The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" embarks on its high-definition journey with a 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that strives for magic but finds itself caught in a rabbit's hat of variances. Drawing from 1970s-esque 35mm photography, the video presentation showcases an eclectic palette that plays heavily into the film’s thematic contrasts: vibrant and gaudy during stage performances, subdued and dreary in darker moments, with off-stage scenes often bathed in overly bright, washed-out tones. This deliberate choice adds a layer of authenticity to the visual narrative, even if it introduces issues with fleshtones swinging from bleached to oversaturated and shadows falling prey to crush, muddling the darker scenes.

Clarity and definition predominantly shine through, thanks to the Blu-ray’s meticulous attention to fine detail—Burt's sequin-adorned velvet suit being a standout, sparkling in the spotlight while revealing each minuscule detail. Textural fidelity is evident, from the absurdity of hairdos down to the minutiae of facial imperfections captured in lifelike quality. However, the transfer is not without its shortcomings; occasional softness and lackluster clarity mark its inconsistency, slightly dimming its luster with moments of lesser definition and visible noise in lower-lit scenes. Despite these hiccups, the image retains its crisp edge definition and mostly satisfactory grain structure.

Contrast strikes a harmonious balance, bolstering the presentation with rich vibrancy and ensuring that even in its less stellar moments, the image never loses its punch. Blacks prove deep and faithful, aiding in creating depth and adding a layer of visual appeal that enriches both the flamboyant and the somber shades of the film’s narrative palette. While not devoid of minor flaws—such as nominal artifacting—the overall video transfer delivers a commendably stable and pleasing viewing experience, embodying a performance that, despite a few missed cues, largely manages to capture the spectacle and humor of Burt Wonderstone's magical world.

The audio presentation of "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" on Blu Ray, featuring the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, falls into a rather middling category. It manifests a predominantly front-heavy sound design, which, while ensuring that the dialogue remains crisp and easily intelligible, results in a largely underwhelming auditory experience. The sound effects are adequately bright, and there's a commendable clarity across the board, yet the dynamics present a lukewarm endeavor at best. The low-end frequencies exhibit a certain hesitance, leaving much to be desired in terms of depth and impact. Despite the clean channel separation and some skillful panning that contributes to a broader soundstage, the overall sonic landscape feels constrained and wanting in vivacity.

Notably, the use of the LFE channel is conspicuously restrained, which detracts from moments that should punch with more weight, especially given the movie’s flamboyant Las Vegas setting that promises more bombastic soundscapes. The rear speakers seem to contribute minimally, missing opportunities to envelop the listener in a more immersive audio environment. While there are glimpses of engaging directional effects during the larger auditorium sequences, designed to amplify the illusion of spectacle, these instances are too sparse to elevate the overall auditory presentation significantly.

Furthermore, despite a certain balance in audio elements—with well-prioritized dialogue and no glaring prioritization issues—the soundtrack's lack of dynamism and range renders it somewhat flat. The subdued low bass, reserved mostly for the music, and the surprising underutilization of surround channels for ambient expansion or even for the music's breadth, underscore a presentation that, while competent, hardly ventures beyond the basics. This leads to an experience that is technically adequate but falls short of capturing the vibrancy and energy associated with its cinematic theme.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" offer a mixed bag that, while not overwhelmingly extensive, provide enough substance to interest fans of the film. The standout feature, "Deleted Scenes and Alternate Takes," presents a substantial 26-minute compilation that, despite offering more in the way of slight alterations and improvisations rather than completely unseen segments, gives fans a deeper look into the cutting room floor decisions. "Making Movie Magic with David Copperfield" not only bridges the gap between film illusion and real-world magic but also offers insight into Copperfield's involvement both on-screen and behind the scenes, adding an authentic touch to the film's depiction of magic. "Steve Gray Uncut" provides a humorous insight into Jim Carrey's method acting, offering laughs that rival the film's own. The "Gag Reel," surprisingly, proves to be a hidden gem, providing more consistent humor than the feature film itself, showcasing the cast's chemistry and comedic timing.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes and Alternate Takes: A collection of deleted content.

• Making Movie Magic with David Copperfield: David Copperfield discusses the integration of movie and stage magic.

• Steve Gray Uncut: An extended look at Jim Carrey's character.

• Gag Reel: A hilarious compilation of outtakes.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," despite boasting an assemblage of Hollywood talent, including Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, and Steve Buscemi, along with Alan Arkin and Olivia Wilde, unfortunately squanders its potential in a sleight of missed opportunities. Set against the glitzy backdrop of Las Vegas, the film aims to weave a narrative around aging magic duo Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Buscemi), whose fraternal bonds fray amidst the emergence of a masochistic street magician, Steve Gray (Carrey). This premise, ripe with comedic and dramatic possibilities, ultimately succumbs to a lackluster script that fails to infuse the narrative with the necessary wit or charm to elevate its characters beyond caricature. Furthermore, the film's sporadic humor and unimaginative plot fail to captivate, rendering what could have been a spellbinding critique of the clash between tradition and modernity in the realm of illusion merely pedestrian.

At the heart of the film's shortcomings is Carell's portrayal of Wonderstone, a character designed to be as grandiloquently obnoxious as his Vegas showman wardrobe. Ironically, Carell's effectiveness in this role alienates rather than endears, leaving audiences struggling to find a reason to root for his redemption. The supporting cast, albeit talented, is underutilized, with Wilde's character notably sidelined in a narrative that often feels more like a series of disconnected sketches than a coherent whole. The inclusion of Jim Carrey's over-the-top portrayal of Steve Gray provides transient comedic relief but quickly devolves into repetition without substantive development.

Technically, the film's production values present a missed opportunity to capitalize on the inherently visual medium of magic. Rather than dazzling the audience with ingenious magic tricks or cleverly staged illusions, the film opts for a straightforward presentation that lacks the vibrancy or inventiveness one might expect from a cinematic homage to the art of illusion. This oversight underscores the film's broader struggles with tone and pacing, contributing to a viewing experience that, while occasionally entertaining, leaves much of its potential unrealized. In sum, "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" struggles to find the magic in its own material, resulting in a film that entertains in moments but largely fails to capture either the wonder of its subject matter or the imaginations of its audience.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" Blu-ray had the makings of a timeless classic, leveraging a star-studded cast including Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, and Alan Arkin. Unfortunately, despite the potential for comedic brilliance and the allure of Vegas magic, the film underwhelms, failing to leverage its considerable talents to deliver a memorable experience. The Blu-ray presentation mirrors the film's reception - a mixed bag with moments of clarity but ultimately lacking in the expected dazzle. The video quality shines as the collection's standout feature, boasting a good transfer that highlights the visual aspects of the film's Vegas setting. However, the audio track, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, leaves room for improvement, delivering a decent but somewhat flat auditory experience that fails to immerse the viewer fully.

The supplemental materials included with the Blu-ray do little to elevate the overall package. With a sparse selection of extras that fail to delve deeply into the film's creation or the magic that inspired it, enthusiasts and fans looking for behind-the-scenes magic will likely be disappointed. This lack of substantial additional content, alongside an audio presentation that doesn't live up to expectations, positions "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" Blu-ray as a product that, much like its cinematic counterpart, doesn't quite fulfill its potential.

In conclusion, while "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" Blu-ray boasts solid video quality, it is let down by its underwhelming audio track and a disappointing array of supplementary content. This release might cater to fans who enjoyed the film or collectors aiming to complete their libraries but falls short of becoming a must-have. It serves as a stark reminder of what could have been, not only for the film itself but for its physical release. As such, it might best be considered a rental rather than a cornerstone of a Blu-ray collection.