The Illusionist

[BellyTank]

Very Cool-

...and I always thought Paul Auster's "Mr. Vertigo" would make a good movie.


It probably will.

B
T

 

[Andykev]

Johnny come lately

I just saw it on DVD last night. It was very good, and entertaining. The end wasn't predictable like another post mentions. I was surprised at the ending...and then going back (flashbacks) tied a lot together and further added to the cleverness of the film. It was very well done, acting, costumes, and so on.

I liked the one part where the Crown Prince has his conversation with the Prefect of Police. How telling that "corporate management" or "the higher ups" use enticements of favor, promotion, et al., to get others to compromise their morals and do what is asked of them.

I also give this film "two thumbs up".

 

[BeBopBaby]

[SPOILERS FOLLOW]

Watched this on dvd the other day and it was a enjoyable film even though I guessed most of the "surprise" ending as soon as the love interest was found dead. The suitcase with the bottle of liquid in it that Ed Norton passed off to her was too much of a coincidence. I guess I've read too many hard-boiled detective books.

I also found the CGI magic tricks a little distracting. They were just too unbelievable and modern. They really distracted from my sense of belief as I watched the movie.

Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the film. The sets, costumes and story were still enjoyable. Paul Giamatti was excellent as usual.

Am I the only one who thought men's facial hair is a dead art form as I watched this movie? Such wonderfully groomed facial hair is pretty much non-existant on men now a days. *sigh*

 

[Feraud]

This film is good. Check out The Prestige. I think it is a better film.

 

[Dalexs]

This film is good. Check out The Prestige. I think it is a better film.

I also saw the movie this past weekend. Enjoyable enough, but I think
The Prestige was much better "magician" movie, and better story overall.

Dalexs

 

[BJonas]

Good movie. Not enough expanding-circle screen-wipes and sepia-toned movies these days. Or smart movies, for that matter.

 

[Girl Friday]

I think I might have to add this to my collection, I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait to see the Prestige! Again, how can you go wrong with Wolverine and Batman!

 

[SamMarlowPI]

this and the prestige were really good...however this film had a lot more...mystery to it? besides the whole obvious twist but with bringing spirits and things...i like to think that it mightve actually been magic...afterall he did travel all over the orient for years...[huh]

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

this and the prestige were really good...however this film had a lot more...mystery to it? besides the whole obvious twist but with bringing spirits and things...i like to think that it mightve actually been magic...afterall he did travel all over the orient for years...[huh]

But in the Prestige the magic was actually magic!

I thought both were predictable, but the Prestige was better and much *less* predictable. I don't care though. Edward Norton + Paul Giamatti = a must see for me.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

But in the Prestige the magic was actually magic!

I thought both were predictable, but the Prestige was better and much *less* predictable. I don't care though. Edward Norton + Paul Giamatti = a must see for me.

yes illustionist was very predictable...i knew what was going on right away lol...there is much to debate on the prestige being real with the machine and whatnot...good debate though...

 

[Hondo]

yes illustionist was very predictable...i knew what was going on right away lol...there is much to debate on the prestige being real with the machine and whatnot...good debate though...

Much like Doc Strange said "not to be taken seriously" and to enjoy the story, try not to guess the endings, predictable
I enjoy this period piece (hats and clothes) story line, gosh I just love Ms Biel, she is a treat, beauty, always a fan of Edward Norton & Paul Giamatti.
Prestige may have been better but I enjoyed them both, hope to own DVD.

 

[Lulu-in-Ny]

The Illusionist is based on a short story called "Eisenheim the Illusionist" by Stephen Millhauser. It's a good story, but the movie is better. However, The Prestige is also based on a book- "The Prestige" by Christopher Priest- and the book is far superior to the film. I'd heartily recommend reading them both, although the Millhauser can be hard to find.

 

[Doctor Strange]

As I said over on the thread about The Prestige -

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=11545

- I liked this film much more than that one. The Illusionist may have had a few aspects requiring major suspension of disbelief, but I was very annoyed when the The Prestige ultimately revealed itself as a totally impossible fantasy that was masquerading as historical fiction.

I felt pleasantly tricked by The Illusionist, but very cheated by The Prestige (though I must admit that it was a nicely made film with good performances and a very clever use of its own every-trick-has-three-parts structure.)

 

[SamMarlowPI]

i usually just sit back and enjoy the film without guessing anything but for whatever reason while watching the illusionist for the first time i just kind of automatically went 'i know whats going to happen'...i wasn't trying to do that it just happened lol...the prestige was kind of disappointing but if you go to the imdb messageboards and faqs there are all kinds of debates going on about what happened where and who mightve did what...so...