Criss Angel’s Supernatural — Super TerribleInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

From Robot to Magician

I?ve never seen Criss Angel live. I wanted to but my trip to New York got cancelled after my ex-agent took a stand and cost me a great job in the Big Apple. I was set to appear at the prestigious Columbia Medical School as a ?before? in their substance abuse study. She thought that was demeaning and I thought it was a paying gig that got me close enough to the city so I could see Mr. Angel?s show.

Mr. Angel?s show received a great review in the New York Post and so I figured it would be pretty good. As a character in Eddie Murphy?s Coming to America said, ?yeah, good and terrible.?

One of the biggest criticisms I have with David Blaine, other than his Messiah complex, is his use of camera trickery to perform his effects in his television specials. Well, compared to Mr. Angel, Mr. Blaine looks like Lance Burton.

Mr. Angel used the camera like a thin veil to hide virtually any moment where a sleight or move could be expected. He used a clipboard in his mentalism effect, but we never saw…

From Robot to Magician

Mr. Angel?s show received a great review in the New York Post and so I figured it would be pretty good. As a character in Eddie Murphy?s Coming to America said, ?yeah, good and terrible.?

Mr. Angel used the camera like a thin veil to hide virtually any moment where a sleight or move could be expected. He used a clipboard in his mentalism effect, but we never saw the full routine. For whatever reason, the number was written on a clipboard and then divined by Mr. Angel. Why he needed a clipboard was the only mystery in the presentation.A spider appeared inthe pocket of a woman’spants and we know only because Mr. Angel said it was so that before the camera turned on, he never touched her in any manner. I guess I’d rather see it for myself. That’s what make magic different from, say, creative writing.

There was not one effect presented without the generous use of camera angles and editing to prevent the television audience from seeing the actual effect. I know that a major monthly magic magazine sung the praises of Mr. Angel?s show and how it was filmed. I don?t want to pick a fight with the writer of that glowing review but I thought some of the weakest moments in the show were those filmed in the airplane hanger with the rejects from Cirque du Soleil.

Hot Property

His presentation of the sawing a woman (man) in two was essentially that already done by David Copperfield in both presentation and method. The camera cuts, however, made it appear even less impressive than this classic has been seen in the past. His street magic segments could have been performed by anyone with a video camera and a deck of cards. All we really saw were reactions of individuals on the streets of a major American amusement park. All we heard were the bleeped obscenities as the women and men reacted and screamed.

The street scenes demonstrated more of our ability to curse like a sailor in front of children while at an amusement park than any of Mr. Angel?s considerable skills.

That?s the frustrating thing about it. I have read and heard so many great things about Mr. Angel?s talents but I didn?t get to see any of it. It could be that he performed absolutely perfect classic forces before the camera was powered up to catch the obscene reaction of a woman in a low cut top, but we didn?t see it.

Ah, the sugar buzz is wearing off. The depression that comes with end of the sugar high is kicking in and I realize the truth. Mr. Angel wasn?t working on a show I would love. He wasn?t showcasing his material for the magicians in the audience; it was for the lay men and women. It wasn?t supposed to be a magic show; it was supposed to be a show and nothing more. But even then, I disagree with the New York Post review; I don?t think it worked as a television special either.

Check out Mr. Angel’s attack on Mr. Blaine for being a magician who has never performed a live show and Mr. Blaine’s retort here.

But then again, I could be wrong.If you disagree or agree, let me know by hitting the discussion board here.

I have to go, I think I remember where I left another Butterfinger.