The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two magician buddies who hate each other compete with a self-mutilating street performer for a Vegas gig, but only one can pull off the greatest trick of all: not being boring.

🍿 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Childhood Dreams of Magic

The film introduces Albert Wenzlestein, a bullied child who finds solace in a Rance Holloway magic kit. He befriends Anthony Mertz, another outcast, and they bond over magic. Together, they dream of becoming famous magicians, foreshadowing their future as Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton.

Vegas Headliners

Decades later, Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton are headlining a magic show at Bally’s in Las Vegas. Their act has become stale, and Burt’s ego has grown out of control. He mistreats his assistants and relies on the same old routines, much to Anton’s dismay. Their long-time friendship is strained by Burt’s arrogance and lack of innovation.

The Rise of Steve Gray

A street magician named Steve Gray challenges their Vegas dominance with his shocking and dangerous stunts. Gray’s popularity explodes, drawing audiences away from Burt and Anton’s traditional magic show. Gray’s performance style relies on self-inflicted pain and bizarre acts, representing a new wave of entertainment that contrasts sharply with Burt and Anton’s classic approach.

The Hot Box Disaster and Fallout

Desperate to compete, Burt and Anton attempt a dangerous stunt called the ‘Hot Box,’ where they lock themselves in a plastic box under the Vegas sun. Burt’s lack of preparation and overconfidence lead to disaster, injuring Anton. This incident marks the end of their partnership, and Burt finds himself broke and without a show.

Finding Magic Again

Burt takes a job at an assisted living facility where he meets his childhood idol, Rance Holloway. Holloway inspires Burt to reconnect with his love for magic and rediscover the joy of performing. Meanwhile, Burt witnesses Jane, his former assistant, working for Steve Gray and becoming disillusioned with Gray’s extreme act.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell): A narcissistic Vegas magician who must rediscover his passion for magic to revive his career.
• Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi): Burt’s long-suffering magic partner who seeks fulfillment beyond their stale act.
• Steve Gray (Jim Carrey): A shock-value street magician whose outrageous stunts threaten Burt’s traditional act.
• Jane (Olivia Wilde): An aspiring magician and assistant who helps Burt rediscover his love for magic.
• Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin): Burt’s childhood idol and a retired magician who inspires him to reconnect with his roots.
• Doug Munny (James Gandolfini): The casino owner who gives Burt a chance to reclaim his headlining act.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Burt Wonderstone: “I’m incredible.” – Burt often says this to hype himself up, showcasing his inflated ego and self-confidence.
• Steve Gray: “I’m a brain rapist!” – Steve Gray proclaims this to shock and disgust, highlighting his extreme and edgy brand of magic.
• Rance Holloway: “Who doesn’t like magic and be in awe?” – Holloway says this when sharing his wisdom with Burt, reminding him of the universal appeal of magic.
• Burt Wonderstone: “You can’t put a price on wonder.” – Burt says this when reflecting on what really matters, highlighting the emotional value of what he does.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,537,881
• Worldwide Gross: $27,437,881

💥 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a laugh riot, and while it had its moments, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Jim Carrey’s performance was the highlight for me, his over-the-top character was hilarious! There’s a scene where he lays on a bed of hot coal, and my face hurt from laughing so much! The magic tricks were fun to watch, but I wish there had been more heart in the story. Overall, it’s a decent watch if you’re in the mood for some lighthearted fun.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Steve Carell and Jim Carrey”
  • “People who enjoy spoofs of the Las Vegas entertainment industry”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted comedy about friendship and rediscovering passion”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Sexual references”
  • “Some disturbing images (self-harm stunts)”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “The film boasts a talented cast, but the script fails to deliver consistent laughs. While Carrey’s outrageous stunts provide some shock value, the overall story lacks depth and emotional resonance.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite a promising premise and a stellar cast, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone struggles to find its comedic footing. The humor is often forced, and the characters lack genuine connection.
• RogerEbert.com: “This movie is not a great movie, but it’s entertaining. Performances are solid but script lacks true magic. Jim Carrey is a saving grace.

Audience Reactions

Jim Carrey’s character stole the show with his outrageous stunts.: Many viewers found Jim Carrey’s performance as Steve Gray to be the most memorable and humorous aspect of the movie.

A lighthearted comedy is perfect for a family movie night.: Some found the movie to be fairly predictable and silly but fun to watch.

Overall Consensus: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is a mixed bag. While it offers moments of genuine humor, particularly from Jim Carrey, the overall story and script fall short of delivering a truly magical experience. It’s a decent, lighthearted comedy but don’t expect any serious plot twists.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “David Copperfield acted as a consultant on the film, ensuring the magic tricks were authentic and impressive. He even made a cameo appearance.”
• “Jim Carrey’s character, Steve Gray, is a parody of performance artists and illusionists like Criss Angel and David Blaine, known for their extreme stunts.”
• “The film features the demolition of the Lady Luck Casino in Las Vegas, adding a real-life element of Vegas history to the movie’s backdrop.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Incredible Burt Wonderstone?

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check local listings for TV broadcasts. Digital purchase provides the most flexibility for repeated viewings, while rental might be ideal for a one-time watch. Check your preferred platform for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, you might like these similar films:

• The Prestige (2006): Features rival magicians in a cutthroat competition, exploring the darker side of illusion and ambition.
• Death to Smoochy (2002): Dark comedy about the cutthroat world of children’s television, with a similar theme of replacing an established star with a new, edgier act.
• Blades of Glory (2007): Another comedy featuring a competitive arena where over-the-top characters clash, focusing on the absurdity of the situation.
• Now You See Me (2013): A more serious take on magic and illusion, focusing on a group of illusionists who pull off elaborate heists.

🛒 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Related Products

• The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Perfect for fans looking to decorate their space with a touch of Vegas magic.
• The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (Blu-ray): The Blu-ray version of the movie. Includes a bonus feature of behind-the-scenes of magic tricks.
• Magic Tricks for Beginners Kit: A comprehensive magic kit designed for beginners. Inspired by the movie, this kit allows aspiring magicians to learn and perform their own illusions.
• Funko POP Movies: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone – Burt Wonderstone Figurine: A Funko POP figurine of Burt Wonderstone. Collect and display for all to see.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” – performed by Judas Priest

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Penn Jillette (Penn & Teller) Reviews Magic Tricks from Movies & TV | Vanity Fair

Ever wonder how realistic those movie magic tricks really are? Penn Jillette from Penn & Teller breaks down iconic illusions from films, and his insights are surprisingly fascinating. You’ll never look at movie magic the same way again!

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone | Clash of the Magicians | ClipZone: Comedy Callbacks

Remember that awkward moment when Burt and Anton’s old-school magic got totally upstaged? This clip perfectly captures the clash between their style and Jim Carrey’s wild antics! It’s comedy gold and sets up the whole movie’s premise.

On Cinema (S2, Ep. 206): ‘Carrie’ and ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’

Want a slightly quirky take on ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’? The On Cinema crew dives into the movie, and you know their opinions are always…interesting. It’s a fun, different way to look at the film!

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