Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • March 27, 2013 New film spoofs the world of professional magicians by Dennis Seuling “The Incredible World of Burt Wonderstone” is a mildly amusing send-up of the world of professional magic. Steve Carell plays the movie’s title role, Steve Buscemi is his partner Anton Marvelton, and Jim Carrey is a Criss Angel/ David Blaine hybrid: Steve Gray. Burt and Anton have been friends since childhood, sharing their fascination with a store-bought magic kit, improving on its simple tricks, and turning their infatuation with magic into a lucrative career as professional magicians in a Las Vegas extravaganza featuring enormous illusions that would make David Copperfield smile. Time and repetition have taken their toll on the relationship, and Burt and Anton have come to hate each other. Burt has become a diva, demeaning everyone around him. In addition, their shows have not been pulling in the bucks lately, and casino owner Doug Munny (James Gandolfini) gives them an ultimatum: Freshen up the act or get canned. Soon after, the two see Steve performing one of his amazing stunts for his cable TV show. Though Steve does not look like a magician, sound like one, or even perform what they consider real magic -- favoring instead gruesome stunts of self-abuse that both fascinate and horrify -- he draws an enormous audience. Burt and Anton are determined to give the audience what it wants. This movie is a wasted opportunity. The premise is Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, and Jim Carrey star in ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.’ interesting and the prologue promises a very funny movie, but director Don Scardino and a flaccid script never exploit the potential of the plot and characters or the talents of the cast. Carell plays a variation of the nerdy goofball he has spent years refining in such pictures as “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Dinner for Schmucks,” and on TV’s “The Office” as the clueless Michael Scott. The problem is that the jokes are few and far between. The audience at an opening day showing was unusually laugh-challenged. Clearly Carell can be funny, if given the opportunity, but is hampered here at practically every turn by weak writing. It is fun to see Buscemi, on hiatus from his “Boardwalk Empire” Nucky Thompson role, as the likable sidekick schnook to Carell’s Burt. Easygoing and content to go with the flow, he has avoided the egomania his partner has developed. There is some chemistry between Carell and Buscemi but, like the rest of the film, it is forced and barely comes through. The most perplexing ingredient of this effort is Carrey. He mugs constantly, but his assorted stunts, such as sleeping on hot coals or cutting his face to remove a playing card, induce squirms. His Steve has a madman’s eyes, and perhaps that is the point. No normal person would even think of attempting such dangerous stunts. Given the right part and a decent script, Carrey can soar, but mired in this muddy attempt at a rollicking good time, he cannot surmount the lame material. The one redeeming aspect of the movie is Alan Arkin. Viewers see him in the beginning of the film as Rance Holloway, the TV magician who inspired Burt and Anton, and he pops up later as a dyspeptic resident of a retirement home. Though Arkin has played a variation of the grouchy old codger in practically every film since “Little Miss Sunshine,” he still gets mileage out of it, and he brightens the film whenever he appears. Sadly, he does not appear that often. Olivia White adds a nice touch of romance as Jane, who loves magic and becomes a reluctant assistant in Burt and Anton’s Vegas show, but has loftier career aspirations. A budding romance between Burt and Jane helps normalize the character of Burt and allow viewers to see him as a real person rather than a caricature, and it is White’s portrayal that brings out his humanity and vulnerability. Rated PG-13, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” is neither incredible nor wonderful. Those who have any interest in this film might wait to see it on either Pay-Per-View or DVD.