Trailer Tuesday: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

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Despite the fact that women are typically depicted as catty and competitive, there are dozens if not hundreds of films depicting a clash of male egos in fields as diverse as classical music composition, motor racing, professional figure skating and... magic. Yes, we've already had The Prestige - one of my all-time favourite films - but here's a more comical take on feuding illusionists. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone brings together some serious names in big screen comedy.

Steve Carell stars as the title character, a Las Vegas magician who has been entertaining the crowds with his partner Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) for 30 years. Their high-glam, Siegfried and Roy-style act has grown as stale as their friendship, however, and they're laughing stocks in comparison to unpredictable street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey) - no doubt modelled on Criss Angel and David Blaine. Somehow Burt must find an illusion to top Gray, and rediscover his original love for magic. Rounding out the cast meanwhile are Olivia Wilde (ah, my funny-sexy girl crush!), Alan Arkin and James Gandolfini.


Admittedly, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone doesn't look fall-down hilarious in its trailer but with Bruce Almighty and, uh, Horton Hears a Who!, co-stars Carell and Carrey facing off, I think it will still be good for laugh. Here's hoping that, in true illusionist style, the film makers have kept the best tricks up their sleeve to surprise cinema audiences.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone opens in the US on 15 March. The film's South African release date is currently unknown.


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