Burt Wonderstone Reviews

[grinchy steve]

Share what you think after watching.

So far all the press-reviews are bad, complaining it has a very low funny-level and the story is poorly written.

So I'm curious what the JCO-members think.

[jim carrey 85]

"Burt Wonderstone brings BIG Laughs"

What!? I'am reading that the movie is fu#$ing hillarious and that will be big hit in the box office!

http://twitchfilm.com/2013/03/sxsw-2013-first-impression-the-incredible-burt-wonderstone.html

So dont be so negative, they are saying it's hillarious and IMDB rating is 7.2 which is AMAZING for COMEDY! so the movie is promising....

[grinchy steve]

I'm only talking about the actual reviews that showed up so far. It's not my vision - so don't call me the negative one. Don't blame me for being sober right now. And just wait a few weeks before involving IMDB. Box-office numbers don't tell a thing when it comes to reviews. That's not what it's about in this topic.

[Jimcarrey#1fan23]

I saw it and it was really REALLY good!! Didn't have as much Jim Carrey in it as I thought it would, but still hilarious throughout especially when he was I it though!! The people I went with said they could see the love in my eyes when he was on... HEE HEE

[Niki Mysteria]

Cool Jimcarrey#1fan23 ! I'm so looking forwards to get to see it!

[EvaAraujo]

I don't give a crap about critics.

They can't never be impartial and You can tell by the way they right the review.
I think it's a useless job cause everyone has an opinion. And that's all they are: opinions.

Also, most people you went to see it found it funny so I prefer believing in people than on the critics.

[cotton]

I saw it and I loved it! 2 thumbs up!

[EvaAraujo]

Oh man!

This is the part I hate the most... Reading people talking about how great he movie is and I can't see it yet!

[grinchy steve]

Ok, so "Burt Wonderstone" is in trouble when it comes to positive reviews and box office results. But there is one thing that makes me happy. Even in some of the most negative reviews there is a positive spark ... And that spark seems to be our beloved Jim. I would like to quote some of them to keep the spirit up.

The true comeback story in this fictional comeback story doesn't belong to a character named Burt Wonderstone, but to an actor named Jim Carrey. ,- Vulture

In this entertaining yet inconsistent movie, Carrey is the incredible one. ,- StarDemocrat

... has its share of engaging-to-great bits, including, truth to tell, one gag performed by Carrey that made me laugh louder and longer ... ,- MSN Movies

It's as if Carrey has been waiting, through a series of bland and corny showcases, to find a role that doesn't derail or divert his intensity, but embraces it. ,- San Fransisco Chronicle

Welcome back, Hilarious Jim Carrey. We've missed you. ,- Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times

...make this ensemble comedy a big disappointment. The lone highlight and saving grace is Jim Carrey. ,- MovieWeb

Jim Carrey walks off with the movie and he knows it. ,- Film Festival Today

[TNPihl]

Here is Jim Carrey Online's review:
http://www.jimcarreyonline.com/recent/news.php?id=1830



"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" Is Nothing Short Of Incredible

By Heather Turk
(Editor/Reporter)

As a Las Vegas local, I found myself questioning whether The Incredible Burt Wonderstone would work as a nationwide release back when the film was first announced. Sure it sounded hilarious, especially for someone like me who has interviewed the magicians the movie pokes fun of numerous times in the past, but I was worried that those who only occasionally visit the city may not care or even get most of the film's humor.

Judging by Burt's dismal box office receipts, I wasn't the only one who thought that the movie spoke to a narrow audience, which is a shame considering that Burt is easily the best comedy of the year.



© Warner Bros. Pictures


Though the premise is a little dated and predictable (even though the Entertainment Capital of the World is still home to some of the world's best magicians, Las Vegas is a Cirque du Soleil town now), the film is well written and packs plenty of laughs. Steve Carell plays the titular character, a Las Vegas magician who has let success go to his head. He along with his partner Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have headlined at Bally's for years, but the crowds are starting to dwindle. Times are changing, but Burt and Anton's dated routine, unfortunately, has not.

Enter Steve Gray, a street magician who's part Criss Angel, part David Blaine. Performing for crowds on downtown Las Vegas' Fremont Street Experience (and later televising the bits on his hit TV series "Brain Rapist"), Gray is the future of magic, performing such unbelievable "feats" as holding his urine for 12 days and sleeping on hot coals. Burt thinks he's a joke, but the crowds love him...and the owner of Bally's (James Gandolfini) is beginning to question whether or not he's just found his newest headliner.

Anton comes up with the idea to stage a daring stunt of their own to save their cushy Vegas gig, but Burt's selfish ways result in the longtime partners calling it quits. Without Anton by his side (think Siegfried without Roy), Burt is reduced to performing in an old folk's home for retired Vegas performers. What looks like the end of Burt's career, though, soon becomes something more, as Burt discovers the man who first inspired him to become a magician residing at the retirement home: magician Rance Holloway (played by the always wonderful Alan Arkin). Rance tries to help Burt rekindle the passion he once had for magic, but is it too little, too late?



© Warner Bros. Pictures


While Steve Carell may be the star of The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, it's Jim Carrey who steals the spotlight. His over-eccentric magician is pure perfection, and though his time on-screen is limited, audiences will find themselves counting down the minutes 'til his next hilarious appearance. Carrey hasn't been this great on-screen in a long time, and second to Ace Ventura, Steve Gray just may be the character Carrey was born to play.

Not that Carell doesn't shine as Burt Wonderstone. The scene where he tries to do his longtime act without Anton by his side is pure movie magic, but if there's only one incredible performance in Burt Wonderstone, Carrey's is it.

Buscemi also dazzles as the lovable Anton, and the brief list of cameo appearances is like a who's who of Las Vegas. Really, the only downside to Burt Wonderstone is Olivia Wilde's character Jane, the reluctant magician's assistant-turned-love interest. While Wilde does the best with what she's given, there's just no chemistry between her and Burt, and their relationship seems forced and cliché. When it's later revealed that she too is an aspiring magician, audiences can't help but roll their eyes. The real chemistry on-screen is between Burt and Anton and Burt and Steve, and Burt is at its best when it leaves the sparks to its three male leads.

While there are some insider jokes that may go over the average audience member's head (like a scene involving the Lady Luck casino), for the most part, screenwriters Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis Daley (Horrible Bosses) do a good job at keeping the jokes broad enough that even those who live outside of Las Vegas will get them. Still, the film is probably funniest for those who do live in Sin City or at least visit often, which may be its downfall.

Ultimately, it looks like The Incredible Burt Wonderstone's biggest trick may be the disappearing act it's about to do in theaters if people don't start seeing it, which is a shame considering the film is one of the best of both Carrey and Carell's careers. Do yourself a favor and skip Oz for Wonderstone-you won't be disappointed.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is now playing in theaters everywhere.

[JimCrazy]

Well. Movie is very funny!! But they could have extended the movie a bit, by including more Jim and steve scenes (together). Since I've been watching all the trailers and clips, I d'int have any surprise element in the movie.

[EvaAraujo]

That's what puts a smile on my face...
Knowing that Jim with his divine Spark is the best part of the movie.

[fluffy]

Ok, so i finally saw it tonight.............and forgive me folks but Jim totally outclassed what is otherwise a lacklustre film.......i get the pastiche element yada yada but the film was low on jokes, poorly written and i thought Olivia, despite being beautiful etc was wrongly cast.....Jim was the best element of the film (and i'm not just being biased because he's absolutely smokin in the film )....
seriously Jim, you are way better than that film......i can understand why it's struggling at the box office, it's going off after only a week here......

[Canadian Jayne]

Saw it this week
I did pass Oz up for Burt
I can see Baby Boomers seeing this
Every scene Jim was in was unique,surprising,
even grewsome(for those who like the ewwww effect)

All cast was
excellent
Today's fast pace for those under 40
is probably the Oz group

Burt is real, has great twists,
Loved the teeth
who would a thought,
great idea!

[fluffy]

Oz is bombing here too...... it seems the only movies that seem to be doing well are the animations for kids........and what's with all the fairytale mutations?....snow white and the 7 giant slayers etc??.......Why ruin them and turn them into slasher flicks?....