The first time I saw this show, I said "wow, this guy is amazing." Then I realized that anyone with a video camera can do magic tricks. Don't get me wrong, this show is worth watching for the entertainment factor. Just remember that nobody can defy the laws of gravity, no matter how convincing he is. I would like to go see one of his shows live. He seems like a very good entertainer. However, when he says that he will leave something in one spot and then the camera cuts to a different angle, it makes you wonder if they touched anything. The reactions from the spectators often seem authentic, but for all we know they could be straight out of acting school. They all seem to be the same age. Plus the show is filmed in Vegas so who knows what kind of people they have there.
21 Reviews
Goth magic hoopla
mdpomroy20 March 2007
There was a time when the only reality show on television was the news, and the rest of the schedule was full of fiction. Now it seems there's little but 'reality ' on the box, while conversely some of the most entertaining and comical fiction is on Fox News. The edges have become very blurred and Criss Angel Mindfreak does little to clarify things.
It's billed as a reality show about a magician, who's also a member of a heavy metal band. It also showcases his music, live street magic, some behind-the-curtain preparation and his family life. Part Marilyn Manson, part David Blaine with a touch of Alan Partridge, we follow Angel around as he spouts mystical nonsense, including this gem: 'A lot of what I do is completely real. There are no tricks. It really is the mind, body, and spirit connection. And a lot of what I do is an illusion. It's up to you to determine what is real and what is... illusion.' As well as talking like a tipsy teenage goth at a Ouija board party, he does some impressive tricks and stunts. These include levitation, setting himself on fire to 'honour' his mother on her 70th birthday and lying on a bed of nails as a Hummer drives over him. If you like magic tricks and the colour black, this show should entertain.
He may well look and talk like the sort of person you'd never get tired of punching, but as tricksters go he's one of the best. The Academy of Magical Arts at Hollywood's Magic Castle a place so pretentious it's powered entirely by the magicians' sense of self-importance named him 2005 Magician of the Year. Angel is so confident in his abilities, he once publicly challenged magic's other infant terrible David Blaine, saying if Blaine could perform a trick that he couldn't replicate on the spot then he would retire. Somewhat tellingly, Blaine never took up the challenge, although to be fair, Criss is yet to live in a box for 40 days and be abused by Londoners.
Most of the tricks have been done before by the likes of Penn & Teller (who are friends of Criss) but all the same, some of these stunts are really great fun. That is, unless you watched one of those 'magician's tricks revealed' series and you'll know how a lot of them were done. For those who didn't peek behind the curtain, this won't freak your mind as the title promises, but it will set it off thinking about how he did it. And these days, a TV programme that makes you think is a rare trick indeed.
It's billed as a reality show about a magician, who's also a member of a heavy metal band. It also showcases his music, live street magic, some behind-the-curtain preparation and his family life. Part Marilyn Manson, part David Blaine with a touch of Alan Partridge, we follow Angel around as he spouts mystical nonsense, including this gem: 'A lot of what I do is completely real. There are no tricks. It really is the mind, body, and spirit connection. And a lot of what I do is an illusion. It's up to you to determine what is real and what is... illusion.' As well as talking like a tipsy teenage goth at a Ouija board party, he does some impressive tricks and stunts. These include levitation, setting himself on fire to 'honour' his mother on her 70th birthday and lying on a bed of nails as a Hummer drives over him. If you like magic tricks and the colour black, this show should entertain.
He may well look and talk like the sort of person you'd never get tired of punching, but as tricksters go he's one of the best. The Academy of Magical Arts at Hollywood's Magic Castle a place so pretentious it's powered entirely by the magicians' sense of self-importance named him 2005 Magician of the Year. Angel is so confident in his abilities, he once publicly challenged magic's other infant terrible David Blaine, saying if Blaine could perform a trick that he couldn't replicate on the spot then he would retire. Somewhat tellingly, Blaine never took up the challenge, although to be fair, Criss is yet to live in a box for 40 days and be abused by Londoners.
Most of the tricks have been done before by the likes of Penn & Teller (who are friends of Criss) but all the same, some of these stunts are really great fun. That is, unless you watched one of those 'magician's tricks revealed' series and you'll know how a lot of them were done. For those who didn't peek behind the curtain, this won't freak your mind as the title promises, but it will set it off thinking about how he did it. And these days, a TV programme that makes you think is a rare trick indeed.
Fake? Yes!... Entertaining? Hell Yes!
iTZi113 July 2008
i see all these posts about it being fake and all and how Criss sucks for deceiving us..
well of course it's fake, and criss never said he was "magic" he said he was an illusionist.. which means he creates and illusion of magic, and you're left trying to figure out how he "faked" it..
and he does it in the most entertaining way...
The setups, the stunts, everything... all stuff that has never been "faked" before, at least not in the fashion Criss does it, and even though i know what he's about to do and that there's an episode after the one i'm watching, i still get a funny feeling whenever Criss is lying on a bed of nails or setting himself on fire etc.
He creates both real suspense and great illusion, which amazes me quite a bit.
well of course it's fake, and criss never said he was "magic" he said he was an illusionist.. which means he creates and illusion of magic, and you're left trying to figure out how he "faked" it..
and he does it in the most entertaining way...
The setups, the stunts, everything... all stuff that has never been "faked" before, at least not in the fashion Criss does it, and even though i know what he's about to do and that there's an episode after the one i'm watching, i still get a funny feeling whenever Criss is lying on a bed of nails or setting himself on fire etc.
He creates both real suspense and great illusion, which amazes me quite a bit.
Amazing Magic
hip_hop_ny10 August 2005
Criss Angel is an amazing magician. He does unbelievable things- stunts that risk his life and can cause death. He can make things appear out of no where(for example when he goes around asking people to remove their hats and hold it above their head and then asks them "what is your biggest fear" the next thing you know they see their biggest fer right in their hat (for ex. a real big spider) He also does other amazing and mind blowing tricks. Other tricks that he preforms are having people sit on a chair and having the room a little dark with a lamp (i guess) because there was a shadow there......and he has two ladies sitting on the chairs then what he does is he never touches the women NEVER he only touched the shadow( taped it three times) and the women actually felt the three taps. He also does many many other tricks.....
Don't overlook the most magical part!
carsonferguson30 June 2018
The most magical thing about this show is that anyone takes it serious. The tricks aren't interesting, the acting is terrible, and the so called "reality" part of it is so silly. It's all so overly dramatic. Watch Angel and his nerdy minions create; overly dramatic spectacles and half baked, childish, schemes.
Truly cringe worthy.
A good program - and best of its kind
caa82122 December 2006
I'm no expert on the subject of "magic," but I believe the term "smoke and mirrors" goes back to the 1800's and perhaps a lot farther.
If you watch, say, David Copperfield, whether live or on television special (I've seen him in both), there still is a lot of "smoke," undoubtedly mirrors as well - and the state-of-the-art in the manufacture and use of these today would be far advanced from earlier times. You know the huge spinning saw blade isn't going to cut through him, but it looks like it does. We know this is an "illusion," and the practitioners in this area of show business use this term themselves, including Mr. Angel.
There's some video on-line, purportedly produced by Criss himself, indicating the levitation technique. And while one program showed him levitating high above the ground, from one Las Vegas building to another, he still takes the elevator and stairs to his suite, steps onto and off of his RV, etc.
Whatever, I enjoy his programs - the prolonged séance scene wasn't that entertaining, and (for me) some of his more extravagant bits (e.g. from the boat) are my less-favorite.
I enjoy most some of his bits with cards, jewelry, other personal items, and some of the bits levitating others - especially when done on a crowded street, restaurant, etc. How did he not only toss a deck of cards from the sidewalk, with his subject's card then appearing stuck to the adjacent plate glass restaurant window (ON THE INSIDE, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLASS, YET)?? Hell, I don't know, but that's the whole idea and I enjoyed it.
Some suggest the use of confederates from the "bystanders," and some camera trickery. This thought has crossed my mind sometimes, and some people's reactions and patter, and some occasional camera shots suggest this. But many observers are youngsters, ordinary street folk, and others, where, for a variety of reasons, it doesn't seem they could be "acting." A lot of it is simply great sleight-of-hand. And we know misdirection is usually involved, expertly, at some point(s).
I've spent a lot of prolonged time in Spain on business, and have seen a man there who does CLOSE-UP magic, standing by a table with patrons seated there, and he does it WITH ONE HAND ONLY. Colleagues of mine have seen him live, and been participants, and none can deduce how he does what he does.
Angel's interlocking a couple's wedding rings at a dinner table in a Vegas restaurant, having an older lady's ring reappear within an ice cube, and before a large crowd in a mall, throw a deck of cards scattered on the floor, and then having the "selected card" rise from the pile, were all entertaining bits.
His sleight-of-hand is superb, and his demeanor is entertaining.
Does he possess truly "magical powers?" I doubt it. But, who cares? It's an entertaining half-hour, and watching 2/3/4 of his episodes back-to-back is entertaining, and doesn't seem "over-long," if you have the time.
Finally, where physical prowess is needed, this man's superb conditioning is admirable and fascinating to see, too.
Just enjoy his talent and quirky, likable persona. A good program.
If you watch, say, David Copperfield, whether live or on television special (I've seen him in both), there still is a lot of "smoke," undoubtedly mirrors as well - and the state-of-the-art in the manufacture and use of these today would be far advanced from earlier times. You know the huge spinning saw blade isn't going to cut through him, but it looks like it does. We know this is an "illusion," and the practitioners in this area of show business use this term themselves, including Mr. Angel.
There's some video on-line, purportedly produced by Criss himself, indicating the levitation technique. And while one program showed him levitating high above the ground, from one Las Vegas building to another, he still takes the elevator and stairs to his suite, steps onto and off of his RV, etc.
Whatever, I enjoy his programs - the prolonged séance scene wasn't that entertaining, and (for me) some of his more extravagant bits (e.g. from the boat) are my less-favorite.
I enjoy most some of his bits with cards, jewelry, other personal items, and some of the bits levitating others - especially when done on a crowded street, restaurant, etc. How did he not only toss a deck of cards from the sidewalk, with his subject's card then appearing stuck to the adjacent plate glass restaurant window (ON THE INSIDE, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLASS, YET)?? Hell, I don't know, but that's the whole idea and I enjoyed it.
Some suggest the use of confederates from the "bystanders," and some camera trickery. This thought has crossed my mind sometimes, and some people's reactions and patter, and some occasional camera shots suggest this. But many observers are youngsters, ordinary street folk, and others, where, for a variety of reasons, it doesn't seem they could be "acting." A lot of it is simply great sleight-of-hand. And we know misdirection is usually involved, expertly, at some point(s).
I've spent a lot of prolonged time in Spain on business, and have seen a man there who does CLOSE-UP magic, standing by a table with patrons seated there, and he does it WITH ONE HAND ONLY. Colleagues of mine have seen him live, and been participants, and none can deduce how he does what he does.
Angel's interlocking a couple's wedding rings at a dinner table in a Vegas restaurant, having an older lady's ring reappear within an ice cube, and before a large crowd in a mall, throw a deck of cards scattered on the floor, and then having the "selected card" rise from the pile, were all entertaining bits.
His sleight-of-hand is superb, and his demeanor is entertaining.
Does he possess truly "magical powers?" I doubt it. But, who cares? It's an entertaining half-hour, and watching 2/3/4 of his episodes back-to-back is entertaining, and doesn't seem "over-long," if you have the time.
Finally, where physical prowess is needed, this man's superb conditioning is admirable and fascinating to see, too.
Just enjoy his talent and quirky, likable persona. A good program.
Self absorbed - egocentric magician takes Vegas by storm
imbluzclooby13 November 2010
I caught this show on cable a couple of years ago. My first impression was that this was a cutting edge attempt at marketing to the Generatin X and Y audience. The host, and creator of the program is a Goth-Emo looking guy adorned with beads, piercings and grunge clothing. With his thick New York accent, Criss Angel markets himself as a magician to be reckoned with while incorporating his view and cursory knowledge of phenomonen and ESP.
The show is entertaining from a viewers initial perspective, but after closer review and attention one can see that he uses every cheap marketing ploy to buffer his image as a suave, sullen and mysterious being exuding wisdom, power and charisma. A once aspiring Rock musician, Angel sings his own cover theme song, "Mindfreak", which sends excruciatingly gnawing vibes to my ears. Angel doesn't even stop there. He intersperses his show with paid actors and extras expressing testimony to his awe-inspiring performances. Editing tricks, jumpcuts and cutaways are heavily utilized to bring credibility to these fantastic stunts, feats and backyard tricks.
It's like watching a campaign for a person running for office. About 60% of the show is dedicated to people, including Angel's family members, reacting to his stunts and expressing how ingeneous and gifted a soul he is. I know the paid actors cannot be rumors, because normally unbiased onlookers would show more indifference. Criss Angel may be a creditable magician, but he lacks an underlying charm. He comes across as sullen, arrogant and egocentric. Who else would dedicate 20% of their program employing a bevy of pretty girls as female admirers. This is narcissism at its most salient form. Criss Angel is undoubtedly a culprit of this. Magic should speak for itself. A true craftsman shouldn't rely on phony testimonials from people.
What really ignites my skepticism is that Angel delves into other areas outside of Magic. He claims to be an authority on every subject rather than a humble student of the arts and disciplines.
Criss Angel had his butt handed to him after receiving abysmal reviews of his new show, "Believe", which described the Vegas strip show as nothing short of atrocious.
The show is entertaining from a viewers initial perspective, but after closer review and attention one can see that he uses every cheap marketing ploy to buffer his image as a suave, sullen and mysterious being exuding wisdom, power and charisma. A once aspiring Rock musician, Angel sings his own cover theme song, "Mindfreak", which sends excruciatingly gnawing vibes to my ears. Angel doesn't even stop there. He intersperses his show with paid actors and extras expressing testimony to his awe-inspiring performances. Editing tricks, jumpcuts and cutaways are heavily utilized to bring credibility to these fantastic stunts, feats and backyard tricks.
It's like watching a campaign for a person running for office. About 60% of the show is dedicated to people, including Angel's family members, reacting to his stunts and expressing how ingeneous and gifted a soul he is. I know the paid actors cannot be rumors, because normally unbiased onlookers would show more indifference. Criss Angel may be a creditable magician, but he lacks an underlying charm. He comes across as sullen, arrogant and egocentric. Who else would dedicate 20% of their program employing a bevy of pretty girls as female admirers. This is narcissism at its most salient form. Criss Angel is undoubtedly a culprit of this. Magic should speak for itself. A true craftsman shouldn't rely on phony testimonials from people.
What really ignites my skepticism is that Angel delves into other areas outside of Magic. He claims to be an authority on every subject rather than a humble student of the arts and disciplines.
Criss Angel had his butt handed to him after receiving abysmal reviews of his new show, "Believe", which described the Vegas strip show as nothing short of atrocious.
Criss Angel is an awesome entertainer.
dmayle21 October 2006
I believe Criss Angel is worth watching. He is very charismatic and entertaining and his illusions are wonderful. Keep in mind as you watch, he is an illusionist and self-proclaimed provocateur. He is performing solely to entertain you and push himself to and beyond his own limitations. Finally, there is a show out there that can transport me to a time in my life where anything was possible. Naturally, the things he does(minus the stunts) are all pure illusion. Tell me, though, in this world of harsh, stark reality, isn't it nice to be "magically" entertained ? I live enough reality, I don't need to watch it on TV. I look forward to escaping for 30 minutes at a time with this HOT man who, incidentally, is my age.
Criss Angel: MindFAKE.
blurzzz@yahoo.com3 August 2006
This A and E program supposedly of "Magician" and "Illusionist" Criss Angel is one of the biggest Con's ever produced by a television network and given up to the viewing public as truth.
Real time recording and crass editing and slow pans away from the face of Angel which allows for props and re-appearing devices for Mr. Angel and his crew makes this slickly produced show appear as though Mr. Angel is the next Harry Houdini, in fact one watches the program with the intact knowledge That far from being Houdini Mr. Angel is in fact playing the best known cinematic con games this side of a Paris back lot and George Melies's 'A Trip to the Moon'.
For all of Mr. Angels hushed reverence and transported invincibility and telepathic powers one is left with the obvious explanations of knowing that Mr. Angel's camera operators and editors are the real magicians behind the most hockey and disappointing magic this side of a modern day basic cable 19th century traveling medicine show.
For all the fire and brimstone of the editing, camera work and lighting the tricks of this magic show are the most simple instruments of George Melies. One episode of the program feature's Mr. Angels supposedly disappearing from behind a big blanket into nowhere. This was the silliest of all the tricks done on the show because it was so obvious that Mr. Angel in fact ran to the back of the big wall that was behind him when the blanket went up in front of him. Then when the blanket came down Mr. Angel was safely in the back of the big wall.
Another program featured Mr. Angel putting a razor blade and string in his mouth and he supposedly in real time video with no cutting of the semantic filmed language tied the string in an intricate pattern that would have taken a seamstress hours to do. This was the most ludicrous thing i've ever seen on television. The camera operator keeps this very close shot of Mr.Angel for most of this sequence and then at the most dramatic moment when Mr. Angel is supposedly tying up the string into the razor blade with his tongue he pans towards the adoring crowd (or most likely paid extra's) while i'm sure some production assistant takes the razor blade and string out of his mouth and puts in the prop razor blade and string all tied up. Then the Camera operator quickly and very dramatically with a very fast zoom pans back to Mr. Angel who shows the razor blade and string all tied up.
The rest of the programs stunts consists of turning the camera off so that Mr. Angel can be placed in the way of props or in the right place so that props can blow up or so that body doubles or dummy's can take Mr. Angel's place in the face of fire, lightning, chainsaw's, or mechanical shrub mulches. This whole program is so fake, so devoid of any Magic that it's hard to critique in any way other than to take apart every single one of Mr. Angel's stunts and con games and say that Mr. Angels is one of the biggest con's and liar's in television history since Charles Van Buren went on 'twenty one'.
In one very sad and obvious appearance on 'Mindfreak' Mr. Angel appears hanging from a helicopter with his arms raised like Christ being crucified. For anyone who remembers the real Magician Felini's similar shot of the statue hanging from the helicopter over Rome one has the moment to throw up at such not only hubris on the part of Mr. Angel but out right plagiarism. Mr. Angel is certainly no Houdini, and certainly no Felini and most certainly not Jesus Christ. Sadly he's only a fake being let lose on a very long leash and big budget.
Real time recording and crass editing and slow pans away from the face of Angel which allows for props and re-appearing devices for Mr. Angel and his crew makes this slickly produced show appear as though Mr. Angel is the next Harry Houdini, in fact one watches the program with the intact knowledge That far from being Houdini Mr. Angel is in fact playing the best known cinematic con games this side of a Paris back lot and George Melies's 'A Trip to the Moon'.
For all of Mr. Angels hushed reverence and transported invincibility and telepathic powers one is left with the obvious explanations of knowing that Mr. Angel's camera operators and editors are the real magicians behind the most hockey and disappointing magic this side of a modern day basic cable 19th century traveling medicine show.
For all the fire and brimstone of the editing, camera work and lighting the tricks of this magic show are the most simple instruments of George Melies. One episode of the program feature's Mr. Angels supposedly disappearing from behind a big blanket into nowhere. This was the silliest of all the tricks done on the show because it was so obvious that Mr. Angel in fact ran to the back of the big wall that was behind him when the blanket went up in front of him. Then when the blanket came down Mr. Angel was safely in the back of the big wall.
Another program featured Mr. Angel putting a razor blade and string in his mouth and he supposedly in real time video with no cutting of the semantic filmed language tied the string in an intricate pattern that would have taken a seamstress hours to do. This was the most ludicrous thing i've ever seen on television. The camera operator keeps this very close shot of Mr.Angel for most of this sequence and then at the most dramatic moment when Mr. Angel is supposedly tying up the string into the razor blade with his tongue he pans towards the adoring crowd (or most likely paid extra's) while i'm sure some production assistant takes the razor blade and string out of his mouth and puts in the prop razor blade and string all tied up. Then the Camera operator quickly and very dramatically with a very fast zoom pans back to Mr. Angel who shows the razor blade and string all tied up.
The rest of the programs stunts consists of turning the camera off so that Mr. Angel can be placed in the way of props or in the right place so that props can blow up or so that body doubles or dummy's can take Mr. Angel's place in the face of fire, lightning, chainsaw's, or mechanical shrub mulches. This whole program is so fake, so devoid of any Magic that it's hard to critique in any way other than to take apart every single one of Mr. Angel's stunts and con games and say that Mr. Angels is one of the biggest con's and liar's in television history since Charles Van Buren went on 'twenty one'.
In one very sad and obvious appearance on 'Mindfreak' Mr. Angel appears hanging from a helicopter with his arms raised like Christ being crucified. For anyone who remembers the real Magician Felini's similar shot of the statue hanging from the helicopter over Rome one has the moment to throw up at such not only hubris on the part of Mr. Angel but out right plagiarism. Mr. Angel is certainly no Houdini, and certainly no Felini and most certainly not Jesus Christ. Sadly he's only a fake being let lose on a very long leash and big budget.
Mind Blowing Magic Show
mivanoskos28 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Criss Angel Mindfreak is one of the best magic themed shows you'll ever see.
Angel uses the power of illusion to trick the human mind. His show is not limited to making simple card tricks to the next level, levitation, and daring acts of danger that could be life threatening.
A great example is escaping a building that's set to blow up. Lighting himself on fire. Or escaping a car underwater.
Never a dull moment. I'd recommend the Cabanaro effect for fans of this show.
Angel uses the power of illusion to trick the human mind. His show is not limited to making simple card tricks to the next level, levitation, and daring acts of danger that could be life threatening.
A great example is escaping a building that's set to blow up. Lighting himself on fire. Or escaping a car underwater.
Never a dull moment. I'd recommend the Cabanaro effect for fans of this show.
I have a feeling this was meant to be a children's show that was repackaged for adults LOL:)
Loveunderlaw11 July 2018
As a real LHP Pagan adept & a real Goth too, Criss sadly for himself is neither of those things. He's a poseur that doesn't believe in anything supernatural, making $ is his only life, that's it. We've never seen him at any Goth events either, we go to many in the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic regions every year.
IMO his Sleight Of Hand "magic" tricks are just really paltry, he should just hang it up IMO. He's gotten rich off of the backs of those that don't know any better, how sad:(
IMO Cyril Tanaka blows Criss away easily in skill & finesse. Unless you are easily amused by foolishness, I wouldn't waste my time watching this show.
IMO his Sleight Of Hand "magic" tricks are just really paltry, he should just hang it up IMO. He's gotten rich off of the backs of those that don't know any better, how sad:(
IMO Cyril Tanaka blows Criss away easily in skill & finesse. Unless you are easily amused by foolishness, I wouldn't waste my time watching this show.
Are YOU Ready?!
Wynter_Miller2 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I hate "reality" shows. Why? Because they are as far from "reality" as I am from gracing the cover of next month's Vogue. I admit I detest television, as a general rule. It amazes me the absolute rubbish that fills the ever increasing number of channels.
So, it follows I should hate Criss Angel: Mindfreak, right? Wrong! I LOVE THIS SHOW! There is NOTHING like it on television. That alone should be reason enough to check it out. It has spawned NO copycats, another TV first. Why? Because duplication would be impossible.
Criss Angel: Mindfreak is a magic show. A REAL magic show. Not some guy in a tuxedo and a Vanna White clone. Hardly. It's completely unique, and the sole reason is its' star, Criss Angel.
Criss Angel describes himself as a "provocateur". I agree. He provokes your mind, titillates your senses, and forces you to question reality. Seemingly effortlessly.
The show itself, originally a "road show" , is now in its second season and filmed in Las Vegas. The style is nouveau documentary, lots of hand-held camera shots and disjointed cutaways. Each episode features one big "trick", and follows the intense preparation necessary to pull it off.
Interspersed throughout are interview clips of other magicians and behind the scenes people who comment on the undertaking at hand. Although the pragmatic portion of your brain knows he will be ultimately successful, you still cannot help but be caught up in the building suspense.
The tricks, and it really cheapens them to use the term, are dangerous. Deadly. These are NOT parlor games. Every one of them could easily cause death or permanent injury if a mistake is made. In a season and a half, Criss Angel has set himself on fire, been buried alive, dumped off a boat, manacled and shackled in a shark cage, suspended 90 feet above a concrete parking lot, and more.
Angel has been accused of camera trickery, planting "volunteers" in the audience, and various other nefarious "cheats". Say what you will, the fact remains that these are DANGEROUS undertakings. If you, I, or anyone is locked in a cage, handcuffed, in leg irons, and dropped over the side of a boat without an oxygen tank, we had better be pretty damned quick about getting back to the surface. You run out of air, you drown. Period. That's all the reality I need.
Criss Angel is, in himself, extraordinary . This is not some perfectly coiffed and manicured fellow. Long haired and darkly handsome, this man is in beautiful, nearly perfect physical condition. He moves like a cat. His mental conditioning is even more awesome, his intense focus palpable. He is totally committed to his performances, and absolutely serious about what he does.
You cannot categorize Criss Angel. He is a mentalist, in the best Kreskin like tradition. He is apparently able to pull numbers, colors, ideas and names right out of his subject's head. But, he's more than a mentalist. He's one of the very best slight of hand magicians I have ever seen. Not only traditional card tricks, but anything and everything is fair game. It may be relatively "easy" to "pick a card", but I defy anyone to explain how the man can get a cell phone inside of a beer bottle, drop an expensive piece of jewelry through a glass case, pull a snake out of a woman's purse or a tarantula out of some guy's hat! He levitates people, walks on water, makes a couple walking toward him suddenly vanish and reappear fifty feet away. He flies, he floats, he disappears in a cloud of dust in the middle of the desert. He makes a straight pin travel up his arm, under the skin, to be spit out of his mouth. He gave a girl a voodoo doll in the middle of a busy intersection. She stuck it with a pin, and his chest began to bleed. She freaked. She wasn't the only one.
HOW THE HELL DOES HE DO THIS STUFF? These illusions are done at venues where stringing wires or setting the stage is nigh impossible. I've seen him lift up a taxi and push a palm tree over. HOW? If this is trickery, then the people working with him are VERY, VERY good. Doubtful. Not to cast aspirations on his staff, who are excellent, but simply because backstage people with that kind of talent would be very hot commodities.
None of these people are well known in the industry. Omniscient Hollywood may overlook one or two of them, but a couple of dozen? And, even more implausibly, what Burbank and Broadway missed, Angel was not only able to find, but assimilate into a team? On the credibility scale, that possibility falls roughly somewhere between Pamela Anderson's "naturally blonde" hair and the odds on winning the Publisher's Clearinghouse Giveaway.
However he does it, WHAT he does is fascinating. Sometimes he will teach us how he does a trick, but if you try it yourself you will quickly see, at the least, it requires hours of practice to pull it off smoothly.
I have seen every episode of this show, AND Angel's live show. Of all of his magic, for me, the most incredible single feat was in the first season. All I'll say is this: It involved a charter bus on a dusty highway, a deck of cards, and a girl named Stephanie. I DON'T CARE how he did it! It was simply the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The first season is now available on DVD. Buy it, find the illusion, and watch it for yourself.
So, if you are sick of sitcoms, doze during dramas and retch at reality shows, try Criss Angel: Mindfreak on for size. It's definitely different TV. It's entertainment, in the truest sense of the word.
So, it follows I should hate Criss Angel: Mindfreak, right? Wrong! I LOVE THIS SHOW! There is NOTHING like it on television. That alone should be reason enough to check it out. It has spawned NO copycats, another TV first. Why? Because duplication would be impossible.
Criss Angel: Mindfreak is a magic show. A REAL magic show. Not some guy in a tuxedo and a Vanna White clone. Hardly. It's completely unique, and the sole reason is its' star, Criss Angel.
Criss Angel describes himself as a "provocateur". I agree. He provokes your mind, titillates your senses, and forces you to question reality. Seemingly effortlessly.
The show itself, originally a "road show" , is now in its second season and filmed in Las Vegas. The style is nouveau documentary, lots of hand-held camera shots and disjointed cutaways. Each episode features one big "trick", and follows the intense preparation necessary to pull it off.
Interspersed throughout are interview clips of other magicians and behind the scenes people who comment on the undertaking at hand. Although the pragmatic portion of your brain knows he will be ultimately successful, you still cannot help but be caught up in the building suspense.
The tricks, and it really cheapens them to use the term, are dangerous. Deadly. These are NOT parlor games. Every one of them could easily cause death or permanent injury if a mistake is made. In a season and a half, Criss Angel has set himself on fire, been buried alive, dumped off a boat, manacled and shackled in a shark cage, suspended 90 feet above a concrete parking lot, and more.
Angel has been accused of camera trickery, planting "volunteers" in the audience, and various other nefarious "cheats". Say what you will, the fact remains that these are DANGEROUS undertakings. If you, I, or anyone is locked in a cage, handcuffed, in leg irons, and dropped over the side of a boat without an oxygen tank, we had better be pretty damned quick about getting back to the surface. You run out of air, you drown. Period. That's all the reality I need.
Criss Angel is, in himself, extraordinary . This is not some perfectly coiffed and manicured fellow. Long haired and darkly handsome, this man is in beautiful, nearly perfect physical condition. He moves like a cat. His mental conditioning is even more awesome, his intense focus palpable. He is totally committed to his performances, and absolutely serious about what he does.
You cannot categorize Criss Angel. He is a mentalist, in the best Kreskin like tradition. He is apparently able to pull numbers, colors, ideas and names right out of his subject's head. But, he's more than a mentalist. He's one of the very best slight of hand magicians I have ever seen. Not only traditional card tricks, but anything and everything is fair game. It may be relatively "easy" to "pick a card", but I defy anyone to explain how the man can get a cell phone inside of a beer bottle, drop an expensive piece of jewelry through a glass case, pull a snake out of a woman's purse or a tarantula out of some guy's hat! He levitates people, walks on water, makes a couple walking toward him suddenly vanish and reappear fifty feet away. He flies, he floats, he disappears in a cloud of dust in the middle of the desert. He makes a straight pin travel up his arm, under the skin, to be spit out of his mouth. He gave a girl a voodoo doll in the middle of a busy intersection. She stuck it with a pin, and his chest began to bleed. She freaked. She wasn't the only one.
HOW THE HELL DOES HE DO THIS STUFF? These illusions are done at venues where stringing wires or setting the stage is nigh impossible. I've seen him lift up a taxi and push a palm tree over. HOW? If this is trickery, then the people working with him are VERY, VERY good. Doubtful. Not to cast aspirations on his staff, who are excellent, but simply because backstage people with that kind of talent would be very hot commodities.
None of these people are well known in the industry. Omniscient Hollywood may overlook one or two of them, but a couple of dozen? And, even more implausibly, what Burbank and Broadway missed, Angel was not only able to find, but assimilate into a team? On the credibility scale, that possibility falls roughly somewhere between Pamela Anderson's "naturally blonde" hair and the odds on winning the Publisher's Clearinghouse Giveaway.
However he does it, WHAT he does is fascinating. Sometimes he will teach us how he does a trick, but if you try it yourself you will quickly see, at the least, it requires hours of practice to pull it off smoothly.
I have seen every episode of this show, AND Angel's live show. Of all of his magic, for me, the most incredible single feat was in the first season. All I'll say is this: It involved a charter bus on a dusty highway, a deck of cards, and a girl named Stephanie. I DON'T CARE how he did it! It was simply the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The first season is now available on DVD. Buy it, find the illusion, and watch it for yourself.
So, if you are sick of sitcoms, doze during dramas and retch at reality shows, try Criss Angel: Mindfreak on for size. It's definitely different TV. It's entertainment, in the truest sense of the word.
Master of Chicanery!
Quiestar3 January 2024
I give Chris " Criss Angel" Sarantakos credit for repurposing what those in the film and television industry called "practical effects." There's w denying that these so-called illusions are equally impressive as the practical effects, which are still used today (though far less since the advent of CGE). The greatest magic lies in the filming and editing, as many of these illusions require equipment that must stay out of the shot and mustn't cast any shadows or otherwise interfere with the effect.
Because "Criss Angel" isn't an illusionist in the purest sense of the craft, some stage and close quarter illusionists discount his acts based on his extensive use of "we're in on it" spectators and the aforementioned practical effects that were the bread and butter and magic used in the motion picture and television industry for decades prior to the advent of motion control cameras and digital rotoscoping and matte shots.
Credit is due to Angel for putting together such a costly production. Perhaps his best tricks are those he used to convince a producer to spend the time and money to put together these reimagined displays of Hollywood's poorly kept secrets. In truth, Angel is best described as a stuntman. As such, there are inherent risks in the business.
So what? It's all about the production process of hiring actors, and, on occasion, employing those with particular afflictions (see "human torso") to aid and abet in deceptive practices that make for great television!
That's partly true. The biggest weakness isn't in the construction and control of the elaborate effects, but rather in Angel's overbearing Marilyn Manson-esque alter ego.
Worth a watch if you're into that sort of neo-gothic schtick and don't mind watching "magic" that has little to do with the mastery of prestidigitation and mad stage skills, and everything to do with staged effects as seen through the eyes of willing accomplices that have a habit of overacting to a degree that you know you're being taken for a ride.
Because "Criss Angel" isn't an illusionist in the purest sense of the craft, some stage and close quarter illusionists discount his acts based on his extensive use of "we're in on it" spectators and the aforementioned practical effects that were the bread and butter and magic used in the motion picture and television industry for decades prior to the advent of motion control cameras and digital rotoscoping and matte shots.
Credit is due to Angel for putting together such a costly production. Perhaps his best tricks are those he used to convince a producer to spend the time and money to put together these reimagined displays of Hollywood's poorly kept secrets. In truth, Angel is best described as a stuntman. As such, there are inherent risks in the business.
So what? It's all about the production process of hiring actors, and, on occasion, employing those with particular afflictions (see "human torso") to aid and abet in deceptive practices that make for great television!
That's partly true. The biggest weakness isn't in the construction and control of the elaborate effects, but rather in Angel's overbearing Marilyn Manson-esque alter ego.
Worth a watch if you're into that sort of neo-gothic schtick and don't mind watching "magic" that has little to do with the mastery of prestidigitation and mad stage skills, and everything to do with staged effects as seen through the eyes of willing accomplices that have a habit of overacting to a degree that you know you're being taken for a ride.
"There's no reality."
bonbonwen15 January 2010
It is not about true or fake.This is Criss Angel's reality even if it's out of your reality.
His magic is way beyond tricks or normal magic.He works in ancient Shamanism,Alchemism,Voodoo etc.There are people who has been done these true magic all through history.What's the surprise?It's the way he manifest power through wisdom.
Power is not easy to handle.It turns misused or out of control when there's not enough wisdom.Even it could turns against oneself and became destructive.He has higher wisdom and extreme strong will to work with this tremendous power.See how dangerous he has been acting?This is how powerful he is.
This young man is incredible being knowing how the energy works.He says,I'm using the energy of audience when performing.Yes it's true.The whole performing stage is actually his playground of energy field.He drives the energy flow to cause stunning vision effect.Can't believe it?Because, There is no reality as there is no illusion.
His magic is way beyond tricks or normal magic.He works in ancient Shamanism,Alchemism,Voodoo etc.There are people who has been done these true magic all through history.What's the surprise?It's the way he manifest power through wisdom.
Power is not easy to handle.It turns misused or out of control when there's not enough wisdom.Even it could turns against oneself and became destructive.He has higher wisdom and extreme strong will to work with this tremendous power.See how dangerous he has been acting?This is how powerful he is.
This young man is incredible being knowing how the energy works.He says,I'm using the energy of audience when performing.Yes it's true.The whole performing stage is actually his playground of energy field.He drives the energy flow to cause stunning vision effect.Can't believe it?Because, There is no reality as there is no illusion.
Great show, 9/10
Centrum12320 June 2007
For those who complain about how fake it looks or how he uses actors or camera editing you need a serious shift of positive thinking, I can only imagine how some of you are in real life.
And for those who think Criss angel really has god like powers or is Satan himself, I think you need to get your brains checked.
off course its illusion!!!!
It would be shocking if it was real, but its still an illusion and it is still entertaining. Looking for ways to prove that it is fake takes the fun out of it and it pretty much shows that you are negative people who have nothing else better to do. I don't care if its camera tricks and actors it still awesome to watch.
unlike other people I appreciate the illusions on the show because I know its purpose is only to entertain, and to others who try to crack the code on how he does it... get a life
Over all its a good show and the illusions are awesome. 9/10
And for those who think Criss angel really has god like powers or is Satan himself, I think you need to get your brains checked.
off course its illusion!!!!
It would be shocking if it was real, but its still an illusion and it is still entertaining. Looking for ways to prove that it is fake takes the fun out of it and it pretty much shows that you are negative people who have nothing else better to do. I don't care if its camera tricks and actors it still awesome to watch.
unlike other people I appreciate the illusions on the show because I know its purpose is only to entertain, and to others who try to crack the code on how he does it... get a life
Over all its a good show and the illusions are awesome. 9/10
Great show!
sassyprettyncute27 June 2007
This is TV Show is so great! He is so real, and his magic is amazing! I'd love to meet him one day, and he can do a magic trick with me, it was be just the coolest. He's so cool, and this is my favorite Reality Show. And whoever thinks it's not real, you're so wrong! How can this show be a fake? It's very entertaining, and so fun to watch, and very suspenseful too. This show is one of the best, and I enjoy watching it, and his stunts make me cry, cause I hope he doesn't get hurt, and it's just so cool, I hope people can enjoy this show as much as I do! I'm such a Mindfreak fan, it's just such a cool show. Love ya Criss Angel :D
The mindfreak goes beyond Hodini..in magic and everything else
crossbare168 April 2006
Right on the first episode of this show...I was hooked! There is just something about his presence that gets you from the beginning.
Hodini was very clever in making stunts only look dangerous..in this he was a genius. But Criss goes beyond this in that the stuff he does IS danger. He could be paralyzed for the rest of his life, break many bones and in the worst case...death. I'll let Criss explain it for you, "the stuff that you are going to see me do is not what you've seen other magicians do. Its a different style...a different era...its not about just doing a card trick--its about pushing an envelope my OWN envelope."(Genii magazine Interview Augest 2005) Criss is willing to look at himself, his opportunities, and he analyzes what he can do, and how he can do it. This you can see in all the behind the scenes parts of the show. You can also get some knowledge of it from the people who work closely with him, because interviews are shown of them throughout the show. Criss also does commentary throughout the show. Criss is the only magician who is not doing trick after trick for half an hour. His show has a reality show feel, and like the bachelor or the real world..you FEEL a connection with the characters..especially Criss. He lets you into his mind. Criss has also gone behind Houdini in this, that he lets you feel and experience what he is going through.
the new season of Criss Angel Mindfreak comes on A&E Wensday, May 31st. I suggest you check this guy out in action, what have you got to loose? ..."are you ready?"
Hodini was very clever in making stunts only look dangerous..in this he was a genius. But Criss goes beyond this in that the stuff he does IS danger. He could be paralyzed for the rest of his life, break many bones and in the worst case...death. I'll let Criss explain it for you, "the stuff that you are going to see me do is not what you've seen other magicians do. Its a different style...a different era...its not about just doing a card trick--its about pushing an envelope my OWN envelope."(Genii magazine Interview Augest 2005) Criss is willing to look at himself, his opportunities, and he analyzes what he can do, and how he can do it. This you can see in all the behind the scenes parts of the show. You can also get some knowledge of it from the people who work closely with him, because interviews are shown of them throughout the show. Criss also does commentary throughout the show. Criss is the only magician who is not doing trick after trick for half an hour. His show has a reality show feel, and like the bachelor or the real world..you FEEL a connection with the characters..especially Criss. He lets you into his mind. Criss has also gone behind Houdini in this, that he lets you feel and experience what he is going through.
the new season of Criss Angel Mindfreak comes on A&E Wensday, May 31st. I suggest you check this guy out in action, what have you got to loose? ..."are you ready?"
Mindfreak
mean_girl_xoxo29 August 2007
This show is the best ever! The demonstrations this man does are absolutely mind-blowing. All of the episodes fill you with both excitement and confusion. Its never a dull moment on Mindfreak. Criss Angel is an amazing illusionist. But don't take my word for it. Watch it yourself. Its on every Tuesday night at 10 on A&E.
"Why aren't you here Why does life seem so unfair You were strength in my darkest days Now how can I face the world Alone I need you here
God tell me why My friend is gone My friend is gone and I'll give up forever to be with you So tell me why My friend is gone"
-Darkest Day,Criss Angel
"Why aren't you here Why does life seem so unfair You were strength in my darkest days Now how can I face the world Alone I need you here
God tell me why My friend is gone My friend is gone and I'll give up forever to be with you So tell me why My friend is gone"
-Darkest Day,Criss Angel
Super cheesy, but super innovative
theshapels16 November 2006
Initially, I was turned off when I saw previews of this show, even though I have an avid interest in magic. The reason was that I was incredibly cheesed out by the Criss Angel persona; everything from the Hot Topic clothes, Tommy Lee haircut, to singing his own theme song (I'm not a big Korn fan, but Criss is...) to the very name of the show:"Mindfreak." I basically ignored this show and never sat through an episode until a caught a re-run after the first season, and I have to say, I was really blown away. At this time, I would also ask you disregard the uninformed opinion of the previous review, called "MindFAKE", because the person writing it obviously doesn't know what he is talking about. I have been to several magic conventions, seen many, many magicians perform live, been to lectures and workshops, and have done magic as a hobby for 7 or so years, so to say all the tricks are based on camera editing is stupid. If this were the case, Criss Angel would have no career.Prior to having a television series, I'm sure he had to have built his reputation with live re-creations of many of these effects, so attributing it all to camera tricks/stooges/editing is silly. Not all of the illusions are earth-shattering, but a few (his levitations, both self and spectator, and walking up and down the Aladdin Hotel really, really blew me away. His float from building to building wasn't too shabby, either) are very mind boggling, especially since many of his presentations of these effects are unprecedented. You would be surprised how many modern magicians are still basically ripping off Harry Blackstone Sr. Criss Angel is one of very few magicians that I've seen that do things that are truly innovative. So despite the image, that guy has serious skills, and deserves recognition as an outstanding contributer to the art of magic.
A fine performance of ingenuity.
snagssharkteeth-2378512 April 2021
I have always been impressed by magic and I have always wanted to be able to do it naturally, I don't think I have ever seen a magician go as far as Criss Angel takes it, which is why I think he is hated or criticized by major magicians, their followers and skeptics alike. I've followed a lot of Magicians as I am so fascinated by them, people like Blaine, Brown, Berglas, Copperfield, Dynamo and Cyril Takayama. Unlike the others Criss teaches us some tricks such as the any card at number with dice. The ACAAN is probably the most sought after holy grail of card tricks, so to learn that dice version from Criss is basically extremely rare and very fortunate because not only is it so incredibly good it can be performed anywhere with anyone's cards and dice, making it an authentic, genuine and natural effect.
Its not hard to learn that Criss has a twenty four seven make up artist and spends copious amounts of time working out, I am personally not a fan of vanity but I guess he like any other tv celebrity of any kind he has to present himself well. I was disappointed how readily he lost his gothic long black hair from the first season taking on his styled emo effect.... How ever I found it interesting that in season one Criss was getting audiences no larger than fifteen people and consistent denials from people to do his street magic with.
By the fifth season he had people idolizing him and he had audiences of over one thousand people. The impression I get here is that this individual is definitely an aspiration.
Its rather easy to say the entire show is comprised of paid actors, stooges, props, devices, gimmicks, doubles, suggestion, misdirection, wealth and sheer fakery but im not to sure that is the case. There are four things Criss did in this show that make me really wonder how? The first trick was driving his Lamborghini at 100 Ks into a zephyr of steam and not coming out the other side, having a girl slide through his mid section, dropping a waited bandana from the top of a high building, then catching it on the ground and cutting a mans arm in half. Of course a lot of the other illusions he did were also confusing like making the Elephant appear on top of a car park but over all I would admit that Criss is actually extremely talented and there are not many people in the world that think like he does, that being said I am almost convinced that after much thought and contemplation; not just Angel but a lot of magicians are using unnatural means to meet there ends. I know that basically all the famous magicians purposefully go out of there way to prove such things do not exist but I think they are doing that for their own benefit.
Its not hard to learn that Criss has a twenty four seven make up artist and spends copious amounts of time working out, I am personally not a fan of vanity but I guess he like any other tv celebrity of any kind he has to present himself well. I was disappointed how readily he lost his gothic long black hair from the first season taking on his styled emo effect.... How ever I found it interesting that in season one Criss was getting audiences no larger than fifteen people and consistent denials from people to do his street magic with.
By the fifth season he had people idolizing him and he had audiences of over one thousand people. The impression I get here is that this individual is definitely an aspiration.
Its rather easy to say the entire show is comprised of paid actors, stooges, props, devices, gimmicks, doubles, suggestion, misdirection, wealth and sheer fakery but im not to sure that is the case. There are four things Criss did in this show that make me really wonder how? The first trick was driving his Lamborghini at 100 Ks into a zephyr of steam and not coming out the other side, having a girl slide through his mid section, dropping a waited bandana from the top of a high building, then catching it on the ground and cutting a mans arm in half. Of course a lot of the other illusions he did were also confusing like making the Elephant appear on top of a car park but over all I would admit that Criss is actually extremely talented and there are not many people in the world that think like he does, that being said I am almost convinced that after much thought and contemplation; not just Angel but a lot of magicians are using unnatural means to meet there ends. I know that basically all the famous magicians purposefully go out of there way to prove such things do not exist but I think they are doing that for their own benefit.
I'm in LOVE with this man!!!
superwomen1019221 July 2007
Criss is an extraordinary man. His show pushes the limits of magic. He is constantly putting himself in life threatening situations. He may turn you off because of the Gothic style clothing (which I know for a fact he doesn't always wear) or the type of music he play's on his show Mindfreak. But I had the chance to talk to Criss himself on Thursday July 19, 2007 at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas.There is a stereotype that all Goths are dark and mysterious, but with Criss it just doesn't fit. He is one of the most respectful men I have ever met. Weather he is on his show or not, Criss will do everything in his power to make sure no one is hurt or injured, and if someone is Criss will do anything for that person. A reason I think he is so amazing, is because he does things people would not dream of doing. People think it's amazing the things he does, especially since he is turning 40 this year. But it doesn't surprise me with his amazing physical conditions, trust me this man is fit. I have seen Criss on many occasions without a shirt on. When I talked to Criss, he was so respectful he wouldn't swear or ignore people. There was a crowd of about 15 people outside the Luxor to see him, and he signed autographs and took pictures with every single person. He is very dedicated to his job and he loves it, which is great. He has been working 15 years to entertain people with his talents. And for someone to criticize him, without ever seeing him in person or seeing one of his performances live is not right. If you were at one of his stunts, it's no joke. What he is doing is real. I have personally seen Criss perform these stunts. There is no stunt doubles. I saw Criss drive 100 mph in a Lamborghini through a light cloud of smoke, and he and the car disappeared, it was just gone. There was nowhere it could have gone. This man is known worldwide, so obviously he's doing something right. And it's working for him. He has his own store at the Luxor Hotel. He has a Dodge Viper, a Lamborghini, and a Rolls Royce. He lives at the Luxor, which isn't cheap. So I say continue what you're doing and have a ton of fun doing it. I love you! Megan
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