Agreed! Had much discussion on IMDB about The Prestige and a number of common misconceptions about it. The Prestige stands in my mind as his best work. And is a VERY different take on the original Christopher Priest novel (better in my view). I was quite surprised by Batman Begins and very much enjoyed it (more than I expected, to the extent that about 30 minutes in I turned to my brother and whispered almost involuntarily "this is really good", which isn't a reaction I have very often), and liked the second installment just as much (although growing up a comic book geek in the 70's and 80's i'm sure was a heavy influence on that reaction, similar to how it was on M. Night's Unbreakable).

However, the third in the series fell flat for me. I found Inception entertaining but somewhat forgettable and over-stylized with minimal emotional engagement, with Interstellar a step up from that (I like time travel components in stories) although still not as engaging as I would have preferred (plus, the 5th dimensional beings couldn't be humans because a 5th dimensional being exists above time, meaning no history, no evolution in 4d time, and that bugged me--if it were humans manipulating 5d space that'd be different, but that's not how it was presented). But The Prestige sits in my mind to this very day, even besting Memento for me (which I also really like).

I do think in some ways Nolan is overhyped. He's good, but only a couple of his works have stuck with me as being something special. Of course that's largely a subjective response. Everyone's different.

I think The Prestige is Nolan's best, and most misunderstood. The rivalry portrays the self-destructive and family destroying nature of any blood feud. I love how the Borden/Angier rivalry is mirrored by the Edison/Tesla rivalry. Also how Borden and Angier create illusions of magic, while Edison and Tesla are creating true magic (in the form of inventions that will change the world). Most people lump The Prestige in with The Illusionist (which is a fine, but inferior film). It truly deserves more credit than it is given.

@wtfrubbish said:

Most people lump The Prestige in with The Illusionist (which is a fine, but inferior film).

Well said. It was unfortunate timing, both being released close enough that people associate them because of the magician-related commonality. Although I enjoyed The Illusionist, I have to agree that it's quite inferior by comparison. The Prestige has many layers and subtext beyond what is directly observed. The Illusionist is a straight-forward romanticized yarn that leaves nothing resonating in the mind after exiting the theater.

I never agreed with this sentiment until I rewatched The Prestige yesterday, and now I think I'm on board with it. I wouldn't like to say it's his best, because after each of his better films I feel like I've seen something uniquely impressive, but it's certainly up there. I think it warrants a second watch in order to truly understand its depth. Great film.

Nolan is way overrated. He's too gimmicky like Shymalan. He lacks realism and fails at his oversensationalized style. That said, he has directed a few good movies like many directors have.

His best in order are:

Memento The Dark Knight The Dark Knight Rises (a little step down)

However, he is nowhere even close to being in the same league as the greats like Scorese, Eastwood, Gibson, Mann, Bigelow, Spielberg...Even Affleck is better than him.

Interstellar was trash. He's more along the line of Michael Bay...but just a little better. He's like James Cameron, but Cameron was better. He's between them two, but not with the greats.

The Prestige is great but both it's twists are very obvious ages before they're actually revealed, which bring it down a bit for me. Memento is probably my fave, though Insomnia doesn't get mentioned as much as it should. I love all his films for different reasons, it's hard to compare them.

@warrior-poet said:

Agreed! Had much discussion on IMDB about The Prestige and a number of common misconceptions about it. The Prestige stands in my mind as his best work. And is a VERY different take on the original Christopher Priest novel (better in my view). I was quite surprised by Batman Begins and very much enjoyed it (more than I expected, to the extent that about 30 minutes in I turned to my brother and whispered almost involuntarily "this is really good", which isn't a reaction I have very often), and liked the second installment just as much (although growing up a comic book geek in the 70's and 80's i'm sure was a heavy influence on that reaction, similar to how it was on M. Night's Unbreakable).

However, the third in the series fell flat for me. I found Inception entertaining but somewhat forgettable and over-stylized with minimal emotional engagement, with Interstellar a step up from that (I like time travel components in stories) although still not as engaging as I would have preferred (plus, the 5th dimensional beings couldn't be humans because a 5th dimensional being exists above time, meaning no history, no evolution in 4d time, and that bugged me--if it were humans manipulating 5d space that'd be different, but that's not how it was presented). But The Prestige sits in my mind to this very day, even besting Memento for me (which I also really like).

I do think in some ways Nolan is overhyped. He's good, but only a couple of his works have stuck with me as being something special. Of course that's largely a subjective response. Everyone's different.

I am in agreement with you. I think The Prestige is my favorite of his work also. I enjoyed Inception and Memento, but to me, this just resonated more with me. As you said, I enjoyed the first two Nolan Batman films, but even after repeated viewings of The Dark Knight Rises, I still do not like it. There are some parts that are okay, but also there are some huge plot holes, and things I didn't care for. That's just my two pennies.

@Will Barks said:

Of all his films I enjoyed The Prestige the most. I also hold Interstellar in high regards. Somehow I never get the craze over Nolan's Batman trilogy.

IMHO, yes. It is one of the great movies of our time and indeed best of Nolan as I think the only other movie I really really enjoyed was The Dark Knight. Sadly, I have not liked any of recent movies. Quite the opposite, I found them boring. (Almost) Everyone raves about Inception and it took something like 10 goes on BluRay before I could finish the movie - it was that bad. Intersteller - WTF. Rest I will not into as it may offend Nolan fans - perhaps I have the damage already.

Yeah I'd go along with this. The massive plot hole at the centre of Interstellar really put me off that film and I never really took to the Heat meets Batman take on The Dark Knight. Style over substance.

Not seen anything earlier than Memento, but I'd go:

• Inception
• The Prestige (close second)
• Memento
• Batman Begins
• The Dark Knight Rises

(Bit of a drop)

• Interstellar/Dunkirk
• The Dark Knight (I wonder if this would be so well-loved if Heath Ledger was still with us)

(Big drop to the cure for...)

• Insomnia