A terribly Disappointing Film

Rating: 4/10 (1 November 2006)

The fact that this movie has received 8.6/10 is simply verification that theses ratings mean nothing. This is one of the most unnecessarily convoluted, poorly-acted film i've seen in theaters for a long time. The dialog is implausibly modern, the relationships do not take into account sex relations at the time, the the twists and turns are manufactured in a spirit of dues ex machina. Like "The Illusionist" before it, the twists in plot are not earned but sloppily thrown in, and even worse- boring and clichéd,save the final one, which is just stupid. The final scene is so melodramatic, long winded, and ridiculous, I considered leaving the theater- but regretfully chose to stay in hopes of some kind of redeeming quality emerging. The only one found was the long overdue appearance of credits. I'm not biased, I like Christopher Nolan's earlier works- Momento and the under looked Insomnia are both excellent- but his writing, has become very short sighted and melodramatic- Batman Begins was also poorly written, failing to cross the line into either comic book/ graphic novel fictionalized or cinematic realism. The emotional connections in this film are not developed, but like the twists lazily thrown in (particualry the relationships with women). It's the second worst film about magic this year.