Disappointing

Rating: 6/10 (8 July 2007)

Christopher Nolan's films are usually intelligently plotted and artistically well-made. "The Prestige," unfortunately, is quite a letdown. This is no "Memento"; it's not even a "Batman Begins."
What sinks the film are its two big secrets (don't worry, I'm not going to reveal them here). One of the secrets is so scientifically ludicrous as to inspire laughter rather than awe. The other is so hoary and shopworn that one can only groan. Yes, the hackneyed secret is threaded into the film with cleverness and skill, but as the old saying goes, you can't polish a turd.
The acting and direction are fine throughout, but the underlying plot weaknesses keep the film firmly anchored to mediocrity.
6/10. A big disappointment.