One of 2006's Best --- Overshadowed by The Illusionist

Rating: 8/10 (3 March 2007)

Odd that in 2006 --- the worst year in 70 years in terms of film quality --- that TWO superior and engrossing dramas would be made about turn-of-the-century magicians. Odder still that magicians are not very interesting to begin with, at least not anymore.
Look at Sigfried & Roy. They put on one of the leading magic shows, with their tigers appearing and transformed all over the Mirage stage. Great, but then we saw a magician at Bally's (not the show's leading act) make tigers appear and disappear quicker than S & F ever did. This guy said disappearing tigers is the easiest trick in the book "once you know how." Then there's David Copperfield and his nonsense about transporting a person from New York to Hawaii in 2 seconds. Gag me, please! Anyway, both Illusionist and Prestige are set in the late 19th Century, when magic was obviously much better than today. In my opinion the plot line "In 19th Century Vienna, an illusionist uses his powers to gain a woman of higher stature, once his first love" is so much more interesting than a deadly rivalry between two master magicians. Both pictures are skillfully acted and produced, but Illusionist is the better of the two.
My recommendation: With DVD's for rent at $2.65 or less; by all means just go wild and see both films.