The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Review

The last magician movie that I saw was "The Prestige" and that, borrowing what Steve Carell's Burt Wonderstone stated early on in the film, 'blew my mind'. It's not so much because it's a magician versus magician movie but because of the spellbinding tricks done by Wolverine and Batman. Warner's Burt Wonderstone on the other hand tells the opposite, it's magician rivalry mixed in with themes of friendship, wonderment and a bit of love. 

So this flick tells the story of two magicians, Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton, played by Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi respectively who are suddenly upstaged by a brash new upstart street magician (played by Carrey). There's also a subplot about the budding relationship between Steve Carell's character and that of Olivia Wilde's character Jane. Another subplot here is the falling out and subsequent mending-of-fences between Burt and Anton. 

THE GOOD:

- Olivia Wilde is such a darling to watch here. We've got a lot of different looks for this beautiful woman I am crushing on. Watch out for that scene where she wears a luchador mask as well as her 'final form' which makes her resemble DC heroine Zatanna. (Hey Warner, if you want a Zatanna for the Justice League movie, then the delectable Ms. Wilde should be your best bet.)

- Steve Carell is back with his hijinks and his awkward moments. From spazzing out inside the hot box to acting like a gigantic douche, Carell is interesting as a Las Vegas magician. 

- Alan Arkin's appearance here gave this flick more pedigree. I tell you the guy can play funny old men perfectly and more aptly than other actors. The guy is also sparse when it comes to quips and does a pretty convincing old magician. 

- If there's another reason to watch "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" it's got to be Jim Carrey and his take on the whole street magician fad that took over the world last decade. Taking pointers from the likes of David Blaine and Criss Angel, Carrey is an entertaining street magician. 

- Watch out for the funny bits towards the end especially the final trick the duo concocts to win back this new contract, a cameo appearance by legendary illusionist David Copperfield and much more. Also 'Burt Wonderstone' was an eye opener in answering this important question - "How do magicians have sex?".

THE BAD:

- I loved Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) here but I'm disappointed by the really short appearance he made here in the film. I'm not looking for the real co-starring role but the script could've done it so that there's solid screen time for Buscemi.

- I was really hoping for a good 'showdown' between Jim Carrey and Steve Carell but I was sorely disappointed in that front. Based on the fun factor in that 'showdown' scene, I was really expecting that they would top it off at the end with something similar to a 'fliptop' battle. Instead we get treated to a whimsy albeit disgusting finish for Carrey's character. 

- Some scenes in the film creeped the heck out of me. I'm talking about Carell's use of spray tan. Ugh. Also while we're on the subject of Steve Carell, the guys routine ranting and raving is starting to get old. I hope he gets to inject something new in his next movies. 

Overall, 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' is a nice way to pass the time and have a good laugh. Don't expect too much from Jim Carrey and Steve Buscemi nor anything substantial from Olivia Wilde and Alan Arkin. Just laugh hard and sit back. 

Special thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone opens March 20,2013.