The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

'THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE': Three Stars (Out of Five)

A movie with a cast like this (Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, Olivia Wilde and James Gandolfini) can't be all bad and I'm a little puzzled at how poorly it's done at the box office. I think it's just the premise; no one is eager to see a movie about competitive stage magicians and I wasn't either (that's why I wasn't entirely sold by the previews despite the cast as well). The reviews for the film have been mediocre to negative too so I did go into it with somewhat low expectations. In my opinion that's the best way to see any movie because if it doesn't completely blow you're happy. This movie doesn't completely blow. It's funny and the cast all gives decent to good performances. It's not one of the most well written or best directed comedies in recent years but it's decent. Carell, Carrey and the rest of the cast have all done much better work but this isn't too big of a blemish for any of their resumes.

The film stars Carell and Buscemi as popular magicians, Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton, who've had a sold-out stage act on the Las Vegas Strip for years. They met as children and learned magic together but in recent years they've grown apart. As Burt's ego has only gotten bigger and bigger he's learned to take Anton for granted and is only interested in getting laid. Their act has grown old and unoriginal as a result of their lack of motivation and passion. They've also now been threatened by a new street magician (Carrey) who's grown in popularity as theirs has diminished. An old idol (Arkin) and their mistreated assistant (Wilde) do what they can to help bring back the duo's magic and friendship.

The film was directed by Don Scardino (a veteran TV director) and written by Jonathan M. Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Chad Kultgen and Tyler Mitchell. With all those writers you'd think they could have came up with a better script but usually the more writers there are the poorer the writing tends to be in Hollywood. Scardino isn't the most experienced director to deliver the power to the punch lines these jokes need either. Still the movie isn't amateurish and like I said the acting is all good. Carell is always a great leading man, Buscemi is good in any role he's put in and it's nice to see Carrey trying a supporting turn as the movie's dislikeable villain. He's in great shape for the role and gives it his all (and I think he's probably paying Carell back for all the supporting turns he did in Carey's movies earlier in his career). The movie is definitely not bad, it's funny, and while the laugh out loud jokes might be a little few and far between the film is still always mildly amusing in the least.

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As many people here often say, "not quite sure why this movie gets the rating it currently has". This is a good movie. Great movie, no, but good and honestly funny movie? Yes! Steve Carell is one of Hollywood's more consistent actors and funny men. Jim Carrey is as well. It was interesting to see two comedians with completely different approaches to comedy on the same screen. It works. Olivia Wilde does a wonderful job. But what's special about this movie is the writing and how truly funny it is at times. I had several 'laugh out loud' moments and for me, a seasoned comedy movie aficionado, that's saying a lot. Maybe the movie just spoke to me at some level, but I still think it's worth a watch. Maybe it'll speak to you too.

This film is about two long time magician partners who perform in Las Vegas. Their show goes stale and they have to find ways to reinvent themselves.

"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" has a simple plot, which tells the standard tale of two magicians who team up from childhood, cooperate, fall out and make up. The story is too plain and predictable, and it drags on a bit long. It takes half an hour of screen time before the idea of reinvention comes up, which is too long. The friendship subplot is not so touching and affecting either. The only interesting character is Jim Carrey as an unconventional magician with disturbing acts. I am impressed by how he could turn one eye to one side and the other eye is looking ahead. Overall, "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" is a mediocre and a rather forgettable comedy.

Basically, this movie - about two warring magicians - got a lot of flack at the box office and was almost branded 'a flop.' Yes, it's no masterpiece. It's not even a comedy masterpiece. Perhaps people expected more because of the talent on display. They may have a point - the film does have a stellar cast and maybe it should have been better, or funnier than it actually is. However, just because it's no classic, doesn't mean that it's not worth watching.

It's light-hearted and easy-going. The gags - while occasionally predictable - are still amusing. You may not have many 'belly laughs' but, if you're in the mood for something that isn't very serious and quite frothy, the film should maintain a little smile on your face all the way through.

You may get a little more out of it if you're a fan of any or all of the actors. Steve Carell and Jim Carrey are top-billed and for a reason - they play their (kind of stupid) parts very well.

My only gripe is that it ran for about ten minutes too long in my opinion. It probably could have been trimmed somewhere in the middle to make it just that little bit tighter. Still fun though.

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A lot of times I go into a movie with an opinion already formed about it. It's not based on any research or critical reviews, simply on the trailer. That was case with The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. My opinion of the film was not too positive going in. I was dragged to it by a friend of mine with questionable taste in movies to begin with. I could have not been more surprised. I found myself laughing through the entire feature.

The movie is pretty farcical to say the least, at some junctures borderline silly, but found myself quite enjoying the humor. It was a nice change of pace from all the recent comedies that have to go to the extreme with language and sex humor to make their point. It pokes fun at inter-workings of the illusionist and the final scene before the credits is classic.

The characters were very well cast. It is no secret based on past films and TV that Steve Carrell has experience in magic tricks, and he pulls it off in the film. It was also refreshing to see Steve Buscemi reprise a comedic role and carry, an impressive contrast to bootlegger Knucky Thompson. And as you would expect, Jim Carrey steals the show as the antagonistic shock magician, Steve Gray. For those who like these actors, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is a silly, light hearted but enjoyable hour and forty minute movie.