The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

I have never been to a magic show, not even seen a whole Joe Labero show on tv. I know, he is a legend magician, but i suppose i have never really been interested in magic tricks. Magicians have a way to especially get kids belive in miracles, and i that sense i think it´s great they still exist. Maybe they are needed in a world full of misery and sadness, to at least give some hope. So what would you say, if the director of 30 Rock tv series, came out with a comedy filled with magicians, with the most gay outfits you have ever seen ? Sounds like a promising concept. But the question is, with a great cast and a fun idea, does The Incredible Burt Wonderstone give enough laughs, or would this work much better in a tv special ?

1982. A young boy named Albert is a bully victim. On his birthday his mother gives Albert a magic trick set by legendary magician Rance Holloway ( Alan Arkin ). While Albert is trying to learn to do magic tricks, his class mate Anthony becomes interested in learning magic tricks. As the boys become better at magic tricks, and grow up, they are so good they get their own headlining act at the Bally´s Casino in Las Vegas. Their real names have been changed to Burt Wonderstone ( Steve Carell ) and Anton Marvelton ( Steve Buscemi ). 10 years later, after running the same show, Anton is fed up with Burt´s ego. Anton decide that a change is needed and put the production assistant Jane ( Olivia Wilde ), as the new magic assistant Nicole. To get the audience back, and to keep the show going. While watching street magician Steve Gray ( Jim Carrey ), he does a very special card trick for his Tv show Brain Rapist, Anton have an idea. Their own show needs a big number, so the audience comes back. Burt does not agree, he feels they can still deliver a solid show without help, but is that really true ?

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone have had a lot of negative critisim, and it is easy to see why. The comedic moments are not strong enough to make the characters shine brighter. There are good ideas here, unfortunately they don´t match all the way. But i have something to say. If you are looking for a comedy with silly characters, with a gay hair style, that Boy George would fall in love with, then you have found the right place. There are some scenes where you simply enjoy the silly moments, just because of the comedic timing of Steve Carell ( even if this is not one of his best performances ). The magic tricks are not that impressive, what i mostly like are the silly characters, almost like they are a version of Sigfrid & Roy, remember those guys ? Director Don Scardino should have worked deeper on the comedy scenes, but i like his ideas. In the end The Incredible Burt Wonderstore entertains for the moment, and you at least get a fun night. The recently deceased James Gandolfini can be seen here, as Doug Munny, the owner of Bally´s Casino. And check out Jim Carrey´s hair, does it not remind me you of Jesus ? I guess he still feels like Bruce Almighty.

Rating: DDD