User reviews

Burt Wonderstone may be more pleasant than it really deserves credit for. Maybe it's because the past two months have been such a wasteland for films, or maybe it's because I am somewhat easily amused. None the less, this is a pleasant film. It didn't blow me away or leave me crying from laughing so hard, but the combination of the comedic chops of the delightful cast and the entertaining magic tricks left me smiling when I left the theater. In a time when there is little in the theater to get excited about, this is a film I quite enjoyed.

Steve Carell plays magician Burt Wonderstone, the boastful, self-indulgent, and obnoxiously asinine half to Steve Buscemi, who are partners, and best friends since childhood, in the magic business in Vegas. However, both Burt's obnoxiousness and a new street magician, played by Jim Carrey, soon get in the way of his success, and he's forced to re-examine what his career means to him.

While the magic might be a mystery here, the plot isn't, and it's a plot that goes through all the motions and hits all the points. But if you're someone who doesn't mind that, you will find yourself enjoying this film for it's bright points. Steve Carell is both pompous and lovable here, an idiot savant so to speak, but as a magician lampooning well known, silly performing magicians in Vegas, he's hilarious. Jim Carrey is the second part of the equation, at his best since years. Jim hasn't been this funny in a long time and steals the show every time he's on screen. Rounding out the cast are an underused Steve Buscemi, who disappears for a good chunk of the film, Olivia Wilde who seems like a bit of a mismatch for the goofy Carell, and James Gandolfini as James Gandolfini running a casino. There's also a wonderful appearance by Alan Arkin as an aging and inspirational magician.

There's a lot here that works, and a lot that doesn't. All of the mockery towards magicians of all kinds are spot on. Carell and Buscemi are perfect as send ups of well known magicians like David Copperfield and Jim Carrey is likewise as a caricature of "street magicians" like Criss Angel. And there's just enough Jim that he's hilarious, but not obnoxiously overused. Olivia Wilde gets her own spotlight to shine and she's as pleasant as ever here. And the combination of magic and comedy are a great and somewhat refreshing mix. I'll also add that just about everything with Alan Arkin is hilarious.

However, the film is pretty formulaic and there's a lot that feels forced. The love story, for one, feels generic and plastic. It's hard to believe that, after everything Olivia Wilde's character goes through with Carell's character, she falls for him (though there is a particular scene between the two that is pretty hilarious). Most of the plot points also feel very by the numbers. Most of the comedy comes from gags and one-offs.

But, in the end, it all adds up to a fun and entertaining time. If you're going expecting something amazing, you'll probably be disappointed, but if you're going expecting to have a fun time, then I think you will find yourself pleased.

I couldn't help but enjoy this movie. Everything was telling me that this was a stupid ridiculous comedy but it was still quite funny. Magicians are a special breed, what they can do can be shocking but when it comes down to it they will always be kinda weird and geeky : )

Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi play the "old school" magicians i.e. Siegfried and Roy, and Jim Carrey plays the intense "too cool for school" magician i.e. Criss Angel. Their portrayals may be over the top but they are a completely accurate spoof of them. It was so pathetically funny watching their ego's destroy them.

If you normally don't enjoy comedy from Steve Carell and Jim Carrey then you probably won't like this movie. This is classic them in every way. Silly, a little lame and completely over the top but nevertheless still enjoyable.

A lot of times I go into a movie with an opinion already formed about it. It's not based on any research or critical reviews, simply on the trailer. That was case with The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. My opinion of the film was not too positive going in. I was dragged to it by a friend of mine with questionable taste in movies to begin with. I could have not been more surprised. I found myself laughing through the entire feature.

The movie is pretty farcical to say the least, at some junctures borderline silly, but found myself quite enjoying the humor. It was a nice change of pace from all the recent comedies that have to go to the extreme with language and sex humor to make their point. It pokes fun at inter-workings of the illusionist and the final scene before the credits is classic.

The characters were very well cast. It is no secret based on past films and TV that Steve Carrell has experience in magic tricks, and he pulls it off in the film. It was also refreshing to see Steve Buscemi reprise a comedic role and carry, an impressive contrast to bootlegger Knucky Thompson. And as you would expect, Jim Carrey steals the show as the antagonistic shock magician, Steve Gray. For those who like these actors, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is a silly, light hearted but enjoyable hour and forty minute movie.

Basically, this movie - about two warring magicians - got a lot of flack at the box office and was almost branded 'a flop.' Yes, it's no masterpiece. It's not even a comedy masterpiece. Perhaps people expected more because of the talent on display. They may have a point - the film does have a stellar cast and maybe it should have been better, or funnier than it actually is. However, just because it's no classic, doesn't mean that it's not worth watching.

It's light-hearted and easy-going. The gags - while occasionally predictable - are still amusing. You may not have many 'belly laughs' but, if you're in the mood for something that isn't very serious and quite frothy, the film should maintain a little smile on your face all the way through.

You may get a little more out of it if you're a fan of any or all of the actors. Steve Carell and Jim Carrey are top-billed and for a reason - they play their (kind of stupid) parts very well.

My only gripe is that it ran for about ten minutes too long in my opinion. It probably could have been trimmed somewhere in the middle to make it just that little bit tighter. Still fun though.

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Good comedy has a ring of truth and reality to it. This movie was mostly nonsensical. It had some laughs here and there, but I was pretty much the only one in the audience of three parties laughing. I think the comedians in it are funny, but the story is kind of shallow and stupid.

It wasn't a total waste of time but it wasn't something that held your attention very well either. It was sort of a time killer type comedy. Parts of it were just plain disgusting or scary, making it hard to laugh. People in the audience actually seemed to be in a bad mood watching it.

Jim Carey was funny as a sex symbol magician and Alan Arkin was funny as a cranky old man. They were just funny characters. There were little ironic jokes here and there but the piece didn't hold together well.

'THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE': Three Stars (Out of Five)

A movie with a cast like this (Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, Olivia Wilde and James Gandolfini) can't be all bad and I'm a little puzzled at how poorly it's done at the box office. I think it's just the premise; no one is eager to see a movie about competitive stage magicians and I wasn't either (that's why I wasn't entirely sold by the previews despite the cast as well). The reviews for the film have been mediocre to negative too so I did go into it with somewhat low expectations. In my opinion that's the best way to see any movie because if it doesn't completely blow you're happy. This movie doesn't completely blow. It's funny and the cast all gives decent to good performances. It's not one of the most well written or best directed comedies in recent years but it's decent. Carell, Carrey and the rest of the cast have all done much better work but this isn't too big of a blemish for any of their resumes.

The film stars Carell and Buscemi as popular magicians, Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton, who've had a sold-out stage act on the Las Vegas Strip for years. They met as children and learned magic together but in recent years they've grown apart. As Burt's ego has only gotten bigger and bigger he's learned to take Anton for granted and is only interested in getting laid. Their act has grown old and unoriginal as a result of their lack of motivation and passion. They've also now been threatened by a new street magician (Carrey) who's grown in popularity as theirs has diminished. An old idol (Arkin) and their mistreated assistant (Wilde) do what they can to help bring back the duo's magic and friendship.

The film was directed by Don Scardino (a veteran TV director) and written by Jonathan M. Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Chad Kultgen and Tyler Mitchell. With all those writers you'd think they could have came up with a better script but usually the more writers there are the poorer the writing tends to be in Hollywood. Scardino isn't the most experienced director to deliver the power to the punch lines these jokes need either. Still the movie isn't amateurish and like I said the acting is all good. Carell is always a great leading man, Buscemi is good in any role he's put in and it's nice to see Carrey trying a supporting turn as the movie's dislikeable villain. He's in great shape for the role and gives it his all (and I think he's probably paying Carell back for all the supporting turns he did in Carey's movies earlier in his career). The movie is definitely not bad, it's funny, and while the laugh out loud jokes might be a little few and far between the film is still always mildly amusing in the least.

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As many people here often say, "not quite sure why this movie gets the rating it currently has". This is a good movie. Great movie, no, but good and honestly funny movie? Yes! Steve Carell is one of Hollywood's more consistent actors and funny men. Jim Carrey is as well. It was interesting to see two comedians with completely different approaches to comedy on the same screen. It works. Olivia Wilde does a wonderful job. But what's special about this movie is the writing and how truly funny it is at times. I had several 'laugh out loud' moments and for me, a seasoned comedy movie aficionado, that's saying a lot. Maybe the movie just spoke to me at some level, but I still think it's worth a watch. Maybe it'll speak to you too.

Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) astounded Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) with just a basic handkerchief disappearing magic act when they were kids. The two quickly became friends and eventually partners performing in Ballys Casino and Hotel in Vegas. After performing thousands of the same show, their performances became just a routine and they quickly lost passion for magic. Furthermore, their future performing in Vegas was quickly threatened by stunt magician, Steve Gray (Jim Carrey). Will they be able to find the passion they lost and gain back their audience or will this be the end of Burt and Anton in Vegas?

The performance by Steve Carell was similar to many of his past performances. I didn't feel like there was anything new, but that's not necessary a bad thing. The performances by Steve Buscemi and Olivia Wilde were well performed as supporting casts. Jim Carrey performed decently well although his character was a bit exaggerated at times.

There were a few magical surprises including a cameo by David Copperfield and the demolition of Lady Luck Casino. There was also a mention of Stardust Casino early in the movie for those of you who remember its existence from years back.

While watching the film, there were a few parts when I felt like I was actually watching a magic show. Although there was nothing spectacular about the film and its ending was somewhat expected, it was still a fun film to watch. If you love magic, this would be an entertaining film to watch. There are a number of parodies and physical comedy jokes throughout the film to keep you entertained. Overall, the film was enjoyable.

The problem with most reviews today is that people have lost their innocence and playfulness the world once new.

The days when the family would go to the cinema together and buy popcorn and coke and it was a rare treat for all seem to have been replaced with an over critical and harsh assessment of anything!! The film itself deals with a similar subject when Burt Wonderstone loses his ability to realise that to somebody, even an old trick is a new one that can bring wonderment to even the oldest audience.

Lets stop and look at the film for what it is! Its not supposed to be a drama or intense film like The Green Mile. Its a innocent throw back to the era of stage magicians when rabbits from hats would trigger gasps of amazement by crossed legged kids watching in the front row.

The introduction of a 'Criss Angelesque' character was to show the shift in social attitudes in regards to what we consider entertainment is (and jim carrey does it hysterically).

Yes the story is not meant to be compared to anything of a serious nature but does have some underlying content that should make us think a little.

Today when films like 'Kickass' and 'Jackass' seem to warrant high ratings and are viewed by kids its sad to see such a fun, innocent and laughable film getting a bad rap.

In Australia at my cinema everyone was in hysterics (and this was a late session 1/4 full).

If you liked Jerry Lewis and can still laugh ... you'll love it if you enjoyed the fun of films like back to the future ... you will love it If hearing a 13 year old girl in kickass say "Suck my &*#$" was funny to you... then you missed the boat on what funny really is.

Take a chance be amazed and let yourself laugh like no one is around... let it out and let the joy of "Burt WOnderstone" lighten you heart for just a couple of hours.

I heard for at least 9 years about THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE because when it was released back in 2013 James Gandolfini tragically died at the age of 51, and instead of being released in theaters it has been aired straight to TV in 2015 but I avoided it because of the mixed reputation it has achieved. But, last September I finally dared to sit through it and, while I didn't loved it, it had some funny moments in between that didn't made me feel guilty of watching it.

The story begins in 1982 when Albert Weinsenstein is harassed by bullies and his mom gives him a magic trick set by magician Rance Holloway for birthday. Skip a few years later and Albert (Steve Carell) has changed his name to Burt Wonderstone and attracts the attention of Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi): soon they practice magic tricks together and form a team and perform often at Bally's hotel in Las Vegas. But after a while Burt has became too overconfident and egocentric and Anton is sick of it after also having various female assistants leaving their shows. Burt and Anton casually see street magician Steve Gray's (Jim Carrey) dangerous act and they have the ispiration for closing themselves in a glass cage and hung over Las Vegas Strip, but after just a few minutes they panicky. Soon Burt falls broke and ends up working as an entertainer at an assisted living facility for former entertainers and meets Holloway (Alan Arkin), and after a while Burt and Anton patch things up and use the trick for making the audience disappear... and they succedd.

I had mixed feelings on the acting. Steve Buscemi was great as usual, but Steve Carell looked a bit too self-centered and even annoyed me in some moments. Jim Carrey, despite I am a fan, I thought that his performance was a bit too much even for his standards. Arkin, Gandolfini and the others were ok, nothing to rave about. There were some funny moments and some that fell flat, and it even looked a bit too long.

Overall, a mixed bag. It has some pros and some cons and if there was more of the pros it would have been better. As it is, it's just entertaining with a few laugh out loud moments here and there but nothing more.

This film is about two long time magician partners who perform in Las Vegas. Their show goes stale and they have to find ways to reinvent themselves.

"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" has a simple plot, which tells the standard tale of two magicians who team up from childhood, cooperate, fall out and make up. The story is too plain and predictable, and it drags on a bit long. It takes half an hour of screen time before the idea of reinvention comes up, which is too long. The friendship subplot is not so touching and affecting either. The only interesting character is Jim Carrey as an unconventional magician with disturbing acts. I am impressed by how he could turn one eye to one side and the other eye is looking ahead. Overall, "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" is a mediocre and a rather forgettable comedy.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone promised to be an inventive comedic spectacle that teams two of the funniest men alive (Steve Carrel and Jim Carrey) to provide a barrel of laughs and cash in as the spring's biggest movie. It delivers, mostly. Steve Carrel plays a lovable jerk and for the large majority he's on screen, he's pretty darn good. His partner played by Steve Buscemi also gets some good laughs as his slightly dull partner. But the star of the movie was Jim Carrey. A hilariously triumphant return to form is Carrey's psychopathic freak artist Steve Gray, who goes through some extraordinarily painful lengths in order to upstage his rival, Burt. To see him shine as this wildly demented character makes you remember why audiences adore this comedic marvel. We can only hope that this role will jump start Carrey's career back in full swing, and we see more of him in the near future. The movie as a whole works as a breezy, delightful time at the movies, but I would be a fool not to say that it has some rough patches. Some scenes lag on longer than they should have, or quite simply could have been written better. But what makes up for it is the performances, which honestly bring an odd sort of heart that you wouldn't expect from a movie like this. Nothing stops Burt Wonderstone from being a pretty darn funny movie. I can say that the lashing it received from critics was highly undeserved. Hopefully the magic of a cult following will form after the film's release.

Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) are the Steves, a successful Vegas magic act. Over the years, their act has gone stale andthey are threatened by wild newcomer Steve Gray (Jim Carrey). They struggle to maintain their top billing. More problematic, their friendship is falling apart.

Steve Carell plays a self absorbed top man. Sometimes he plays it a little too broad and too stupid. But what makes this movie for me is the lifelong friendship and Steve Buscemi's likable character. Without that, the comedy wouldn't work.

The incredible part is how you can take such an amazingly talented cast and yet still make one of the worst movies in decades. Save your money - saw it opening night first screening and both teenager and dad thought a medal was in order for actually sitting till the end. ugh. try again gang.

more details: The only characters that engendered real empathy from audience got no real depth or screen time Somehow Jim Carrey, S Carrell and J Mohr magically were transformed into non-funny entertainers (though Carrey struggled through with a couple nice fleeting seconds of what might have been) The story -incredible as in "in...credible"

The only good news is that the way they skewered a certain uber-powerful Vegas billionaire was such that I trust he may ensure this writing/directing team does not commit this type of malpractice again.

ps: postcredit snaps of audience getting abused - very very very symbolically accurate to my experience too - was that a wink/nod to what was just done?

We're too harsh on comedy titles, we want them to be perfect and epic. It is okay for comedies to be silly, stupid and out there at times. We never hold the same standard for thrillers we watch the same formula plots over and over again and still be okay with it. But with comedies oh no why did they do that , its stupid. As apposed to the 1 min hacker of pentagon in every film.

It's a genuinely funny the story of two life long friends and magicians who share a magical act and are threatened by the modern chris angelisc magician played by Jim Carrey. I cannot think of another person playing the role.

A story of a long lost love for magic dusted by fame and money over the years. Steve carrel is his awkward a bit toned down 'The Office' self trying to get back on his feet and getting a little help along the way.

A great Sunday watch with the family.

The incredible Burt Wonderstone is the journey of one man who goes through the normal comedic journey - chaos ensuing, social order out of whack - hits the low point - rebounds and boom - is back on top. It is simply a hateful movie if you think about it - but funny nonetheless. Basically the older generation and the young children (a few exceptions) love the simple magic tricks and the astonishment of these illusions. On the other hand Gray is meant to appeal to the shock and awe crowd, and does so amazingly well. Simply put - it follows the conventional stereotypes of old people hating on young people and their ways, and young people hating on old people for not adapting to the new way.

All in all the movie is funny - stupidly funny at times. Do not take anything from this movie other than the humour - if your thinking is like anyone other than James Gandolfini (RIP) in this movie, your too invested.

Bad movie alert.... The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is one of the worst movies I have seen this year. The trailers lead you be believe something completely different about the movie and it is a waste of talent. How anyone could read this script and want to be a part of this film says a lot about their lack of intelligence. Carrel and Carey completely looked like fools as no one could save the sheer ignorance that was put across. Alan Arkin was the only shining light and even his character was butchered. The movie was extremely long and the plot twist made no sense whatsoever. Needless to say the things that were done in the name of magic were impossible if not silly.