The Illusionist Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "The Illusionist" by MVD Marquee Collection is generally commendable, utilizing an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The transfer showcases the film's intentional jaundiced and orange-heavy color grading effectively, though the jaundice gives flesh tones a slightly sickly appearance. The grading choice reflects mid-2000s digital color trends, dominated by orange hues, which unfortunately impacts various scenes, causing them to appear overly homogenized. Bright orange dominates skin tones, lighting, and environments, potentially distracting viewers who prefer naturalistic visuals.

Despite the color grading, the presentation sustains a pleasing level of detail throughout. The MVD release might be slightly brighter than its Fox counterpart, a feature that enhances fine details and overall clarity. Grain is handled well, preserving the film's rich textured look without significant loss. This indicates the likelihood of a newer scan being used for this release. However, there are minor issues present: some notable banding during highly flickered sequences and intermittent encoding errors—particularly around 12:18 where garbage artifacts obscure the screen briefly. Additionally, shadow regions intermittently suffer from banding and artifacting for extended periods, pointing to occasional compression struggles.

Furthermore, some crush is inherent due to the film's original cinematography, impacting depth perception mildly. Nevertheless, sufficient contrast is maintained to preserve visual dimension where it matters most. While the stylish choices in "The Illusionist" might not cater to every viewer’s taste, the Blu-ray offers a faithful representation of the director's vision augmented by technical improvements in fine detail and grain resolution. Overall, despite some minor hiccups in encoding and shadow detailing, this Blu-ray release stands as a solid choice for fans wishing to experience the film with enhanced clarity and texture.

The audio presentation of "The Illusionist" on Blu-ray, much like its video counterpart, is commendable but exhibits a reserved approach to the surround sound landscape. The disc features both Stereo PCM and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 options; however, the 5.1 track is notably superior, providing a more immersive soundstage. Despite limited directionality, where instances of horses and carriages offer enhanced spatial awareness, the quiet score contributes subtly to the overall atmosphere.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track excels in delivering clean and clear dialogue, ensuring that every line is easily discernible without issues. The film does not rely heavily on low-end support, favoring a more muted and gentle auditory experience that only asserts itself when necessary. Surround activity, while not as dynamic as seen in similar titles like "The Prestige," still features significant placement of effects in the side and rear channels during pivotal outdoor scenes and the bustling performance sequences. This strategic use of surround sound enhances the illusion and spectacle inherent to the film's narrative.

Furthermore, it is worth noting the inclusion of subtitles in this release, an addition absent in the previous Fox version. This inclusion broadens accessibility without compromising the audio experience. Overall, while "The Illusionist" on Blu-ray may not be an auditory powerhouse, its carefully designed audio track effectively supports the film's aesthetic, ensuring an engaging viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Illusionist" are disappointingly minimal, consisting mainly of basic EPK featurettes and an informative but unembellished audio commentary from director Neil Burger. While these supplements add some insight, their brief and surface-level nature leaves much to be desired. Technical fidelity is maintained in the presentation, keeping the quality consistent, but there’s a clear deficiency in depth and breadth, especially for enthusiasts seeking a more comprehensive behind-the-scenes look.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of The Illusionist: A short behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Jessica Biel on The Illusionist: A brief interview with the actress.
• Audio Commentary from Writer/Director Neil Burger: Insightful commentary available in the setup menu.
• Trailers: Includes a trailer for "The Illusionist" and several other MVD releases.

"The Illusionist" offers a blend of engaging narrative and impressive visual production that sets it apart from other films in the magician-themed genre. Director Neil Burger's film, set in the late 1800s, follows the intricate and often implausible schemes of Edward Norton's character, a stage performer, to outsmart a vile prince and win over his beloved princess. The narrative cleverly plays with audience perception, intertwining themes of deception and romantic idealism. Norton's portrayal of the magician brings a deep sense of longing, while Rufus Sewell's performance as the antagonist provides a compelling counterpoint. The film's sumptuous cinematography by Dick Pope, which evokes a vintage hand-cranked ambiance, adds to its overall allure.

Despite its similarities to Christopher Nolan’s "The Prestige," such as the timing of its release and thematic content, "The Illusionist" stands on its own with its distinct, albeit less ambitious, approach. The film leans on fantastical elements and presents itself almost like an adult fairy tale. This fantastical core is underscored by societal commentary on class dynamics and superficiality. The magic in this story goes beyond mere stage tricks, touching on how wealth and perceived superiority shape interpersonal relationships and public perceptions.

However, "The Illusionist" occasionally falters with an air of smugness and pretentiousness, perhaps due to its predictable storyline and Norton’s somewhat repetitive performance. Despite these shortcomings, the film's exploration of love, deception, and class distinctions resonates deeply. The Blu-ray edition from MVD Visual revitalizes the film with crisp visuals that highlight its meticulously crafted period setting. While it may not have the electrifying ambition of Nolan’s comparably themed work, "The Illusionist" delivers solid entertainment with its unique voice and timeless narrative elements.

The Illusionist on Blu-ray offers an enchanting cinematic experience, enhancing the film's existing allure with its stunning visuals and ethereal atmosphere. Directed by Neil Burger and starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, and Jessica Biel, the film immerses viewers in a turn-of-the-century Viennese fairy tale where illusion blurs with reality. The narrative's strength lies in its clever storytelling and beautiful cinematography, which are both preserved and augmented in this high-definition format.

The video quality is superb, showcasing the intricate details of the period costumes and sets with exceptional clarity. The film's use of a subtle sepia tone further enhances its nostalgic ambience, rendering the visuals both rich and textured. The transfer to Blu-ray is clean and free from any noticeable artifacts, ensuring that the integrity of the original photography is maintained without compromise. Audio quality also impresses, with a clear and immersive sound mix that elegantly balances dialogue, score, and ambient effects.

While some might draw parallels between The Illusionist and another contemporary film, The Prestige, it is crucial to appreciate The Illusionist on its own merits. Both films delve into the world of turn-of-the-century magicians and present intriguing stories wrapped in mystery and romance. However, The Illusionist is a more literal and stylistically distinct film. This Blu-ray release closely mirrors the quality of the earlier Fox release but adds valuable new supplements and subtitles. The captivating cinematography along with its atmospheric score by Philip Glass remains one of the primary draws. Highly recommended.

If you, too, are a fan of The Prestige and haven't yet seen The Illusionist, my personal advice is to try to divorce the two properties, even if they were both films about turn-of-the-century magicians who encounter some unexpected obstacles with some supposedly star-crossed romantic angles to boot. The Illusionist is the manifestly more literal film of the two and needs to be accepted on its own merits, which are considerable, if arguably smaller in scale than what the Nolan film offers. One way or the other, this is a very interesting film from a stylistic standpoint, and the cinematography especially is one of its chief allures. This MVD release looks and sounds pretty similar if not outright identical to the Fox release of almost a decade ago (!), but it at least includes a few supplements and subtitles. Recommended.