User Reviews

The rhythmic machinery of a fading stage: A 5.0-star "sensational" surge of bittersweet human magic.2011 (5.0)I watched Sylvain Chomet’s "The Illusionist" (2010) in 2011, and it delivered a visceral "revelation" that stands as a definitive 5.0-star pillar of "human distrust" and quiet longing in my archive. This experience **** the fourth wall of traditional animation by infusing Jacques Tati’s "stagnant" ghost with a rebellious and rhythmic energy that felt 100% heartbreaking. The narrative rhythm was far from "stagnant"; instead, it offered a "chewy" and sophisticated journey through the "pathetic" obsolescence of the old world as the protagonist, Tatischeff, struggled against the high-tension rise of rock and roll, leaving me in a state of absolute "hororong" as the Scottish landscapes bled into watercolor melancholy. Seeing the "vivid" relationship between the magician and Alice—a "raw" bond built on the "pathetic" but beautiful lie that magic is real—provided an emotional payoff that felt both "raw" and hauntingly "sensational," culminating in that high-tension note: "Magicians do not exist." The 95% preservation of my memory is dominated by the rhythmic, "raw" silence of the film and the "vivid" silhouette of the ill-tempered rabbit, creating a permanent, "sensational" scar of aesthetic grief on my soul. Unlike the "stagnant" 1.0-star trauma of "Gandhi," this theatrical encounter possessed a "vivid" and rebellious soul that turned a disappearing profession into a "sensational" masterpiece of "human distrust" and fatherly love. It remains in my 2011 record as a powerful 5.0-star testament to the "raw" power of hand-drawn art—a high-tension encounter with the "vivid" rhythm of passing time that remains one of the most intellectually "chewy" artifacts of my cinematic journey.

no siempre las mejores películas tienen actores famosos y locaciones reales; hay dibujos animados que se vuelven más que una película, son una experiencia.

A completely terrible film that was a complete waste of time for the creators to make. Absolute garbage, and I hope they never make something so terrible again.

The Illusionist is a slow, thoughtful film about the passage of time and young and new taking over the old. The film is visually appealing to look, with the animation being a standout. It keeps a dreary atmosphere throughout its runtime, though it isn't without levity. I'd recommend this film to anyone who loves animation. Whilst there isn't anything explicitly inappropriate for children, the film will most probably bore younger audiences. People who like faster paced films will probably be put off by the pacing as well.

A wonderful addition to Sylvain Chomet's collection, The Illusionist is a beautiful movie that simply exceeds all expectations. With remarkably sincere storytelling and characters it moves the audience with levels of emotion unthought to be associated with animated movies, making it one of the best animated children's films to surface. With stunning animation and an amazing score, The Illusionist is a treasure to keep.

The perception of ANIMATION has tainted most of the reviews. To tell a story is unique, and not limited to the perception of the viewer or the storyteller. To truley reach the audience one must simply present content, therin lies the connection we all comment on, negative or positive, we talk.

It's an interesting film, very unique, and there aren't many like it. It has that Disney-esque type magic to it without being made by Disney or Pixar. Its a truly beautiful movie. It truly did deserve a nomination for best picture of 2010, it was amazing! I just cannot express how much I loved it. It had great emotional timing, it was extremely entertaining, its beautiful, charming, heartfelt, classic, stunning, touching, unique, interesting, and just amazing! I recommend it to all people, not just kids, but adults, you will like it too!

Generally it is perceived that a film, much like it's lead character undergoes what's commonly known as the three arcs, the first of which shows the character lost, or without puropse, the second arc takes the character, gives him a dilemma (in this case the search for occupation) and makes him work to fix it, often leading to the third arc which leaves the character a better person, one who now has purpose. The Illusionist is excitedly refreshing with its characters, story and animation in a sense that this is now the case. In fact it could almost be the opposite, the character at the end of this film, or at least the main character has not changed one bit, in fact, it could be said that the lead at the beginning of the film was actually a better person when he adopts the young Gaelic girl into his care than at the end, crushing her illusion that magic is real and leaving her with little money as he departs on at train leaving her virtually penniless, if in the arms of a new found love. Yes, it could be said that the Illusionist is no Disney Pixar film (the company behind such classics would never threaten its unique situation as currently the most secure studio present) but in no sense does it mean that the Illisionist is anythign short of unique itself. The film has its flaws, dialogue (when rarely spoken) is often difficult to understand and the film finishes just as you start falling for the characters emotionally, but these are minor set backs in an affordable and enjoyable night in.

The Illusionist is one of the best animated movies of all times. Is unbelievable the levels of emotion that can reach this movie with little dialogue, sad colors and simple characters. The protagonist is a failed magician trying to survive in a Europe that has no time for that kind of entertainment and where is not possible to dream. But one day, he meets a girl who believes that his magic tricks are real. That girl represents our childhood, but everyone must grow up and be mature enough to accept the reality. On the other hand, the illusionist recreates the figure of Jacques Tati and represents a lost concept by cinematography, the dignity of the loser; if things dont work out, find another way of living or simply walk away. In this movie are noticeable the same ideas that treat Sylvain Chomet in The Triplets of Belleville: poor environments with no possibility of dreaming, failure of the show business and a life where is not escape from reality, no matter how cruel or dream destroyer could be. This film is beautiful, charming and it will touch you heart, because everyone like their childhood, but this movie is a slap on the face that brings you to the adults world.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

It's an interesting film, very unique, and there aren't many like it. The visuals are stunning, and a treat to look at, and the characters are filled with life and a lot of heart. Being up against two huge contenders in the Animated Feature category (Toy Story 3, How to Train Your Dragon) I thought that I would check out the cartoon that was up against two fantastic features. There is minimal to absolutely no dialogue (and what dialogue there is is in French) which I found very intriguing. Some may find this to be a turn-off. However, the story is told beautifully, and there is never any confusion as to what is going on. The first twenty minutes or so I was completely engrossed in the film. With the wonderful animation and charm that is possesses, it's hard not to be. I felt though as it went on that it grew a bit slow towards the middle of the story, and lost the grip that it had on me at the beginning. I would recommend this especially for any fan of animation. It's definitely a work of art. However, for casual film goers, I would stick to the Pixar masterpieces that we all know and love. 7/10

This is a good film. It is about an illusionist and his travels from town to town looking for work. Along the way he meets a young girl who believes he is truely magical. The characters don't really speak, they kind of mumble and gesture, its more of a silent film in a way. It has a melancholy overtone in how it portrays its slice of life in the illusionist's world of the 1950's. The drawings are quite detailed and very beautiful, the film could be watched just for the illustrations. A well done film, somber overall, but I did enjoy the relationship between the illusionist and the girl; the script was written by a french mime who wrote it as a letter to his estranged eldest daughter. SS 8/10

Best animated of the year 2010. Beautiful film with classic animation, visually stunning. The story is emotional and touching. It compares old time culture with the new dull pop culture.

you have to like a movie that you must watch start to finish.. and this is one of them. their is twists and turns that i did not see coming. this one is a hit. will be in my personal library for a long while..