Reviewing Monsters University courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Philippines. Opens June 29 and featuring the voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman as Mike and Sully respectively.
It's a return engagement to the world of Sully and Mike Wozawski this time however, we take a step back to that time before the events of Monsters Inc. to find out the origin of Mike and Sully's friendship as well as how they actually got to where they are. In the grand scheme of things, Monsters University is the first daring risk that Walt Disney and Pixar has taken. They've always been known for making sequels but never a prequel. Did they pass the mark? Did they actually do good in this type of feature film story telling? The answer is yes.
There's a lot of cute moments here in Monsters U that will appeal to folks of different ages. It's also chock full of meta stuff, which is amusing considering that all that plus more is wrapped in such a movie. Still after all these years, I'm also still impressed with how Disney managed to cast it's traditional magic in this new movie. The characters are also evenly matched to their voices; Serenity's Nathan Fillion comes into the film as Johnny the Jaw, Sean Hayes [of Will and Grace] as Terri, Charlie Day as Art and Helen Mirren as Dean Hardscrabble all fit the characters to the T.
Being that it's a prequel, nothing earth-shattering or career ending happens here. No villain dies and Randell Boggs [played by Steve Buscemi] is still alive and still the laughing stock in one form or another. As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of metas that come into play in this movie. One of the most recurring ones happen to revolve around Mike and how he pines to be a scarer, no, the top scarer for Monsters Inc. Of course that doesn't happen in the first movie as its actually Sully who becomes that. While Toy Story delved around friendship and acceptance of what you are, Monsters University focuses more on friendship and growing up together. It's an evolving friendship as seen in the relationship between the two main characters.
Another great thing about Monsters University is the gags. It starts slow but by the time we get to see the big scare fest, you'll be chuckling not only at the antics of Mike and Sully but also with the other OK (Oozma Kappa) members such as Art and Terri & Terry.
Major props to the production crew for giving us a couple of easter eggs in the movie. Oh and to answer your question, YES, THERE IS ANOTHER POST-CREDIT SCENE and you do not want to miss that.
Overall, Monsters University is a great movie to catch this weekend. Be sure to bring the kids and make it a family bonding moment. Oh and I also advice you to watch it in 3D as it gives more life to the already lively gang of would-be scary monsters. Special thanks once again to Walt Disney Studios Philippines. Catch Monsters University as it is released today (June 26).
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.
Comic superstar Jim Carrey plays guerilla street magician Steve Gray who’s out to dethrone Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) as Las Vegas’ king of magic, in New Line Cinema’s envelope-pushing comedy, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.”
In the film, magicians Burt Wonderstone 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.
Olivia Wilde (“Cowboys & Aliens,” “TRON: Legacy”) stars as Jane—the assistant who bailed on superstar magician Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell), in New Line Cinema’s highly anticipated comedy, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.”
Though she never once succumbed to what Burt assumed was his irresistible charm, and she didn’t have the kindest words for him at their last parting, Burt hopes she still feels enough loyalty to the old act to prevent her from slamming the door in his face. In the film, magicians Burt Wonderstone 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 is starting to look stale. But there’s still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act—both onstage and off—if only Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place. A magicians’ assistant by default, Jane was plucked from the show’s backstage crew one night after Burt and Anton’s previous eye-candy associate quit during intermission. “She’s literally tossed off her feet, her clothes are ripped off in the wings and they throw a costume on her, slap on a blonde wig, and push her out on stage so she’s totally out of her depth the first second we see her,” offers director Don Scardino. Adds producer Chris Bender, “She’s actually an aspiring illusionist who used to admire Burt Wonderstone very much. Of course, that was before she met him.” Seeing the character as smart and confident, but with a kind of awkwardness that was fun to play with, Olivia Wilde says, “The way Jane is thrust into the act completely unprepared gave me a chance to play up the comedy of the situation, which was something new for me. I like the idea of her having to overcome her stage fright on the job, being nervous and not wanting to get into that ridiculous spangled outfit but having no choice.” In those few frantic seconds before the curtain goes up, it’s Anton who calmly applies Jane’s lipstick, a personal touch that, Wilde says, “Steve Buscemi came up with at the last second, and it really helps to establish their camaraderie right off the bat.” Jane’s relationship with Burt, though, was not nearly as intimate, in any sense of the word. “He experiences a different dynamic with her,” co-star Steve Carell admits. “She’s tougher and more intelligent and focused than the women he’s accustomed to dating. Frankly, any woman who dates or sleeps with Burt Wonderstone immediately regrets it and hates herself, and Jane certainly wouldn’t do that because she’s better than that.” Surprisingly, Jane believes Burt is better than that, too. A fan since childhood, she credits him with inspiring her interest in the many facets of magic and, despite her disappointment, still shares that affinity with him. “She’s horrified to see how lazy and entitled he’s become and how he’s lost his way, but also believes that, somewhere inside, he’s still brilliant,” Wilde concludes. Opening across the Philippines on March 20, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” is a New Line Cinema presentation and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
Here's a look at the upcoming comedy film "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" which pits Steve Carell against Jim Carrey together with Steve Buscemi.
Official Synopsis: 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.
