The Illusionist

Yari Film Group Releasing | Release Date: August 18, 2006

8.6	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 581 Ratings

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User Reviews

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CraigASOct 10, 2006

Looks great, but the pay-off at the end isn't big enough to justify the rest of the film. Leaves you with a "oh... and?" feeling.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

HalfwelshmanMar 31, 2012

The Illusionist is just like the worst kind of magic act. Far from being incompetent, it puts on quite a show, but never instills you with a sense of wonder, empty as it is below the surface. The cast, who look pretty good on paper, areThe Illusionist is just like the worst kind of magic act. Far from being incompetent, it puts on quite a show, but never instills you with a sense of wonder, empty as it is below the surface. The cast, who look pretty good on paper, are largely wasted, with Edward Norton being up-staged by his own beard playing Eisenheim the Illusionist, and Jessica Biel being bland and utterly forgettable as love interest Duchess Sophie von Teschen. Even the usually brilliant Eddie Marsan makes little impact, as his character, Eisenheim's manager is under-used and has very little to do. Thank goodness the film also stars Paul Giamatti, who imbues his character of Inspector Uhl with a pleasing sincerity and complex morality, and tries his very best to elevate the film's rather clunky script, and Rufus Sewell, who makes a very entertaining, menacing antagonist as the scheming Crown Prince Leopold. The film is very visually impressive, with striking cinematography and high-quality production design with some pleasing period details. Philip Glass's moody soundrack is also rather effective in maintaining a consistent tone throughout the film. Despite these positives, the Illusionist has a disappointing amount of negative counter-points. A film can be as pretty as atmospheric as you like, but when the story is dull (and by jingo, The Illusionist's is boring) and the characters unengaging, its impact, and ultimately its enjoyability is limited. I found myself comparing the film to other, better examples of its type. The Illusionist lacks the sheer beauty, playfulness and soul of Sylvain Chomet's animation of the same name, and the intricate plotting and pure entertainment value of The Prestige. It's just not particularly interesting or memorable, and is disappointingly unmagical. The Illusionist may look the part, and Giamatti and Sewell put on quite a show, but ultimately the sub-par script, underwhelming characterisation and uninvolving story threatens to ruin the film, and alarmingly often, it does. There's no fooling the audience here, the film just isn't magic.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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j30Dec 1, 2011

The Illusionist suffers from coming out around the same time as The Prestige (a far better movie in comparison) and a poor story line. Has anyone ever given you the "OMG" look because you haven't seen the Illusionist ?

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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RegOzApr 6, 2012

Honestly, Idon't know how to express the feeling I got after I saw it. I went to the movies to watch it, and it looked so interesting that I had expectations; yet, well...I didn't get the 'wow' feeling. I perhaps should watch itHonestly, Idon't know how to express the feeling I got after I saw it. I went to the movies to watch it, and it looked so interesting that I had expectations; yet, well...I didn't get the 'wow' feeling. I perhaps should watch it again...should I? don't even remember the ending. Does that say something about how interesting it was? I guess so. I will say a 6...? I may go and watch it again! I don't want to be unfair, and I am curious to see how I feel about it this time. So far, just a 6.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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SEROJJul 3, 2013

I'm don't know what to say. This movie is not either bad or good. It's just so unfinished. Could be a lot better! 5/10 is my score, very boring and decent movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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ypomoniJul 5, 2013

Maybe I'm biased seeing as I saw the Illusionist after the Prestige, and yes, the two films are alike enough to be compared to one another. Whereas the Prestige seemed like something different, this film felt like a copy. E Norton was good,Maybe I'm biased seeing as I saw the Illusionist after the Prestige, and yes, the two films are alike enough to be compared to one another. Whereas the Prestige seemed like something different, this film felt like a copy. E Norton was good, but P Giamatti stole the show here. it's a shame, coz it actually had a good twist at the end… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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RayzorMooseNov 13, 2013

The Illusionist shows off its tricks.
The Illusionist initially has eye popping appeal with a cast of great actors. The premise itself is as mysterious as it sounds, and the result it a fine movie. It suffers though with a lack ofThe Illusionist shows off its tricks.
The Illusionist initially has eye popping appeal with a cast of great actors. The premise itself is as mysterious as it sounds, and the result it a fine movie. It suffers though with a lack of explanation for blatant phenomenon's it preforms and then ignores.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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RodG.Feb 20, 2007

It wasn't the best movie I've ever seen but it was entertaining enough to watch. The ending was predictable like most movies nowadays. The guy was an illusionist so how else could it have ended?