The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (DVD REVIEW)

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Carrey and Carell Co-Star as Adversaries in Vegas Magic Act Comedy

            Back in 2003, Jim Carrey was upstaged as the title character of Bruce Almighty by a scene-stealing Steve Carell as motor-mouthed, TV newscaster Evan Baxter. Consequently, Carrey wasn’t even around for the sequel, Evan Almighty, a spinoff which completely revolved around Carell’s expanded role.

            Well, turnabout is fair play, and a decade later we find his titular performance overshadowed here by an inspired one on the part of a rejuvenated Carrey in an adventure about magicians attempting to outdo each other in an escalating game of one-upmanship.

            Directed by Don Scardino, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone features a stellar supporting cast including the late James Gandolfini. Also aboard are Alan Arkin, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Brad Garrett, Jay Mohr, as well as the legendary David Copperfield, CNN’s Erin Burnett and MSNBC’s Richard Wolffe in amusing cameo appearances.

            The picture’s engaging premise is fairly easy to follow. Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Buscemi) have been doing magic tricks together since childhood, when they first teamed up to entertain their classmates. After thirty years, the dynamic duo is raking in millions at Bally’s in Las Vegas where they share top billing on the marquee as “Burt & Anton: A Magical Friendship.”

            Truth be told, they’ve come to despise each other, primarily because of Burt’s massive ego.           As a result, the pair’s act has grown stale, giving street performer Steve Gray (Carrey) a chance to steal a little of their thunder via bizarre stunts like not blinking and not urinating for days on end.

            When the newcomer captures the public’s imagination, attendance at Burt and Anton’s shows declines, and it’s not long before they feel the pressure to match Gray in outrageousness. But after Anton breaks his ankles and ribs during their first dangerous stunt, Burt is forced to go mano-a-mano against Gray solo.

            More than magic, the ensuing competition contrasts Carrey’s over-the-top antics with Carell’s relatively-droll, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, with the former’s sight gags bowling me over way more than the latter’s dry wit. A battle of comedy styles won this go-round by the rambunctious, rubber-faced funnyman run-a-muck!   

Excellent (3.5 stars)

Rated PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, dangerous stunts and a drug-related incident.

Running time: 100 minutes

Distributor: Warner Home Video

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Extras: Steve Gray Uncut; gag reel; deleted scene; alternate takes; and Making Movie Magic with David Copperfield.

To see a trailer for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, visit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11TzXCWnUao