Criss Angel - Mindfreak - The Complete Season Three Review

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(More customer reviews)Another season of the A&E show, Mindfreak, has come to a conclusion, and here I am revisiting to review it once again. The first thing I will state about this show is that I cannot pick a favorite season; it would be like picking a favorite child. I think each of them stands on their own.
Season 1 was about drawing in an audience and wowing them with a modernized version of what one would call "magic", sprinkled with plenty of death-defying stunts. For the women in the audience (and I did not really take inventory of how much this occurred with my first viewing), in just about every episode, we were treated with plenty of bare Angel chest (insert drool factor here). Season 2 added a little humor and personality to the show, with a little less chest baring and a little more bling.
Now, here we are at Season 3. The bling has increased, and the personality factor has as well. The beauty of this whole show is that it has that personality. Criss Angel has stated countless times that his idol, Houdini, had had such an impact because of the emotional level he had with his audience. Having the illusions, feats and tricks coupled with the personality is what makes people care about what he is doing. If we don't know who he is, then he's just going to be a guy who can do some really cool things, but so what?
Which brings me to my next question: Is Criss Angel and Christopher Sarantakos the same person? If not, then he MUST show who he really is - and I think we might be starting to see that little by little. I may be an odd-ball, but what drives me to care about anyone of celebrity stature is who they are behind the image. If Criss Angel wasn't Criss Angel with a TV show on A&E and I got to know who he was because I went to high school with him, or he was part of my neighborhood for years, or I worked with him long before he started gaining fame, money and popularity, would I care? Yes, I believe I would. Maybe that makes me a fool. No, it's not about money, bling, fame, name-dropping, or even the tricks. What is it about? Heart, Humor, Talent, and Inspiration - that's what its about.
In this season, we see some episodes that a few people have complained about: The Loyal episode, the Kid in Criss episode, or the appearance of Nicky Glass and Justin Case. Every person is going to get moved or entertained by different things, but I think these types of episodes give the show a well-rounded balance.
The Loyal episode shows how he interacts with his fans. My life creed to surviving the illusionary world of Celebrity-I'm-Above-Mere-Mortals is that you don't forget the following: Your family, your friends, the people who work with you and for you, and your support system/fans. Personally, I was shocked when I came across a clip online showing and stating this man sat for 18 hours signing autographs for a turn-out of 10,000 plus fans at the opening of his store at the Luxor in December of 2006. I just wish there was some of that in the episode.
I think episodes like, The Kid in Criss (or Chad's Story from Season2) or Animal 2 (or Animal Magic in Season 2) are moving and just give you a good feeling. Plus, the animal ones are pretty funny. Someone told me that kids and animals, who are innocent and free of stereotypical thinking, are the best judge of character. I find it comical that grown adults think Criss Angel is so creepy, yet kids love him and flock to him. How judgmental we "adults" are. Criss changes his "look" like people change their underwear, but that, coupled with his "air of mystery" makes him creepy and scary, right? Please.
What about the matter with Nicky Glass and Justin Case? For those who haven't been introduced to these two "characters" and may or may not have been introduced to Crissy from Season 2 and are STILL having nightmares about "her", let me explain. Our beloved Mr. Angel likes to dress up - I can only guess when he's bored or wants to trip people out - like the most obnoxious characters. He's virtually unrecognizable and goes out and unleashes them on unsuspecting folks on the streets of Vegas. So, if you see or hear a very fat, unbecoming, gross, obnoxious has-been magician or a tall, badly dressed red-headed salesman with buck teeth and a funky suitcase, you'll know who it is. My only advice to you if you happen to bump into such individuals while visiting the City of Sin is to keep your valuables close and start walking away real fast.
Like the other two seasons, I like the tricks, but I love the between-the- lines. I like something that makes me laugh. I don't stay with anyone who doesn't make me laugh, or who doesn't inspire me in some positive way. If I walk away feeling better, than I know I'm on the right track. I can say I've never felt bad walking away from a Mindfreak episode. When I look at an episode like Prisoner Transport Escape, besides being intrigued by this play on escapism I also enjoy the golf course scene. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, watch it. I have no idea whose idea it was to put Criss Angel on a golf course, but it's quite . . .ahem . . . entertaining. When I look at Criss being dragged around a dirt track by a rope in Quad Drag Escape, I look at the human side of how his mother's impending heart surgery is affecting him. You cannot create art in a vacuum.
So, I hope these kinds of episodes continue. If you happen to get the DVDs, the extra features are well worth the price. I wish he would release a whole DVD package of bloopers and behind-the-scenes. I hope he considers it. Putting the guest stars on the show (especially Amazing Jonathan. Forget THOSE TWO together. They could have their own show) keeps things fresh and moving, too.
If I had any "advice" or anything I would change, it would be this: Criss, lose the excess bling (a little bling is cool, too much is distracting). I want to see what the hands do, and all the blingy rings take away from it. I'd do a little magic on the blond highlights and make them disappear, and I wouldn't bother with "hanging" with the bottom of the celebrity pool. I would also use that smile and that laugh more. That smile - wow - it brightens every stormy sky and the laugh - its like music to the ears. The kid in Criss has to come out more, for sure. When you have a "real" personality and a true talent you can still amaze with class and integrity. I believe, if he keeps to who he really is and doesn't lose his heart and integrity, we will be seeing the best of him to come.
So, ARE YOU READY?

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Criss Angel Mindfreak: The Complete Season Four Review

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(More customer reviews)I have reviewed every season of Mindfreak, and now, here I am, reviewing the most recent Season 4. Anyone who has read my reviews for the previous three seasons will know that I basically gave the show glowing reviews, with maybe a criticism or two here and there. However, this season is different.
For starters, I will say that if you are a NEW fan who just discovered Criss Angel, then do not start with this season. The only reason for anyone to start with Season 4 would be if you actually watched every episode when A&E aired it, and you fell in love with it. If that be the case, then there's no way to go but back in time. If you haven't started out this way, go back to Season 1 and start chronologically from there.
I was going to write this review after re-reviewing the DVD, but I've seen every episode, plus the extra features. I was prompted by my inner voice to write this now, so here I am.
Season 4 has enough excitement for you if you want a thrill or two. The formula for Mindfreak hasn't changed much, but something - or should I say, someone - HAS changed, and that's the star of the show. While watching the episodes of Season 4 every week they aired, I was somewhat disconcerted by a seemingly lacking of something missing. What was missing was the Criss Angel I became interested in with Season 1 and 2, and who seemed to still be present in Season 3, although the change was already in effect by that time.
So, here are my some of my criticisms:
1.I'm lucky I have my eyesight still. With all the bling flashing in unison, I'm surprised the retinas of my eyes haven't had a hole burned through them. I said it before, but it's worth repeating: I want to see what the hands are doing. Criss has a very good slight of hand, plus he's got beautiful hands for a guy. Let me see those hands and see what they're doing. I don't want to have to wear a freakin' pair of sunglass to watch your show.
2.I don't want a tour of your garage of bikes, cars and other motorized toys. I'm a chick who has the need for speed (I AM a NASCAR fan, after all), so I sympathize for the need for things that go vroom. However, I don't want ANOTHER tour of your motorized toys.
3.I know some fans didn't like it, but I did. So, I want to know, where are the goofy characters like Justin Case and Nicky Glass? It gave a dose of humor to the show. The Homeless Dude was lame. Crissy could have kicked Homeless Dude's butt, that's how lame he was.
4.The Beard was a distraction. Enough said.
5.I could have done without the Gross Episodes That Were Not Funny. Cutting a fan's arm off or cutting into someone's skull? How about said Illusionist trying to catch a bullet and a nail going through his hand. At least when he tried to be gross before, it was funny to see people's reactions. There was something harmless and lighthearted about it - almost like: Okay, I'm going to be gross by pulling a damn piece of thread out of my belly button and watch everyone scream and squirm (Funny as Hell). Now, there's almost something sinister and twisted about these demonstrations.
The biggest thing I miss is the guy in the first two seasons. When I go back to those, there was something organic and authentic about those. There was a guy who looked good but didn't TRY TO HARD. There was this likable, friendly, smart, engaging, hard-working guy who cared about engaging you and letting his talent speak for itself. Now, it's almost a Look at Me kind of thing. It's more about: Who I'm With, What the Media is Saying, How Gaudy I Am, and How Many Toys I Have.
There are some good moments in Season 4. There's some of the funny, engaging Criss, but if you blink, you'll miss him. Four episodes really stand out for me in this season:
1.Walk on Lake - The scenery was really beautiful, and the fact that he went further with his Walk on Water theme came out with some amazing results.
2.Building Implosion Escape - You had to watch this live to really appreciate it. I really thought he was dead when that building went down. My heart was in my throat and I was insane while the whole thing was happening. It scared the dingle berries out of me. I still get chills watching it, even now, because I know how I felt while it was happening. I reflected quite a bit after this episode and it was an eye-opener for me.
3.Car Wreck Vanish - This episode would have been just as scary, if not more so, then the Building Implosion episode if it had been live. It was the first time an episode of Mindfreak ended on a scary note. Even though these episodes were mainly pre-taped and they weren't taped in the order that they were aired, this episode caused Criss to have to post a response on his Myspace page as to his safety, it caused so much chaos.
4.Silverton Final Attempt - Anyone who follows Criss' career knows that he doesn't have luck with underwater demonstrations. He tried Silverton once before in Season 3 and he was forced to cancel right before the event. It was almost humbling to see him wrestle with his demons here and to come out conquering them. It wasn't just humbling - it was inspiring and touching. This episode was almost as organic as ones in his previous seasons that it was almost out of place here.
Season 4 is far from being bad. However, it pales to every other season he has done thus far. He is the one who makes this show, and he's missing pieces of himself. I hope Christopher Sarantakos returns as the man behind the Illusionist. I miss him.
©Diane Trautweiler. February 20, 2009.

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The hit A&E series CRISS ANGEL: MINDFREAK once again stretches the boundaries of reality and belief in this thrilling fourth season. Criss Angel's incredible illusions, death-defying escapes, fearless demonstrations and astonishing physical feats have made him the first ever five-time back-to-back recipient of the Magician of the Year award. His visionary approach to the art of magic rejects the traditional confines of the craft and gives birth to an edgy new brand of modern mysticism.In this fourth season, Criss Angel tackles feats that defy the laws of nature. Highlights include a live broadcast of his escape from a building seconds before it implodes, walking across Nevada s Lake Mead, being cremated alive, walking through steel and inviting skeptics to join in on a deadly challenge in which one wrong move could cost Criss his life! Each episode will leave you baffled as Criss Angel executes the most innovative magic ever seen on television.

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