Sci Fi Top 100, #71: "The Prestige" (2006)

Movie Stats:
Released 2006 (USA)
American & British, in English
Director - Christopher Nolan
Stars - Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine

Plot Summary:
When magician Alfred Borden (Bale) is accused of the murder of his bitter rival Robert Angier (Jackman), their story is told through a series of flashbacks. Caine co-stars as Cutter, mentor to both men.

Warnings:
Violence; gore; very minor blue language.

Bad Stuff:
Bale’s accent is questionable.

Good Stuff:
I need to gush. See below.

The Verdict:
I love this movie so much that I’m having a hard time figuring out how to express to you how good it is. I saw it in the theater when it came out & my mind was blown. I’m not a particularly big Nolan fan. I think his stuff is hit or miss. This one is very much a hit, quite possibly the best film he ever made. There’s so much about it that’s excellent. The story is interesting & engaging. I didn’t see any of the numerous twists coming. The acting is out of this world. For example, I feel relatively neutral about Hugh Jackman. I neither love nor hate him; when I see he’s in a film, I don’t think, “gotta see that,” but he is phenomenal in this. The cinematography is stunning and the costuming, oh my god, so good. If I have any criticism other than Bale’s iffy accent, it’s that I’m not sure this film is ever as good as the first time you see it. The twists are that amazing; they completely blindsided me the first time I saw it. So, while I greatly enjoyed it this time around, I wasn’t as blown away as I was before (although it’s fun to watch it with an eye toward catching the clues that tip off the twists, once you know what they are).

If you’ve never seen it, why on earth not? Go rectify that right now. I’m not even kidding. You should not miss out on this gem.

I give it 4.75 stars.