Review – The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) is a Las Vegas headliner. With best friend Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) at his side, the two have risen from school outcasts to two of the most popular magicians working the Magic Mecca. Now after years of the limelight, the two have grown apart. Anton continues as a bit of an outcast while Burt uses his popularity to its utmost by leaving the performances with a different beautiful companion on a regular basis. But these two have a problem, they have gotten stale. 

Enter upstart Steve Gray (Jim Carrey). He is doing things that people haven’t seen before. Coming from the realm of the internet, he has a tendency to push the envelope of sensibility by physically abusing himself for the benefit of his magic. Burt doesn’t understand how Gray has so endeared himself to fans around the world, but when casino owner Doug Munny (James Gandolfini) lets him go he must start to search his soul for what magic really is.

While Steve Gray’s popularity is growing, Burt struggles to get a gig for a child’s part and has the fortune to meet his personal idol Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin). Rance is an old man that is a bit bitter, but Burt has a way to help reignite something inside of him. Now it is going to take getting back with his partner, Anton, and reimagining what magic can be to secure a new job and a new lease on magic. But does he have anything left in him?

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is still a bit of a mystery to me. I left the theater conflicted as there are moments in the film that are truly fun, and funny…but there are also moments that get lost and leave you confused.

When the film is funny, it works. Carell and Carrey as foils is unique and can be fun. The two of them know what to do to get the attention of the audience. Carrey’s antics will take you from elation to cringing with horror as he completes some of the tricks Gray is using in the film for stardom.

One part fun and unique comedy…one part drama…and one part great acting go into The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. Despite all that, there is the part that leans toward muddled mess that can’t make up its mind what it wants to be, and that’s the part that takes way too much hold on the film.

The magic of some cool people and things helps to keep the film above water. Despite the fact that it comes up a little short, it still is an amazing trick to pull this movie out of the hat. Abracadabra…The Incredible Burt Wonderstone succeeds despite all the obstacles.

B                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Warner Brothers Pictures

Director: Don Scardino

Cast: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, James Gandolfini, Alan Arkin

Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, dangerous stunts, a drug-related incident and language.

Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes