The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

A critical and financial flop, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone had potential but, just couldn't deliver the laughs. Released in 2013 and starring a decent cast of Steve Carell, Olivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi, and Jim Carrey it would go on to only make about $27million off of a $30million budget and currently holds a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The films plot is about two friends-turned-magicians, Burt Wonderstone (played by Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (played by Steve Buscemi). After ten years of performing the same act in Las Vegas, Burt and Anton's friendship has become strained and the act has gotten stale. Matters are only made worst by the fact that there is a new, hot, magic act on the scene. Jim Carrey plays a street-magician named Steve Gray, a character obviously inspired by guys like Chris Angel and David Blaine. Gray's tricks are meant to be shocking and gross and gritty as opposed the Vegas glitz and glamour of the Wonderstone act. With this fame and attention that Gray is receiving, Burt and Anton decide to try their own stunt-trick called "The Hot Box". The trick would involve the two me being locked in a class box, lifted up by a crane, and left to sit in the hot Vegas sun for a week. Of course, the whole thing goes horribly wrong and this leads to Anton leaving the partnership. Humiliated, out of money, and with his longtime partner gone, Burt needs to rediscover why he fell in love with magic to begin with and hopefully revive his career. 

Despite a few moderately funny moments, this film plays it way too safe. Carell is a decent actor (I like The Way, Way Back which he was in and that came out the same year) but, I've always thought his comedy was kind of bland. The movie is competently made and certainly not unwatchable. However, the story and the comedy just didn't work well enough for me to give this one a recommendation.
1.5 out of 5