The Illisionist

"The Illusionist" or "The Prestige"; which magician movie is best? Recently I had the Superman vs. Batman debate with two of my co-workers. Both are big comic book fans, and instantly answered that Superman would win. "Not so fast!" said I, "Batman would win of course." They made the point that Superman has super-powers and is stronger, faster and all that stuff. I was like "Batman would win because he never goes to a fight he doesn't already have a plan to win." They thought about that for a moment, then concurred that perhaps, if he brought some Kryptonite, then he could win. "Of course he'd have Kryptonite" I exclaimed. "He'd probably have a Kryptonite suit of armor, some super-sonic Kryptonite hollow point bullets (Bat-bullets) and Louis Lane would be by his side, because she's smart enough to know the outcome of this fight, if you can even call it that." We ended up talking about compound miter saws, 18volt DeWalt hammer drills, and dovetail joints after that, because there really was no more room for debate. My point for relaying this story is merely to illustrate that when comparing two of anything, there is always one that is better and always one that isn't. "The Illusionist" which stars Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti is a very good film. I enjoyed both perfomances as well as the story and atmosphere. There was one drawback for me, and that is predictability. In certain instances, I like to be in on the framework of the film, like in an action movie. I don't need to be surprised by what happens next, onl amazed at how it happens. In a drama though, I want to be so enthralled by what is happening, that I don't see what is coming, even if in retrospect it was inevitable. Therefore, "The Illusionist" was weak in diverting my attention from what was yet to come. I knew the ending exactly abot thrity-five minutes before it happened. Now that wouldn't have been so bad if they had completely left of the traditional ending and left me to know what the ending was without insulting my movie-going intelligence. Do some people go to movies for the reassurance that comes from cookie-cutter cinema? I understand that too many films with anti heroes, trick endings and shocking twists, can leave a bad taste and an empty experience. But isn't too much of the same like too much honey or something like that? Anyways, this was the best film I've seen in the theater since "Good Night and Good Luck", and that was back in February. Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti are probably some of the best actors working right now. Back to my original question, "The Illusionist" or "The Prestige"? One will be better than the other, that is true, and yet to be seen which it will be. I have a hard time thinking that Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman will impress me as much as Giamatti and Norton did, but perhaps, just perhaps, if Christopher Nolan can break away from that Hollywood pull and actually make an original and interesting film, its possible that I might not have any complaints about that film. Let's just say I'm not holding my breath.