298. The Prestige (2006)

Starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson

Director: Christopher Nolan

Running Time: 130 mins

The Prestige is a British/American film about the rivalry that unfolds between two great magicians in Victorian London, as each one tries to outdo the other in pulling off the most astonishing act ever.

This was a really clever film. It had a fascinating story, brilliant characters, and a perfect setting, so everything seemed to fall into place really well, and although many of the concepts in the story seemed completely unrealistic and unbelievable, it’s the world of magic, and anything can happen.

I really thought that the way in which the rivalry between these two illusionists was shown to be so brutal was brilliant, as it shocked me to the core how two people can go to such damaging lengths just to be better than the other at magic, because I just didn’t expect to see something so hardcore between two magic acts.

Although the majority of the film was not the most tense or exciting ever, there was always a sense right from the start that it would build up to a brilliant climax, and it did exactly that, finishing off with one of the most confusing yet truly fascinating punchlines I’ve ever seen in a film, and once all is revealed, it really shocked me.

Overall, then, I’ll give this an 8.4 because it had a great story with a stunning ending, was extremely clever all the way through, and was very original and well-made in my opinion.