Review of The Illusionist (2009) by Worth T — 15 Feb 2011

I did not like this movie. I was excited about seeing it because the previews sold it as a creative, artsy and endearing animated story of a father/daughter relationship with some magic mixed in. When in fact it is a predictable, painfully slow and depressing (and not child safe - the parent in front me had to try to explain to her young daughter a suicide attempt) depiction of greed (the increasingly spoiled girl) and loneliness/depression (the illusionist and other performers). While I did appreciate the visual qualities of the film and some of the characters, I found the film's underlying theme/message disappointing, if not depressing.

Granted, not every animated film has to be uplifting, but it at least has to have message. And the only messages I took away from The Illusionist were i) don't become a magician and ii) when in doubt, leech onto old depressed men and they will carry you through.

Feels like one of those films that only really artsy people like (or at least pretend to like).