Fascinating film with plenty of suspense, humour, mystery and a little of science fiction throw in this intriguing story.

Rating: 8/10 (14 August 2007)

Near the end of the 19th century in London. Robert Angier (Hugh Jackson), his wife Julia (Piper Perabo) and their friend Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are assistants to a magician (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Michael Caine). When Julia accidentally dies during an performance. Robert blames on his friend Alfred and they become enemies. Both of them have become famous for different reasons and they are always trying to out smart each other on their new tricks. Alfred becomes much more successful with his tricks and always doing much better than Robert. Robert becomes obsessed on trying to find out how Alfred's secret tricks. Both risk everything to be the greatest magician, while there's full of lies and sabotage between the two. But nothing what it seems between these new magicians, while one of them might have to face tragic consequences.
Directed by Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, Insomnia "2002", Memento) made an entertaining, suspenseful, mystery film with plenty of humour with unsuspecting plot twists. Nolan brings many intriguing visual style with drama as well. Jackman, Bale and Caine are excellent in this picture. Which it is somewhat underrated, when it was released last year in theaters. This movie has an fine supporting cast like Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, Andy Serkis and Roger Rees.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an featurette and an photo gallery. This DVD could have used more features like an audio commentary track by the filmmakers, deleted scenes, outtakes and an full length documentary. But it will be probably for an future DVD release. This film received two Oscar nominations like Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. This ingenious picture will play well on DVD and this have an major cult following as well. Nolan is certainly one of the most gifted filmmakers of the 21th century and plenty of good films from his to come in the near future. Don't miss it. Screenplay by the director and his brother Jonathan Nolan (The Dark Knight, Interstellar). Based on a novel by Christopher Priest. Panavision. (****/*****).