Film: 
DVD: 
Series Created by Criss Angel
Features:
- All fifteen first season episodes
- Running audio commentaries on two episodes by Angel
- Interview with Angel
- Interactive illusions
- Photo gallery
- Criss Angel bio
Released by: A&E Home Video.
Rating: NR
Region: 1
Anamorphic: N/A; appears in its original 1.33:1 format.
My Advice: See his stage show instead.
There is a movement among magicians to make the art more modern, more of an edge, more x-treme. Instead of a safe encompassing environment like a stage, they perform their tricks on the street in full view. Without a set audience or a backstage, some magicians feel that this “street magic” is more real for lack of a better word. David Blaine has been on the vanguard of this movement but there are others such as Criss Angel: Mindfreak. But Angel does more than perform feats of sleight of hand and mentalism. He pushes magic and himself to the edge with death defying stunts where he’s set on fire, blown up, hung over a desert with hooks in his flesh and even hit with lightning. And you get to see all this in this new series.
There are two parts to a magic act. First is executing the trick: for example, place a coin “magically” into an unopened soda can. This kind of impossible feat is what Angel excels at. I watched a couple of the tricks he performs several times over and I can’t find how he’s doing it. The people who see his tricks are suitably impressed and are quite vocal about it. You see someone levitate your friend in the middle of a Las Vegas street and I dare you not to exclaim a “Goddamn!” and “No way!” The big “demonstrations” (as Angel calls them) are remarkable feats of endurance and body control if not testaments to his sanity. You have to be a special kind of person to drive a car blindfolded in Los Angeles to win a car or get hit from an electrical arc from a massive Tesla coil. Whether “special” means extraordinary or needing to ride the short bus is something I’ll leave to the individual viewer.
Now we get to the second part of the magic act: the presentation, the flash, the razzle dazzle. You could have the greatest illusion ever, but if you perform it in a deadpan voice saying “um” a lot, it’s doubtful the audience is going to be interested. Angel’s “look” is a departure from the classic tuxedo and top hat. Angel has this goth/nü-metal image with the long hair and the clothes from Hot Topic. He talks about how he wants to make magic more modern but it looked to me that a lot of stuff he performed was the standard sleight of hand and cold reading. It’s very well done, but I’m not seeing the “modern” aspect.
Angel also directed the episodes and doesn’t understand that what works for a crowd on the street–live–doesn’t work for a television audience. It’s hard to appreciate the skill involved since the television audience is separated by the screen. You also get that little voice wondering if he arranged the camera angle a little or used a couple of ringers. As to his big demonstrations at the climax of the show, Angel uses too many shots of his family and crew saying how dangerous the stunt is and how much risk Angel is under. It’s obvious that burying yourself alive or escaping a barrel suspended hundred of feet in the air is dangerous. Constantly mentioning it seems like a cheap way to boost tension.
The DVD extras are pretty ordinary. You know, the short biography, the photo gallery, the behind the screen featurette. Yawn. There are a few so-called “interactive illusions” so you can tell how you’re being manipulated to give the result needed. Criss gives commentary for two episodes but honestly he doesn’t add much insight or information. With a less than magical DVD, I’d catch Criss Angel: Mindfreak on cable. If there’s nothing else on.
Related posts:
Your Monday Morning Mental Sorbet: Wait Till He Gets A Hold Of You
Wire in the Blood: The Mermaids Singing (2002) – DVD Review
Thunderbirds (2004) – DVD Review
CSI: NY: The Complete First Season (2004) – DVD Review
The Persuaders Set 2 (1971) – DVD Review
Danger Mouse: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2 (1981) – DVD Review
OMG CRISS ANGEL IS YUMMY!!!!
this review sucks. go back to humburger school
Humburger School? Is that where one learns to make a sandwich that doubles as a musical instrument? Or are you saying that Scott was in training to be a sandwich that doubles as a musical instrument? Because that sort of education wasn’t on his resume. Or…maybe, just maybe, you’re a dumbass who can’t spell. Choices, choices, choices.
i like all of your shows im getting your levition dvd soon and i peform magic in school the kings rising i watched it over and i learned it but i did not even buy it but i try to make shows with my video camra i try to do a levitation with a borad and i have my dad in the back hosting me up it looks real cant wait to learn yours
Criss is my death angel, I’m sooo doing my webpage on him =3 He’s a ten on my hot scale.
Chris gets my vote for most amazing magician, for his tesla coil trick. I am amazed by anyone who can break a fundamental laws of physics, by being electrocuted inside a faraday cage(metal suit).
YO, Criss your tricks are crazy!!!! Want to know how you walked on water.
Chris angel man you are so amazing! i watch your show and see you walk on water and do amazing card tricks and im just like wow that is awsome. im deffinatly buying your dvd n watchin it everyday. i love your magic n braking all the physics n stuff. your just all out amazing!
CRISS ANGEL is the hottest ever master of illusion and magic ever. the show just leaves you in anticipation for the next episode.keep it up and ALL THE BEST.
criss angle is so hot!!!
Chris Angel is the hottest man alive, he not only breaks the laws of physics and gravity, he also breaks the dna code, it should be a sin to look that yummy!
criss angel is the most sexiest person Alive!!!I love him!!!!Hes the greatest!!!
I watch Chriss’ show every day he’s awsome!!!!!!His walking on water show was awsome!!And I would be mad too if I did all that work for my stunts and people only saw bits and peices!
Criss Angel is freaking amazing! He is deffinetly mi idol! I stay up with mi sisters every Wednesday till 10 to watch him! I only wish that it was on more often so we could see him more.
i watch criss angel’s show mindfreak every wednesday and i love it! i told my friends about it and now we have sleepovers and watch it. i think the stunts he does are SO amazing! CRISS ANGEL YOU ROCK!
i wach chriss angel every time its on i think the stuff he does is amazing! when i first saw one of his shows i thought every thing was fake but now i think its real Chris Angel is so HOT if i were to meet him right now i dont no what i would do
criss angel is sooooooooooooo coooooooooooooooool!!!^-^
I think he is radical! mindfreak is #1
Criss, I love your illusions man, you really do bomb kick-ass trix. I dont practice, just admire. I watched your show tonight and you won a Viper in Las Vegas, “Right On” good going bro. Ide love for you, to win me a car, you mentioned at the end of the episode to write you and say why I want you to win me a car. So here I am, on foot, really working hard, been saving for a ride, one that Ill be driving everywhere, I love long and short road trips, I feel sumthin comin on baby:) Its only one state away, I gotta go to Viva “Las Vegas”! Hey; maybe you could meet me there to win me a car so I could drive it home. Im visualizing, I can see it, Yes!! I dig you Criss Angle, you rock. Sincerely Julieanne
will you ever come to winnipeg for a show
it just really great in colombia there is lotta people that admire your fucking tricks and stunts oye amigo eres espectacular amazing no only that it just..freakkkk
CRISS ANGEL!!!!!! THATS ALL I GOTTA SAY!!!! I WISH HE WAS SINGLE!!! I WANT HIM TO LEVITATE ME
Criss u are so cool and i know u hear this all the time but if u are ever in QLD Australia plz plz give me a call.
omg i love criss angel soo much he is hott at what he does i love you criss dump yr fiance and hook up with me make me levatite and stuff god yr just soo hott yumm. oh yea i love yr abs and yr body lol( lots of love) jamie
omg i luv u criss ur soo hot!!!
MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS DAD WAS KILLED BY LIGHTING 2 YEARS AGO ,HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE HIS TRUCK TO HER WHEN HE DIED ,BUT I GUESS HE WASN’T EXSPECTING TO DIE SO SOON ,WHEN HE DIED THE CAR LOT EATHER TOOK THE TRUCK BACK ,OR HIS WIFE AT THE TIME LET IT GO BACK. I’M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPEND .BUT IT CRUSHED MY DAUGHTERS HEART.IF YOU COULD WIN MY DAUGHTER A TRUCK LIKE THAT ONE .YOU WOULD MAKE MY LITTLE GIRL THE HAPPEST PERSON IN THE WORLD .I WONT YOU TO KNOW I LOVE YOUR SHOW,AND SO DOSE SHE.
soy de venezuela………me encanta criss angel es super lindo y es demaciado bueno haciendo trucos…………..!!!!! mandenle saludos de mi parte…….
Hi Criss
My name is Jim. I was going to give my son James my 1983 Jeep Grand Cherokee for his Graduation unfortunately it was parked next to our house in Slidell, Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina put them under water. Criss if you could find him a new Jeep it would mean so much to him, he’s a big fan of yours.
SERIOUSLY Jim
**address and phone number deleted**
James: Sorry, since I have no way of telling if that’s really your address and phone number or not, I’m not going to allow it on the site. You could be setting somebody up to get spam calls and mail, for all I know. So, sorry. You might try to contact Criss through a site that’s actually affiliated with him. Just a suggestion.
hey i watch ur shows all the time!! i think ur the best!! well i saw ur one show were u sed to give u a reason to try to win us a car soo i though i’d give it a shot!! i live a small town where nuthin ever happends and its very very boring!! im about to turn 16 and im goin to celebrate it b.c my dad says im too old soo tht means no CAR!! and all i want for my birthday is a car!! yea it might be a bit early but .. just to let u kno my Birthday is in Febrary!! lol!! well thnx..and i think u should do a show in Hamlin Ny!! kk bye!!
i love Criss Angel!!
he’s the BEST!!
Dear sweet Angel,,I,understand how you work.What I don’t understand,is why all these abilities you possess seem to me to be waisted upon entertaining the population,rather than projecting these powers toward the good of all humanity…example;why couldn’t you broadcast your face and intentions and manipulation towards healing,helping,teaching,sending,,HYPNOTIZE masses into ending war…couldnt you plant your sleeping trick on them all and send peace messages to these folks who just want to destroy each other…Put your face on Iraqi T.V. and make THEM SEE…..Place them in state of sleep,, than project the peace………Of all that you’ve shared….Why???,Dont YOU DO THIS…….lots-o-luv-n-light…..Later………………..
YOU ARE THE BEST!!! I LOVE YOUR SHOW!! YOU AMAZE ME, I REALLY WANNA MEET YOU. YOU SHOULD DO A SHOW IN FLORIDA!!! I
CRISS ANGEL’s SO HOT…HE ROCKS!!!!
who cares if its all fake and just tricks…he puts so much work into all his shows. he is the best magician EVER! i wish we could see more of him…god bless him… :D
criss’s show is so cool, he’s really inspired me through tough times in my life + his a jperfect role model. just thind about how healthy you’d have to be to do some of those stunts and tricks!
You are amazing and your work is appreciated by all who see you! But, I’d rather you live to be a very old man. Be safe!
dear criss angel … i love your show i love you … i especially like the fish hook one but i was almost crying… i would really lie you to call this number so i can talk to you a bit better its X-XXX-XXX-XXXX … i want to see you and i want to be part of your show … can that please happen … i think you are the best celebrety i know and it would be the best moment of my life to see you. and i got my belly button pierced for you cause you have alot of pain in your life so i decided to do the same … please email me back at XXXXXX@XXXXXX.com and call me when ever you get the time ….. CRISS ANGEL I LOVE YOU! MINDFREAKKK!!!!!!!
oh and dont be suprised if you call and I cry
Caitlyn: Sorry, but we can’t allow your phone number and e-mail address on here. We have thousands and thousands of readers everyday who would love to call and spam you, but there’s a very good chance that none of them are actually Criss.
I’m am a big fan of Criss and am really interested in the things he’s done he’s shown me that the possibilities are limitless and that no matter what true magic can be sparked in anything and trust me I know what having no hope feels like but no matter what all I have to do is remember the magic in life and it helps me get through it.
I want to have your video of how to do levitation but yhe prublem is that i cant pay for the video
This review sux. go back to hamburger school. i love you, criss angel.
Meganne: So that would make Scott a hamburger helper…? Or did you mean to say “Hamburglar School”…?
Cool show chris, can’t wait to the new episodes and love the opening theme song for the show. be careful with whatever you do. Good luck
I am a arabic girl and I watch your show and I think that is good but really I don’t envies you you know why because I believe in God and I know that God is the greatest and I am sure that you arrive to that situation because of ‘JIN’ and I am not imprest because I know this tricks and in our country there are a lot of people like you and they do a tricks more interesting than you so I can’t ever be your fan.
if you have resive my email I wish you can ansewer me and if you got a point proov it
chriss is faboulous