 Tagline: A Rivalry That Turned Deadly. Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson are pure magic in The Prestige on Blu-ray Disc. Dubbed "wildly entertaining" by Rolling Stone, this riveting tale is more astounding than ever in this dazzling new format. Two young, passionate magicians are friends and partners until one fateful night when their biggest trick goes terribly wrong. Now the bitterest of enemies, they will stop at nothing - including deceit and sabotage - to learn each other's secrets. Experience their obsessive rivalry in eye-popping 1080p and resounding 5.1 48kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio. But remember, nothing is what it seems, so be prepared to watch over and over again as Blu-ray High Definition teases and tantalizes your senses! Every Magic Trick Has Three Acts: The Pledge - The promise to amaze. The Turn - The mind-bending illusion. The Prestige - The shocking climax. Storyline: In the end of the Nineteenth Century, in London, Robert Angier, his beloved wife Julia McCullough and Alfred Borden are friends and assistants of a magician. When Julia accidentally dies during a performance, Robert blames Alfred for her death and they become enemies. Both become famous and rival magicians, sabotaging the performance of the other on the stage. When Alfred performs a successful trick, Robert becomes obsessed trying to disclose the secret of his competitor with tragic consequences. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Ben Williams on August 12, 2007 -- When Christopher Nolan made his debut into American cinemas with Memento, film-lovers witnessed the first rumblings of a creative genius who brought innovation and artistic flair to theaters with his unique visual and narrative style. Since that time, I've eagerly awaited each of his subsequent films with the hope that his unique cinematic style would continue to develop. I haven't been disappointed. In 2005, Mr. Nolan directed what many fans believe to be, arguably, the best of the Batman films, finding both critical and box-office success. As a surprise to those expecting a sequel to Batman Begins, Mr. Nolan has instead produced a subtly staggering film about personal and professional rivalry between two magicians. The Prestige finds Mr. Nolan again in top form and re-teaming with his Batman Begins star, Christian Bale. The Prestige is an extremely complex film surrounding the conflict, jealousy and vengefulness that haunts two rival magicians. The story is told in a skewed timeline not unlike Memento. If anything, The Prestige's timeline is more intricate as the story shifts between several viewpoints and jumps around in time throughout the film. While this might sound confusing, this complex narrative never loses the viewer's attention or makes the movie less enjoyable. The multi-faceted approach instead pulled me in completely. It is my favorite film of 2006, and I have eagerly awaited its Blu-ray release. As far as plot is concerned, I think it is best to omit most of The Prestige's details from this review as it relies heavily on numerous plot twists and surprises. I'd hate to ruin that for anyone. Suffice it to say, I found the subplot involving famed inventor Nikola Tesla to be a story-telling masterstroke. For those of you familiar with the inventions of Tesla, his involvement in the plot will be a definite highlight. It's also worthwhile to note that The Prestige has incredible replay value on Blu-ray. This is a film that demands repeat viewings and delivers more surprises and depth with each look. The Prestige is another brilliant release from Disney. The video presentation is truly extraordinary and represents one of the most film-like transfers of any High Definition release I've yet seen. The audio side is also extremely well represented with another 24-bit PCM track. Disney continues to lead the pack with the quality of their consumer Blu-ray releases. Their commitment to excellence is admirable, and The Prestige is another impeccable film in their high-def catalog. The Prestige is well-deserving of your time and attention. Cast Notes: Hugh Jackman (Robert Angier), Christian Bale (Alfred Borden), Michael Caine (Cutter), Piper Perabo (Julia McCullough), Rebecca Hall (Sarah Borden), Scarlett Johansson (Olivia Wenscombe), Samantha Mahurin (Jess Borden), David Bowie (Nikola Tesla), Andy Serkis (Alley), Daniel Davis (Judge), Jim Piddock (Prosecutor), Christopher Neame (Defender), Mark Ryan (Captain), Roger Rees (Owens), Jamie Harris (Sullen Warder). User Comment: wordmonkey from San Francisco, Ca., 5 October 2006 • What The Prestige does very well is recreate a period of show business history near the turn of the century in which competition between magicians was serious and intense. The workings of the complicated illusions are gorgeously brought to life via smartly detailed apparatus that replicate the actual mechanics of Victorian legerdemain. Much of the film rings very true, such as the all-consuming obsessions of the lead characters to be the best and outdo all others. It's an easy step to accept that such unwavering determination spills over into deadly territory, as rival magicians suave Rupert Angier (a riveting performance by Hugh Jackman) and audacious Alfred Borden (Christian Bale effortlessly playing a brooding lower-class Brit) each seek to wreak continuing revenge upon the other. The story, though adapted from a novel, feels like a perfect fit for director Nolan's sensibilities, as the machinations of the two men become increasingly convoluted during a back-and-forth tug of wits that keeps you guessing in the style of Nolan's "Memento." As the game grows increasingly deadly, and threatens to consume all they love, the film becomes a fascinating study in single-mindedness. The work is epic in sweep, beautifully filmed, and strongly acted. The only odd note in casting is David Bowie as Nikola Tesla (he looks nothing like the actual Tesla, if you care about these sort of things, and his appearance calls attention to itself as superstar casting often does), but Mr. Bowie holds his own. Solid performances are all around, with Michael Caine adding dignity and depth as the old master, Scarlett Johanssen as the as the lovely stage assistant who becomes the third point in a twisted love triangle, and even Andy Serkis (Gollum!) in a memorable supporting role. The introduction of Tesla adds yet another twist, as the film shifts from real-but-possible stage illusion to steam-punkish sci-fi. This transition is a hard note to pull off, since the beginning of the film doesn't quite suggest such a direction, but if you're willing to let Nolan lead you on the journey into increasingly fantastic realms, the narrative rewards you with thought-provoking moral and dramatic exploration of the issues raised. A truly entertaining movie, and an original, unusual, dark ride -- well worth seeing in a theater for its grand scope and vision. Summary: A Stylish, Uniquely Twisted Period Piece. [Show Spoiler] IMDb Rating (03/05/13): 7.8/10 from 101,780 users
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