Use Your Illusion I

When I first saw the preview for The Illusionist, I admit I pre-judged it a little harshly. My first thoughts were,"What? Thats what Edward Norton is doing now? and with that mustache? No, thats not going to work. This movie looks like another Johnny Depp vehicle and I don't know if Ed can drive it...but it could be interesting."

Then, when I finally saw it, I found it to be surprisingly good and satisfying. Edward Norton made that role his bitch. He was awesome, powerful and believable. Paul Giamatti also deserves snaps for his always great performance. I almost didn't recognize him with all that beard-action happening on his face but he was great nonetheless. Jessica Beil I felt was alright. Nothing wrong with her performance but I felt she didn't have anything she really brought to the film besides an adequate performance. I am also grateful that she was in this film instead of Keira Knightley or someone equally annoying.

Basically, the movie takes place in Vienna back in the 1800s or something old like that. Norton is a kid playing around with some magic tricks and he meets with a rich girl and canoodles with her during adolescent times. (Think, "I think we're alone now" by Tommy James & The Shondells) Then years go by, and he becomes this badass magical sensation. He comes back to Vienna to do some shows and he discovers Jessica Biel again only to find out she is engaged to some douchebag prince who turns out to be quite a cockblock for Norton. The story gets more interesting and complicated from there.

Overall, I would say it kept my attention (which is good for a period film, they usually bore me) and was very fun to watch. Especially, Norton who's performance put me in my place and showed me to never assume anything about him again. He is truly great and I love him.