Simply put this is a movie that at some point you have to see. In the theatre, maybe not. It's slow paced and requires a great deal of attention which you may not get at the movies especially on opening weekend but regardless of when and how you see it, you should do so. If you chose to wait don't let anyone spoil it for you.

Like Momento it has a very distinct narration style which basically means out of order to withhold certain parts of information for that key moment when it will be most surprising. For those that don't know much about this flick, it stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival magicians in late 1800's londn, who fight an intense battle where they always try to one up each other and discover the other ones big trick. It is amazingly acted and absolutely brilliant directly. You really get that 1800's feel from both the sets and the costumes and you could really imagine this duel taking place in the time period its set. The best part of the movie though is the sold script. It has a message to portray about obsession to ones art and the twists and turns are for the most part very unexpected. Like the Usual Suspects, Fight Club, and the sixth sense it has an ending that you will kick yourself for not seeing. As soon as its revealed random lines pop into your head and all you can think is "man, why didn't I see that what for what it really meant?" such as the most important line in the movie:

Are you watching closely?

If you do so, you may be pleasently surprised when you see it all fall into place moments before everyone else does, or have move fun when you watch as closely as you can and still don't get it till its revealed.

The only negative thing is that having checked IMDB about this movie there are alot of what in my opinion are dumb posts that could be answered by just paying attention. It makes me think that maybe the majority of audience members can at times be as dumb as hollywood thinks they are hence the large amount of crap they pump out. So, do filmakers like Christopher Nolan a favor by saying this movie, paying attention and marvelling in the secrets that are so well hidden until the perfect moments.

I saw this today and, yes, it was excellent! Well worth seeing on the big screen. That said, don't wait for the DVD release.

Seth

This movie rocked!!!!!!!!!!

This was one hell of a well acted and well directed film.  I think what most impressed me was hugh Jackman, he's been cool as wolverine, but this was the first time where he had to shine, he was up against Christian bale and Michael Caine, who are two very good actors, but I have to say Hugh gave the best performance.

In a way this movie reminded me of Basic instinct.  I know they are both completly different type of films, but they also give you clue's to what is REALLY going on.  It's actually put right in your face, but then you are misdirected eventhough the answer is right there, it is even mentioned numerous times.

I think this is one of the years best, and FINALY a movie me and my girlfriend could BOTH watch, this only happens like once a year.

I saw this tonight also, Jordan.  I agree that this is a great film.

It is very stylish, with a great cast, and pays off every little detail that it sets up -- so it is the type of film where you need to pay attention.  Jackman is great, yeah, but I also had a lot of fun seeing David Bowie back on the screen again -- a little wooden perhaps, but perfectly cast nevertheless.

This film about deuling magicians is almost like a magic trick in and of itself.  There is a lot of misdirection and slight-of-hand going on in the script.  I am sure this was intentional, and in fact, the opening voice-over asks, "Are you watching closely?"

It's not a fluff film -- you need to be in the mood to think about a film to enjoy this one -- but if you are, I highly recommend it.

I watched this for the 2nd time tonight and I must admit, it was just as good the second viewing as it was the first.

It is brilliantly acted and some of the directing was magical... excuse the pun.

Christopher Nolan keeps topping himself, I wonder what he'll give us next?

Saw this today as well as Tenacious D and I have to say it beats Tenacious by the slightest bit.

It's a very stylish, very well directed and very well acted piece of storytelling. The storytelling, whoa, it is brilliant and wonderfully played out. Bale, best thing in it for me, apart from maybe David Bowie who absolutely surprised me with his acting ability. Where'd that come from? I know he's done it a few times before, saw him in Zoolander (brilliant film) but did him no favours. In this though, he pulled his character off well indeed. Yet Bale takes his part and just transforms (as he usually does) and really shows up Michael Caine (who I'm afraid to say isn't one of the best actors around today) and Hugh Jackman, who was good, and surprised with a sort of serious role. Scarlett Johansson who was also in this, more briefly than everyone else, got to grips with her character and accent but just didn't suit the part that well.

The film itself was excellent, the pacing, slow but purposely and appropriately. The feel of the film and the effects were awesome. Magic has never been so cool.

The twists in this film come by the boat load and they are very good but most, if not all, are highly dedectable... at least they were for me, and I'm not the best at figuring out twists until they've happened. Still, they are great to see.

Overall, the characters are the main and best part of The Prestige, absolutely love the line "Are you watching closely?", Bale steals it for me and magic has become cool once again.  

On vaca, so can't make a formal update.  However, while I haven't seen the movie, the script is available on http://www.dailyscript.com at http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/Prestige.pdf

Don (in Cape May, NJ).

Hey cool. Thanks for hooking us up with the link, Don.


Cheers, Chism.