These two eternal questions suddenly confronted the famous illusionists, the Romanov brothers.
They presented their new show Eight: seven numbers - the most dangerous of the known illusions in the world, the secrets of which the brothers promise to reveal, and the eighth - a new, completely unique and deadly. As a special guest at the premiere there is an American producer, with whom the Romanovs have high hopes.
But from the start, something went wrong. .
From the first issue begins to fail carefully prepared, tested and retested technique, then it turns out that one of the assistants, with which (of course, by coincidence) one of the brothers has an affair. It turns out that both are the work of the owner of a strange voice that sounds in the headphones of the brothers and their team.
The voice warns that it has made changes to all the mechanisms used in the program, but it must be carried out to the end, otherwise they will not see the assistant. His goal is the death of one of the Romanovs – allegedly because they are ready to reveal the secrets of illusions and thereby deprive all their colleagues of work.
Given the security measures taken, it is clear that the Voice is someone from within who can safely move behind the scenes and has access to equipment. Everyone is under suspicion, including each of the three brothers. And in this tense atmosphere, they will not only spend their show, trying to stay alive, but also find the owner of the mysterious voice.
Will they succeed and what will it cost? You will learn this by watching the movie “Deadly Illusions”. It came out in 2020, but then somehow passed me, I saw it only the other day. Of course, this is not a masterpiece that you want to review, there are disadvantages, but there are indisputable advantages.
The disadvantages I would include the closed space in which the action takes place (stage and behind the scenes) and, in my opinion, not very carefully prescribed dialogues, which in some places look “cardboard”.
The pros are the plot, the intrigue that keeps in suspense until the end, and the fact that, as I understood, during the shooting, they used real technique and props of really famous illusionists - the Safronov brothers. It was the Safronovs who became the creative producers of the film, and one of them, Sergey, played in the film Konstantin, an engineer who developed all the mechanisms and techniques for the Romanov show. Moreover, it was from the Safronovs that the screenwriters ‘written off’ the types of the three main characters.
In general, the film turned out not bad, especially against the background of the “general mass”, I recommend you to watch, you will not regret it. )
The film attracted the theme, ours seems to have never been filmed before. In addition, the cast did not look bad, so the degree of interest overpowered my skepticism.
And you know, I liked the painting. Let us not make comparisons about the famous illusion of deception, purely about our product: the film is beautiful. All these tricks and tricks, which were shown by the main characters, three illusionist brothers, literally fascinated, moments of going to the circus as a child immediately popped up in memory. Here the picture itself on the background of all the miracles liked. Everything seems completely unreal, although for every puzzle there is a clue. But let us not delve into the secrets of illusions, just note the beauty of the spectacle and performance. Beautiful!
As for the action-packed component, and the film is still a thriller, the mud turned out to be quite unexpected. While watching, I scrolled through several options for the finale and the culprit of the events, but did not find the right option. The film several times changes the vector of development, jumping from one suspect to another, because of which you sometimes begin to get confused in your versions, he does not suffer from this degree of interest, and even on the contrary, the intensity becomes more burning.
As for the scumbag, which suits the attacker brothers, it turns out something in the spirit of Saws on minimal grits. Without much blood and hardness, but with beautiful ways out of situations. Every time it seems that a tragedy is about to happen, but our heroes are real illusionists, in a split second coming up with a new trick. Such films always come to the viewer well, because the director does not put super-complex tasks before the viewer's brain, and the beauty and grace of events gives a real chic spectacle.
The cast, although rich in names and faces, but there are just a lot of questions. First of all, to the brothers: even purely visually Danila Yakushev, Pavel Chinarev and Andrei Burkovsky do not resemble each other at all, as if all are non-native or adopted. It’s a movie, but it’s painfully striking how different people they are. In addition, after their acting past, it is quite difficult to perceive them in such dramatic roles. Burkovsky will forever remain for me a gopnik from Give the youth!, I first saw Yakushev as a jerk-organizer of events in the first Bitter!, well, Chinarev with his specific speech and face, without offense, more like playing people with a criminal past as in Majeure. As for the rest - Alexei Kravchenko as always good, Sergey Safronov is not very convincing, but he is in general not an actor at all, Aglaya Tarasova is good, but she is catastrophically small in the frame, Semyon Treskunov, one of the boys from the trilogy Honest pioneer, also quite confidently played the role. In general, with the exception of the three main characters, the rest coped well with the roles. But even despite this, the film is so mesmerizing that all these actor's troubles went far to the side.
As a result, a beautiful (I repeat again), tenacious and rather weighty thriller came out, which attracts all its 100 minutes of timing, giving a good entertainment spectacle. In the picture there is someone to worry about, who to hate, in acute moments you can get nervous, or you can just enjoy a good movie. True, with the finale and specifically with the secret order I think overdone, but still the film is super.
8 out of 10
It seems that I have found a second problem of domestic homegrown critics - besides the constant comparison 'film - book ' they are incredibly fond of comparison ' with the original '. Remember, in the VHS era there was ' a copy from the laser disc' and ' a copy from the original'? You probably don't remember. But not the point. I haven’t seen the original and that’s my plus.
***
The film tells the story of the fate of the new show of three brothers-magicians who swirl in the corporate machine. Many dislike them - other magicians for revealing secrets, a former producer for leaving for another, a team for risking losing their jobs if the show doesn't shoot. In general, in such an atmosphere you have to perform, and someone especially offended decides to play a game with them - like 'Saws'. Of course, I will not reveal the final twist, but I will note that in the course of the film you will have exactly two assumptions, and both will be true. The simplest and most primitive.
A movie like this should be sold by actors – their acting on stage and behind the scenes, their emotions, their breakdowns. Guys who play a trio of magicians don't do that very well, to put it mildly. I don’t know the actors, but they’ve got to play.
The show itself also looks strange - I honestly wouldn't go for it, since all the tricks are the same, and between them there are not weak pauses with dancing. It is clear that pauses are necessary for the plot, but at the same time the dynamics are broken - remember the film ' Speed' there the principle was about the same, but the feeling of danger did not go anywhere.
In short, the film is the most average with an attempt to find a new genre for Russian cinema in addition to the military and gangster. That’s why I don’t want to break it completely.
To be honest, what did I expect from Russian cinema?
The beginning of only one beginning speaks about the whole film as a whole, a secret order of magicians. That even sounds silly! So let's go in order.
The illusion of deception in Russian, yes, exactly so, the film well very reminiscent of ' illusion' with one thing but, we have a magician maniac, whom I guessed already in the 10th minute of the film, and although there is another twist in the end, still the film is very predictable! The plot is perhaps the main drawback of the film, although the implementation is such, especially crooked look gluing, where the characters ' teleport '. Oh, my God, that looks miserable! A 2020 film with a 1982-level editor!
The actors by the way are good, and their roles cope, but if we take as a basis the fact that we watch not a movie, but a show in which our illusionists participate, then this is probably the most wretched show that I would ever watch, because showing one number, our characters disappear from the stage for 10-15 minutes, well, from these moments the whole atmosphere collapses, given that the director at the very beginning showed us all, although he did not poke us with his nose at everyone who can only be suspected, and why, it generally kills the whole film, if the whole film is not even well-blood, even from the picture, even a very good picture.
4 out of 10
It's a very interesting thriller. All the time you are in tension and waiting for the ending. The mystery of "The Voice" keeps the intrigue to the end. The movie is very interesting. I didn't even expect composer DJ Grove to have such intriguing music. DJ Grove handled his 5-plus job. The film has no flaws. The intrigue of the Voice among illusionists is beautifully played out. Director Asadulin made the film as a show of real magicians. I also liked that the Safronov brothers were creative producers. This gave spectacular tricks of the main characters. The mystery of "The Voice" intrigues and lures into the world of the show of illusions.
The film says, “The show must go on!” The show is who the main character of the film is. I also liked the fact that every character has skeletons in their closet. A secret that makes you intriguing. The mystery of The Voice is why I went to this movie. This movie does everything perfectly. Cool actors, cool director, famous composer, real creative producers. Complex and spectacular tricks prompted by creative producers, the Safronov brothers. I cannot convey the feelings I felt from the mystery of The Voice. What is this "Voice", we will know after watching the film to the end. This movie is great!
I liked actor Andrey Burkovsky. He famously played a lover illusionist. His feelings are sincere. I liked actress Aglaya Tarasova. She plays a great assistant, and also holds the intrigue well. Actor Alexei Kravchenko very well plays the director of the show. All actors are great.
The slogan of the film - "Everything is real - both illusions and death" - reveals the plot. The Voice wants to mix the show with reality. Yes, this thriller made me absolutely delighted.
I think few people would argue with the fact that the look at American cinema is commonplace in the cinema of many countries. Especially for domestic cinema. "S.S.D." and "Dislike" were fashioned by American slashers, "Invasion" parasitized the once popular theme of alien invasion, "Defenders" tried to ride the genre of superheroics and such examples can be listed quite a lot. This film was not an exception and directed by Oleg Asadulin.
The plot of this film develops around the famous illusionists of the Romanov brothers, who present their grandiose show to the public, in which they plan to reveal the secrets of the seven most tricks from the world of illusions. Soon, however, the show does not go according to plan. When, after one of the tricks, the assistant disappears without a trace, and the headphones of the main characters begin to sound a voice that says that they would continue the show. Otherwise, everyone will be killed.
The naked eye can see that this film was created with an obvious look at the “Illusion of deception” and “Saw”, a symbiosis of which the authors of this tape decided to present. On the one hand, developing the story around several illusionists and their grandiose show with an abundance of unexpected plot twists. On the other hand, turning these shows into real traps, getting out alive from which is almost impossible.
Despite the fact that the plot of this tape is a compilation of all the above paintings and at a minimum brings something new to the story, the plot looks quite interesting and fascinating. Especially against the background of so many unexpected plot twists that follow one after another. Bribes and the most vivid embodiment of three brothers, whose character received a worthy disclosure on the screen. What can not be said about the villains, which completely merges the last 10 minutes of the picture into something very fake, vulgar and frankly stupid.
Oleg Asadulin has long earned the fame of a frankly weak director, who has not shot anything decent except the Green Carriage for his entire career. Especially in the genre of horror film and thriller, which he fought for his entire career repeatedly. However, in this tape he definitely succeeded. Overall, the picture was quite dynamic. Suspense in the usual sense of the word in this tape is not and emotionally the picture turned out to be a little muted, but in general the film turned out to be quite dynamic and bright. Making the process of viewing this tape is quite comfortable and far from negative.
However, directing and the main degree of entertainment, in my opinion, was ruined by the absolutely “non-cinematic” concept of this film. “The Illusion of Deception” found the perfect clue to all the illusions and tricks that it showed for the fans. In this tape, it is around these very tricks that the main danger of the lives of the main characters unfolds. However, to feel this threat and imbued with empathy for the heroes is simply impossible. Since you understand that you are in front of a film with a huge number of takes, cuts and visual effects, and not real illusions that unfold literally before your eyes and reflect the real professionalism of the illusionist in trying to “fool you”. In this regard, most tricks in this tape simply do not work properly.
The trio of leading actors did their job well. Pavel Chinarev is really a little overplaying in the usual form, but Andrei Burkovsky and Danila Yakushev dignified pull the whole film and fully work out their leading roles, the chance of obtaining which they waited for many years. Aglay Tarasova in this tape is very small and it is even good. Even on “Ice” Tarasova showed herself as a weak actress and the modest screen time allotted to her heroine does not allow the picture to lose a few more points of dignity. Willingly pleased Semyon Treskunov, who demonstrated an interesting transformation of his hero on the screen. The other actors were pretty average.
6 out of 10
Deadly illusions are a symbiosis of “Illusions of deception” and “Saws”, which Russian filmmakers again decided to respond to American cinema. Overall, it was pretty normal. The film turned out to be dynamic and dense, the plot develops quite intriguing and interesting. And the actors are really trying. That's just the directing turned out to be very empty in emotional terms and empathy for the heroes is not possible at all. After all, you clearly understand that before you an ordinary film with an abundance of takes, editing glues and visual effects, and not a real trick that unfolds before your eyes and which manages to actually fool you.
Illusionists have always been popular with viewers. Cinema could not pass by the phenomenon of illusions and even over the past few years, films dedicated to illusionists have appeared on the screens of quite high quality. For example: "The Illusionist" 2006 and "The Illusion of Deception" (several parts).
Illusions and Russian cinema and immediately with a rather ambitious title - "Deadly illusions".
The three brothers of the illusionist during the show are faced with the fact that someone started a dangerous game with them and now determine where part of the show, and where the attempted murder is very difficult even for the participants of the show. The deadly game will continue until the last moment.
What is the plus and minus of this film is the huge influence of the Safronov brothers on both the plot and the film itself (Sergei Safronov also starred in one of the main roles). Because of this, in my opinion, the balance between the film and the show itself was upset, and the show won. In any movie, the main thing is the storyline, and everything else is already built from it. In this case, the main was the show of illusionists and already from him “danced” the storyline. And as a result, it turned out that I liked the show in the film, but the film itself and the storyline did not.
Therefore, I recommend the film to fans of illusions, and fans of the thriller / detective will be disappointed.
5 out of 10
Looking at the poster and the trailer of the film, you will confidently say “Russian Illusion of Deception” and you will be absolutely right, because, not watching the picture itself, but drawing your opinion only from two of these factors, you really miss a wonderful movie.
Deadly Illusions is an incredibly fascinating and striking spectacle with a huge number of special effects, tricks and complex tricks. The plot unfolds with lightning speed and will not let you go for a second, because the authors make the audience constantly in suspense: you are interested to guess who is still a traitor, even before they tell about it in the tape, and you greedily grab all the clues and hooks that you throw the writers.
But in addition to the topic with tricks, there are so many interesting problems that after watching the film you will constantly discuss – these are family values, brotherhood, love, mutual assistance and support, but most importantly – these are relationships built within the paradigm of “student-teacher”.
Of course, promoters put themselves in the wrong position, making an external copy of the “Illusion of deception” – now the viewer, seeing the poster, most likely will not go to the picture, because they think “again the Russians stole the idea and spoiled the film”, we want a breath of fresh air, not American replicas. I can say with confidence that “deadly illusions are not such!”
You will be surprised by the plot twists, and believe me, you will not guess until the very end who the traitor is.
True, the tape, unfortunately, poorly designed story with the Secret Society, which makes sure that the tricks are not revealed, but this is only one drawback of the film, despite its huge advantages.
The other day I watched the movie “Deadly Illusions” and was pleasantly surprised that not everything is so bad with our cinema. Apparently, the question was that the main focus was everything - after all, on the shows and numbers from the programs of the Safronov brothers. And it looked very advantageous, behind the colorful numbers managed to hide the roughness of the detective component. All right, in order.
The harsh world of show business dictates its rules and orders, and to make a step forward you need something or someone to sacrifice. This is exactly what the illusionists of the Romanov brothers did to get a lucrative contract. But as they say, you have to pay for everything and the show threatens unpredictable consequences for the authors.
To the machinations of an external threat, the showdowns between management and artists are added, and not everything is fine within the team itself, layers of problems, it would seem, lead to a tragedy that can be prevented at the last minute. It was a funny episode with the revelation of the American manager.
The film turned out to be spectacular in terms of numbers, this is its indisputable dignity, a good acting game was shown by Burkovsky, Chinarev and Yakushev who played the Romanov brothers, the nerve of relations and tension was visible. Aglaya Tarasova looked good too. But Marina Petrenko was in this film expressionless, but apparently due to the weakness of the role on the script.
As a result, I will positively evaluate the film, because I enjoyed watching it. To the minuses I will carry the secret order pulled by the ears, as well as the weak thriller line. But to the credit of the filmmakers – the interest in the course of viewing still did not weaken until the very end of the film.
The review will be short. The film is a very long 120 minutes. It would be better to do the opposite. The film is boring and sad, like a rainy autumn. The film is slurred and clichéd, everything slicked from across the ocean. Cuts the eyes Hollywood chips and sloppy themes. It's a great idea, thank you for the idea, but the incarnation is still lame. And in some places, "Spanish shame." They're crazy and I'm ashamed.
The plot is painfully familiar and primitive, like a balalaika. It seems to me that in Russia, all the screenwriters have either died out at once or have forgotten how to write something new. Much easier as Kirkorov to take from behind the hill tracing and adapt to the Russian way. Cheap and angry. With such an approach, soon we will only “remake things”. The Institute of creativity and amateurism apparently died out together with the USSR.
A little bit about the plot and the plot. Even here, ours gave jazz. They took as a basis the real illusionists of the Safronov brothers. And even one in the movie was shot in the form of a cameo to play up the interest. It would be better to invite David Blazevic or Amayak Hakobyan. The casting was, of course, fun. To shoot Burkovsky in dramas, after 15 years of playing a “rusty” gopnik and metrosexual in the sitcom – this is certainly not a good idea. Jim Carrey plays Hamlet at the minimum. Two more actor-brothers "episodes" in life. Here they look softly, not harmonious. Three different brothers, probably from three different fathers or mothers, because they all have different hair color. I think the casting director lives on the principle of "and it will work." Well, it's lyrics, here's berries and flowers.
Three brothers (like a reference to the Safronov brothers) show magic tricks on stage in the style of zardelo and risk. The audience likes it. I don't. We have already seen this in two parts of Illusions of Deception. That's why it doesn't. Then an anonymous villain appears and begins to nightmare the three brothers and arrange death rides for them. But there's no fear and no adrenaline. And endorphins don't excrete. Only melatonin for snoring and sleeping in the middle of the session. The floor got up and left in 60 minutes. Give me the money back, gentlemen, it's a fiasco.
The cast cuts the eye and blinds the pupils, all recognizable, from Burkovsky to Aglaia from the film Ice. But it's very long and dim. It will be fine for once, but sitting for two hours is very long and unconvincing. It is better to revisit the original from the United States “The illusion of deception”.
The only thing that could have saved this movie and rolled it out was an 18+ rating with blood, sex and violence. Then it would at least be tempting and tough. Hype would be black PR. And bad advertising is also advertising. But it's all Disney-like and cute. I think even schoolchildren and students will get bored at a session lasting 2 hours, not counting the introduction and credits, as well as trailers.
4 out of 10
Four balls For mediocre adaptation, tolerant characters, recognizable actors and a couple of exclusive scenes in the style of "unexpected as", fire extinguisher, computer pigeons and a girl in a cube. If there is nothing to watch and all the sessions are already mastered, you can devote an evening to this product, but do not fall asleep there and do not snore. Do not thank for the advice, it is better to review the trailer once again and read this review to your friend.
There were high expectations, a beautiful synopsis and idea, a domestic version 'Now You See Me' or maybe better? Unfortunately no. 'Illusion of deception' kept in suspense, delighted and led his narrative in various locations, a kind of adventure into the world of magicians.
This work is limited to a single performance hall, you will spend two hours not only in the walls of the cinema, but also the stage and behind the scenes on the other side of the screen. The main theme of the thriller attracts interest only for 30 minutes, then walks around and becomes frankly boring.
So the problem with the film is narrative. A good part could be spent on the backstory of the main characters, diluted with flashbacks, or anything, even if such techniques would be cliched, but two hours to watch the tricks and skirmishes behind the scenes is too much. If you stick to this path, the timing is clearly stretched, limited only to a short 5-minute prequel about the illusionist of “those times”.
The thriller element is weak. According to the plot, a “mysterious” villain intervenes in the play and trick-pocuses can be deadly. Apparently, the viewer should be in suspense a few seconds before the timer of the fatal number expires, but where does he come from, if it is already clear what will happen? This is not a horror movie, which means that it is known in advance that no one will split, a little drama could be added to the release from the clutches of death. Shot from a rifle does not leave blood, toli is so conceived, or to please 12+. Yes, towards the end we get an interesting twist, but by this point you get tired of the film.
You get tired because in the film about illusions stuffed wagon with a trailer of graphics and from illusions remains one name. Some cunning elements with secret passages showed, it's funny, thank you. But the terrible graphics of the explosion and other moments... It would be better if they were not, the film about illusionists should be about illusionists, and not be some kind of exhibition hall "achievements" that part of the team that was engaged in VFX.
Going back to the thriller, the most interesting thing is going to happen at the end, right? As usual. That's just the genre of "thriller" and interesting that in the end there should be an act of revelation, which will excite the minds of the audience and deliver a lot of impressions. According to the writer’s idea, this could happen, but everything was screwed up by the director, who, instead of mixing the key characters with the crowd and not leaving clues, just shows a close-up: ' Here, the viewer, meet me, I am not giving this person so much attention for nothing, it will be him / her!' Phew! There are films with a predictable plot, but then the genius of Oleg Asadulin went further and added to the timing frank spoilers. The scenes before the credits were supposed to leave a note of understatement and produce a “Wow effect”, but alas, by this point there was only disappointment.
From the positive points, it was nice to see Sergey Safronov. By the way, it is worth recalling that the Safronov brothers are also three, as well as the main characters in the film, but I want to believe that this is not an autobiography, but only a reference. In general, the cast pleases the eye. All except Danila Yakushev, he has no emotions, nothing. Also worth noting is OST, DJ Groove knows his business.
The negative part of the review. God forbid you have the idea to compare this beautiful, even pompous and lacquered half-pop detective with the genius film Nolan & #39;Prestige' Don't try. Although 'Deadly illusions' tell the same story. About the jealousy of illusionists to each other, about the struggle within the subculture, about the settings and intrigues, about the revenge of the corporation and so on.
The film takes place in one big magic show. However, it resembles a pioneering paramilitary game 'Zarnitsa' which is played behind the scenes. Security guards suspect everyone, even their own, of betraying and leaking classified information to competitors. Looking for the pest right behind the scenes.
It seems that many of the lines were written by military or athletes. They have maximum calls to action and minimum meaning. Yes, and the performers of the main roles would be more suitable for creating images 'honest special agents' than illusionists.
At first, the plot seems simple, but in the process it begins to get more complicated. A little, but enough to keep the viewer’s attention.
The positive part. Whatever it is, and 'Deadly illusions' will not let you get bored! We watch in detail a large show of magicians, where they show a lot of small, medium and several large numbers. Anxiety is growing as artists are always teetering on the brink of failure. If you are not convinced by the detective line of the film, then the show itself has something to see!
Even the slight threat that hangs over the brothers-magicians, does not interfere with the spectacular performance of the tricks. The girl of one of the brothers was allegedly kidnapped by an attacker. They threaten to kill either her, behind the scenes, or one of the three main illusionists right in front of the public.
The editing of the film is a little annoying. However, this does not turn into a significant obstacle either. It just hides the flaws of dramaturgy.
VERDICT: The main drawback of the film is that it is advertised as ' incredible' blockbuster. And in fact ' Deadly illusions' are a strong entertainment product that you can watch, and after a couple of days safely forget. But if you like the illusionist show, then this movie is definitely for you!
6 out of 10
Deadly illusions is a story about love, and, at once, of several types: brotherly, fatherly and, finally, romantic.
I will start with the latter, as it is, in my opinion, the weakest and most undiscovered. We initially put it as a fact, and love is believed, unfortunately, only on one side (male).
But the relationship of the three brothers is already shown much better, believe in the senior controller, and in the middle romance, and in the younger one who just wants to steal a piece of fame and control and the oldest. I liked their interaction very much and was probably the largest percentage of my positive impression of the film.
Fatherly love goes a line through the whole film, even if the father is not native to the brothers and not even a stepfather at all, but rather a father figure, someone who sincerely cared about the characters and was with them from beginning to end.
Illusions and tricks (namely, this topic is externally the main one for the film) I also liked: they were quite spectacular and made me strain and worry for the characters, for their safety, as if you were sitting not in the chair of the cinema, but at the performance itself.
The last thing I want to say is acting. The main characters - Andrei Burkovsky, Pavel Chinarev, Danila Yakushev - managed to hook me and make me believe in their heroes and their relationships. Female characters were less convincing, but also not annoying. Surprisingly, even Sergey Safronov tried!
In general, if you want to watch a tense drama in a very beautiful atmosphere of magical illusions, then I recommend watching the film.
My score: 8 out of 10 for minor flaws in the acting of certain characters and the undisclosed subject ' revelations' about which much was said, but little was shown. The film didn't spoil that, though.