The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
(2012 - March 15)
Comedy
1 hr. 40 min.
Rated: PG-13 Sexual content, dangerous stunts, a drug-related incident and language. Read more
Grade: D+
Director: Don Scardino
Stars: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Luke Vanek, Mason Cook, Jim Carrey | See full cast and crew
Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt's growing ego. But lately the duo's greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they've grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each outrageous stunt, even their show looks stale. But there's still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act-both onstage and off-if Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place. -- (c) WB
What a snooze-fest this film is. The Incredible Bert Wonderstone is neither incredible or wonderful, in fact I nodded off right at the climax of the film. I didn't miss much and niether will you if you decide to stay at home or wait until it comes out on DVD. This movie, I'm sure, seemed a much better idea on paper. It unfortunately is a series of unrealized comedy bits...with the emphasis on bits. There's not much magic and even less humor. It's pretty much like a Will Ferrell movie. The only good thing about that comparison is that Will Ferrell is not in this film.
With the beginning of each scene you think, OK, this is where it will pick up and this scene will have something to make me laugh. Eventually you would settle for something that would simply make you smile. I think the blame rests on the writing and directing. I knew director Don Scardino from New York, he was a good actor, I remember seeing him on Broadway in 1978, in the musical version of the cult classic anti-war movie, 'The King of Hearts'. I liked the show and saw it several times before it's premature closing due to a Newspaper strike.
New York City was in the midst of a three-month-long newspaper strike when the
musical opened, and the lack of advertising and print reviews contributed to its quick demise, it only lasted 48 performances. I recognized Don as a very talented guy, then came a bit of a scandal when he and Victor Garber were rumored to be having an affair. Anyway, the reason I even brought this up is that the directing of this film is problematic, as I thought about it, Don Scardino who's roots are as a stage actor has directed this film and it has the feeling of direction for the stage rather than film. It is one of the reasons, I think, for why this film doesn't work. To be fair, he has done a lot of direction for TV, 30 Rock, etc. but his is his Feature Film debut.
Not even Jim Carry can save this 'comedy', appearing as an extreme street magician which presents plenty of opportunity for him to be funny, he just simply isn't, his performance falls as flat as Steve Carell's. Mister Scardino even fails to utilize Alan Arkin effectively. Part of the responsibility of this film's failure is certainly due to the writing. It is obviously a jab at the expense of Sigfried and Roy, and there is plenty of room their for some comedy but they really missed the mark.
With all the talent on board you keep thinking, this can't continue to be so lame, there has to be something funny just around the corner, but it's an unending maze of turns into one dead end after another. Save your money.
Behind the scenes with director Don Scardino
Cast
Rance Holloway Doug Munny
