Comedic, magical powers courtesy of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell is what levitates this dragnet, weak-written piece.

Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Vegas Strip for years, pumping in millions with illusions as big as Burt’s ego. But as of late the duo’s greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly having grown to hate each other. Facing cutthroat competition from hard-core street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), their show is starting to look old, weak and completely done! Confronted with challenges even they can’t free themselves from, Burt and Anton fend off issues in and out of their lives and take aim at one more shot at the glitz and glamour that is the Vegas throne!

With a transparent message about being careful what you wish for, and appreciating what you have, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” could have been a much better film - considering it re-teams “Bruce Almighty” antagonists Steve Carell and Jim Carrey.

Living up to their respective roles, the see-saw pace, and lack of some character/story development, keeps the film grounded for long periods of time. Uncertain idiocy by characters trying to make sense of their own objectives and other antics does give it some comedic appeal; making the movie somewhat enjoyable. The totally wishful writers Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley should have focused more on the way they successfully compiled “Horrible Bosses.”

The mocking of magicians we know in real life are easily portrayed in the film. Steve Gray’s outrageous behavior being the David Blaine, while Burt Wonderstone gives off more of a David Copperfield/Kris Angel type; blended with a little Siegfried and Roy alongside Anton with a dazzling, flamboyant look.  

Costarring Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, & James Gandolfini “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” pulls quite the disappearing act as quick as it embarks on the film’s plot. IN one moment, GONE the next, leaving wonder if in-fact you were made to believe you were actually watching a film, when you really weren’t – it’s magic. With a chuckle here, a “lol” there, then POOF, credit roll…it hurts to know a film smeared with so much talent turned out to be as lousy as the magic performed by our fathers or grandfathers!

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Grade: C / Genre: Comedy / Rated: PG-13 / Run Time: 1 Hr. 40 Min.

Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini

Directed by: Don Scardino