Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0024543402374
Format: AC-3
Label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2007-01-09
Running Time: 109
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: 2006-09-01

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Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: The Illusionist DVD
Comment: I liked this movie! Very convincing! If you like mystery and magic you'll like it too!

Customer Rating:

Summary: Post-production can't save a bland screenplay
Comment: This movie falls flat from an unbearably generic plot as well as a thinly veiled attempt to cover its complete lack of creative thought or depth with special effects and an attempt at artistic quality that only goes so far as, "Say it with more accent," and "What if we gave the whole film a sepia tone to make it seem more 'historic?'"

There are reasons that we go to see magicians in person rather than simply watch them on TV; one of the biggest being that nothing is really amazing when it could just as easily have been done with TV special effects. This sums up pretty much every trick in The Illusionist. There are no real magic tricks here, and subsequently no explanation for how the 'tricks' really (though the movie pretends there are.) This is because the tricks don't actually work; they're "movie magic" masquerading for the real thing.

The love story is a rehashed, "she's rich, he's poor, the world doesn't understand," sort of thing. There's no real romantic chemistry, so they cover it up with a bare leg sex montage. The character development is done mostly through voice-over narration. You'll never see the final twist coming because it's so contrived.

There's a reason this movie was released in theaters a little over a month before The Prestige. Once you've seen that undoubtedly superior film The Illusionist becomes almost unwatchable. I gave it a second star because as bad as it is, I've sadly seen much worse things come out of Hollywood recently.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Love makes the world disappear
Comment: The only way for their love to see the light is when he (Edward Norton) learns how to make them disappear. It's love coated with magic acquainted with lightly thrilling events.

I like the way Eisenheim (Edward Norton) carries himself as a magician and as a lover. He says very little but his eyes and actions speak volumes!

I love everything in this movie and I don't mind seeing it again.

Customer Rating:

Summary: The Illusionist
Comment: Rather ordinary, a bit long and drawn out...found it did not hold my interest. Wouldn't rave about it to others at all.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Do Not Be Fooled; This Movie is Excellent
Comment: The Illusionist features excellent performances by Edward Norton as Eisenheim, Paul Giamatti as the Chief Police Inspector, and Rufus Sewell as the evil Crown Prince Leopold. The leads play off each other to extraordinary effect. The plot is brilliant, and fascinating. I was also very impressed with Jessica Biel who was radiant in the movie. A supernatural feel permeates the film as Eisenheim captures audiences with his baffling "tricks."

There has been much said about the fact that The Illusionist was released around the same time (it was released first) as The Prestige; however, having enjoyed both films very much, I give the nod to this film. I was very entertained and thought the time spent watching this movie was worth it. The turn of the century Vienna scenery was visually pleasing. Edward Norton continues to be one of the finest actors in the industry.

I highly recommend this five star movie.

More Reviews

Editorial Reviews:

First screened in Europe and scheduled for limited release in the U.S., The Illusionist offers welcome proof that "arthouse" quality needn't be limited to the arthouses. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. -- Jeff Shannon

Beyond The Illusionist

"Eisenheim the Illusionist" and Other Stories

Paul Giamatti in a More Loveable Role
Magic Kits & Accessories

Stills from The Illusionist