not. Sorry. The irony made me do it.

hahahaha touche my friend

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

hahahaha touche my friend

I put The Prestige in my Netflix Queue. I want to see it again to revaluate my origional impression. I force myself to give well received movies a second chance after my experience with Fargo. My first impression of Fargo was that the public had lost its mind and that the film was a slow, pointless, boring and humorless waste of time. Years later, a cousin INSISTED that I give it a second chance. I did, and came to the conclusion that my initial impression was that of a nut-case. I dont know how I missed its genius the first time.

[TheHOYT]

I actually found The Illusionist to be predicable.

I think that Edward Norton is an overrated actor. People can say the same think about Bale, but I prefer Bale's acting over Norton's. I also liked the dark, gritty cinematography of The Prestige, over the slickness of The Illusionist.

[lobo81865]

There are some things one might say about Edward Norton, but overrated is not one.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by TheHOYT

I actually found The Illusionist to be predicable.

I think that Edward Norton is an overrated actor. People can say the same think about Bale, but I prefer Bale's acting over Norton's. I also liked the dark, gritty cinematography of The Prestige, over the slickness of The Illusionist.

I think both are very good actors but I would probably give the edge to Bale. Maybe.

It is fine that you prefer the cinematography of The Prestige over the Illusionist, but saying that The Illusionist has "slick" cinematography is not accurate at all.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by lobo81865

There are some things one might say about Edward Norton, but overrated is not one.

I agree. He's a great actor.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Q!

But it's hard to hate the movie when Jessica Biel is in it.

I actually thought she did a very good job in The Illusionist.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by ThereWasBlood

I prefer The Prestige (IMO Nolan's 2nd best film behind Memento)

Agree with you completely. I'd give Memento a 10/10 and The Prestige a 9/10. The Batman movies and Following are around a 8/10 and Insomnia is a 7/10 for me.

[vegeta88]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I actually thought she did a very good job in The Illusionist.

I think she is like many other actors where some people just will not like her performances, I am one of them. I place Edward Norton and Christian Bale at the same level of top notch acting only surpassed by a few.

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

Agree with you completely. I'd give Memento a 10/10 and The Prestige a 9/10. The Batman movies and Following are around a 8/10 and Insomnia is a 7/10 for me.

All of his movies are pretty well made, at least, I have not been disappointed in any. I even like Following, which I thought would be bad (funny how easy it is to tell Memento was Nolan's next picture).

[JLant19]

just watched the illusionist and i have to say it was really good! but the prestige was better imo