“The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” has a nice story. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what it is: a nice story. Funny, not hilarious. Heartwarming but predictable.
Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton (Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi) have gone as far as they can go in the magic business, entertaining the biggest audiences on the brightest stages in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, when their repetitiveness and new street entertainer Steve Grey (Jim Carrey) put the duo’s act to shame, Wonderstone and his enormous ego are left embarrassed and jobless. With some help from faithful assistant Jane (Olivia Wilde) and his childhood hero, Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin), Wonderstone rediscovers the love for magic he had as a child, and he and Marvelton take back their status as the world’s greatest magicians.
As soon as the film begins with young, magic-loving Wonderstone being abused by the neighborhood bullies, you realize that you will be able to guess each new plot progression before it happens. The rest of the movie will prove you right. Also, Steve Carell is far from his best. He gets some good laughs, but if you’re getting psyched for an “Anchorman” performance or Michael Scott at his comedic height, don’t bother disappointing yourself.
Fortunately, Jim Carrey saves the whole thing. As Steve Grey, the “Brain Rapist,” Carrey is the long-haired street weirdo whose “magic” involves little more than inflicting insane amounts of pain on himself. Again, this is a “street weirdo,” so naturally Carrey is perfect for the role and inspires tons of laughs with crazy stunts like spending the night on hot coals.
There’s nothing wonderful about “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.” At the same time, there’s definitely nothing bad about a fun story and a few good laughs.