Saw The Incredible Burt Wonderstone at a preview showing this week. I was really looking forward to this one. How could you go wrong with Golden Globe winners James Gandolfini, Steve Carell & Jim Carrey as well as Oscar winner Alan Arkin? Emmy winning Director Don Scardino has dozens of TV credits to his name including 30 Rock, West Wing, Cosby Show, and 2 Broke Girls. This is his first big screen feature.
Regrettably, the talented actors and director were wasted on a largely predictable, cookie cutter script. The film's arc really played out just as if it was another TV sitcom. If you couldn't predict the next scene (or sometimes the next line) you had to be totally new to visual storytelling or weren't paying attention. It's a shame that the director didn't have the drive or vision to remold the screenplay into something more innovative.
None of this is to say that it was truly awful. It was a moderately pleasant diversion for its 100 minute runtime. The production values were high. There were a few moments with Carell and Carrey that were genuinely inspired. Jim Carrey's portrayal of shock magician Criss Angel was hilarious. The actor playing a Siegfried & Roy type magician was also a hoot.
Still, there were not enough of these moments for me to recommend the film. If it comes out on DVD soon, consider buying it. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
Regrettably, the talented actors and director were wasted on a largely predictable, cookie cutter script. The film's arc really played out just as if it was another TV sitcom. If you couldn't predict the next scene (or sometimes the next line) you had to be totally new to visual storytelling or weren't paying attention. It's a shame that the director didn't have the drive or vision to remold the screenplay into something more innovative.
None of this is to say that it was truly awful. It was a moderately pleasant diversion for its 100 minute runtime. The production values were high. There were a few moments with Carell and Carrey that were genuinely inspired. Jim Carrey's portrayal of shock magician Criss Angel was hilarious. The actor playing a Siegfried & Roy type magician was also a hoot.
Still, there were not enough of these moments for me to recommend the film. If it comes out on DVD soon, consider buying it. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.