An interesting movie, but really not that surprising

Rating: 6/10 (30 October 2006)

After seeing the movie, I was surprised by the number of 8, 9, and 10 stars that people gave it, saying things like it was "the best movie of the year". I must disagree. This is a movie worth watching for entertainment's sake, since individual aspects of the movie are top notch, but overall I would leave movie of the year to something like The Departed instead.
Pro's:
1) Very good acting
2) Unique plot
3) Nice effects, especially when you see how magic "really" gets done
4) Believable characters -you definitely empathize with both main characters, despite their treachery
5) Extremely tight plot. It brings to mind the Harry Potter books, actually - every little detail is important and plays a role. Things that you are think are periphery turn out to lead you to the conclusion. Good foreshadowing
Con's:
1) So, so so predictable. I was shocked that people were surprised by the ending
2) Inconsistent idea. This movie tried to be about two things. It wanted to be about the plot twist/rivalry, but it also had a theme in the age-old "is there magic" question. As stated in the previews and other reviews, there're some surreal sci-fi aspects to the movie. This was very disappointing.
3) There are a few irritating inconsistencies that just make it hard to suspend belief and get into the movie. I won't put any spoilers here - but suffice it to say the movie lost cohesiveness in anything involving sci fi or the final twist.
4) The flash-forward flash-back nature of the story telling did not add anything to the mystery of the story - it just leaves you irritated and confused for the first 20 minutes (who is reading whose diary again? Is this before or after the last thing that happened? etc)
All in all, the plot was very well constructed and the idea was great. In general the acting was good and it was well directed. It was just missing that extra "oomph" that turns and interesting movie into a fabulous one. There was something a little too predictable about all of the plot twists, and something a little inconsistent about the theme of the movie that prevented me from really praising it.