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.
From the most eagerly anticipated reboot of the Superman franchise, to new offerings from master directors Guillermo del Toro, Bryan Singer, Baz Luhrmann, Alfonso Cuaron, to the continuation of the blockbuster series “The Hobbit” and “The Hangover,” the 2013 line-up of Warner Bros. Pictures lives up to the studio's thrust: to entertain the world.
Check out Warner's formidable slate of films for the coming new year!
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.
