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SHOW REVIEW: 'Criss Angel Believe'

It's sort of hard to 'Believe': In his new show, fans might be wondering if Criss Angel is still there







Midway through his new show, Criss Angel turns and asks his audience the night's big question: "Are you still there?"

He probably meant it as, are the fans he made with his slam-bang "Mindfreak" stunt-magic hanging on for this new career left turn; a journey through a Cirque du Bizarro ballet?


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  • But the fans might be asking him the same question from their seats. It looks like their guy (most of the time, anyway), and talks like him. But is he still there?

    So it goes with "Criss Angel Believe," which officially was unveiled at Luxor on Halloween. It's the shotgun marriage of Criss Angel, sort of, and Cirque du Soleil, kind of, where both seem to have their hands tied by new rules. Neither seem completely comfortable.

    Like any Cirque production, "Believe" is full of audacious and beautiful visuals. You're again reminded it's a good thing the Strip's conqueror is a benevolent one with bold ambitions. What other commercial show gives you bunnies in black leather, or a ghostly bride's wedding dress unspooling in an unending train?

    The dress raises into a vertical wall, which the magician proceeds to walk down, before it's engulfed by a wash of (video-projected) blood. Moments like that make you wonder what this show could have been if Cirque and David Copperfield had come together 10 years ago.

    Copperfield understands that the best illusions are little one-act plays, each building to a carefully constructed payoff that isn't just an effect, but the climax of the story.

    Angel and director Serge Denoncourt, who co-wrote this one together, don't get much further than rock-concert theatrics rolled up with a cinematic soundtrack (a fine one, by the way, by film composer Eric Serra).

    Their "Believe" is more like Alice Cooper circa "Welcome to My Nightmare," full of cool monsters, sinister death traps and devilishly hot bad chicks. But only in a fourth-quarter rally does the wedding-gone-bad harness Cirque's gift for lyricism into a glimpse of story-telling emotion (despite some real bad-actor howls of angst on Angel's part).

    The unintended irony is that the show rolls smoothly for the first 20 minutes, when Angel does the straight-ahead showcase he probably would have mounted without Cirque's involvement. But then a surprise sends him down the rabbit hole into a weird Wonderland that's sometimes fun -- Larry King in a bondage mask! -- but more often frustrating.

    The magic makes it painfully obvious that Angel is a showman whose gift was creating his persona, not anything new in his field. The dude's buff and tough enough -- hanging upside down over the audience in a straitjacket -- but the big illusions plod to predictable conclusions; dressed-up versions of the typical Vegas big-stage show.

    The touted innovation is that instead of boxes and cabinets, the trickery is concealed by the fabric of fans or cloaks, or fog machines. Big whoop.

    Angel's speaking role has expanded since previews began, a double-edged sword. Remember, Cirque isn't big on the talking thing. But this is a star vehicle, and the star's gotta say something, right?

    So you might be lulled into the haunting imagery the same way you might be hypnotized by an old horror movie on TV. But then your roommate comes in and starts with the wisecracks and it goes the way of "Mystery Science Theater."

    The magician makes awkward banter in his Long Island accent and even throws down dance moves with his comic-relief sidekicks, who wandered in from some other Cirque production in their derby hats and Euro-clown makeup. It's supposed to be incongruous -- and they sure got that part right -- because remember, it's all a dream.

    Time and ticket sales will prove whether the dream turns out to be nightmare. Friday afternoon, Cirque founder Guy Laliberte reminded us of two things: A) Cirque shows don't stop evolving after the opening night party. B) No matter what you think of the stage show, $5.5 million in presales in this economy is some real magic after all.

    Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.

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    Paul Sparks wrote on January 30, 2010 02:29 PM: Having been a fan of Mindfreak I was keen to see this show. It lived up to NONE of its hype. From the moment it started until it fizzled out 90 minutes later I was left with the impression of... was that it? I've seen David Copperfield and Lance Burton and they are both accomplished magicians who leave you baffled with their illusions and cheering in amazement... Criss Angel spent the whole time shouting at the audience to gee them up, did the same type of vanishing trick 4 or 5 times... Had smoke and cloaks and fans cover his every move even running to the back of the stage at one point to switch roles with another character on stage out of sight. and as for the huge finale, sawing a woman in half, the trick was done at the back of the stage with the woman already strapped to the equipment when it was rolled on! Animatronic-tastic! The audience responded with a polite smattering of applause... I couldn't believe that with all the hype surrounding this show, and with all the money The Luxor spent on him, Criss Angel has acheived a complete dead fish of a show. There is no excitement, except from Criss, no amazing illusions, nothing that you cannot see for free at the NYNY hotel magic shop. Lets just say that if you want to see a show atThe Luxor, see Fantasy... its 100% better... and we told the girls that when we met them afterwards... They said they'd heard Criss Angel was rubbish. Save your money and see them instead!! Luckily for me my casino host comped me the Criss Angel tickets so it cost me nothing except my time... 90 minutes wasted.


    john wrote on December 31, 2009 07:18 AM: the only thing i got out of the show was riped off of 389.00 for 2 tickets i will never go back to the luxor for a show my wife and i could not believe how fast we lost our money on a poor show his show will not last i liked his tv show but this put his name to shame


    Evgeny wrote on November 25, 2009 02:26 PM: I just saw the show at Luxor - it was complete disappointment, save your money - dont go there, it is boring, the magics are old, the same magic tricks were done 100 years ago, the dancing was middle class, I wouldnt pay a penny to see this show again. STAY OUT of IT.


    Tristen wrote on November 09, 2009 01:28 PM: I just returned from Vegas. I was soo excited to see Believe. I had heard, through the grapevine, that the show left much to be desired. I am the type of person that doesn't listen to anyone when it comes to music, movies, etc. I'll find out for myself, thank you very much. :) I am sad to report, that Believe did not live up to an ounce of the hype that revolves around Criss. I was SOOO disappointed with this show. It was nothing like I expected and nothing like any of the other Cirque Du Soleil shows that I have seen. It looks like I'm not the only hard core Criss Angel fan to feel this way, either. The crowd seemed so disappointed as well. I could hear murmers all around me. The show left you craving for more and left you on the edge of your seat, only to be left hanging and saying "that's it?" I can say this about Believe: Criss Angel is hot on TV but WAY hotter in person. He is a funny, genuwine person and his passion for what he does is clear. I was touched by his tribute to his late dad. The stage setup is awesome. I think that it would be fare to say, that the fans would much rather see Criss performing instead of a white lady hanging from the ceiling or the stage "clowns" that are there to entertain us. We want Criss to entertain us!!!! We are there to see him, after all.


    Pat wrote on October 30, 2009 01:14 PM: If I can save even one person reading this, the $100+ cost of the ticket, then this comment is worth posting. You will have a better time losing the same money at a black jack table.
    It was by far the worst show I have ever seen. Cirque dancing was beautiful...the only thing that kept me from walking out.
    Jersey Boys on the other hand, was amazing and was less money. Go see that instead.


    Bill wrote on October 14, 2009 09:48 AM: Just saw the show. It seemed disjointed and underwhelming. Bad wedding of concepts. Half way through the audience gave what felt was an obligatory applause for something that happened on stage. I had the feeling it was more for justifying for them putting out the money than anything else. They had to clap for something, or did they?

    I also got the impression that on his t.v. show he uses a lot of cut and paste in his film editing in order to allow us to be impressed at home ... cannot do that live, so, it seemed he resorted to unimaginative tricks. The only good trick was putting a drap over the woman and have her instantly appear 100 feet away on the stage.

    In conclusion, save you money and go see Jersey Boys or Terry Fater (sp).


    Mike wrote on September 14, 2009 10:04 AM: Worst show I've EVER seen. However, he did do a good job of making my $280 disappear.


    TGreen wrote on September 13, 2009 08:07 PM: This show was a waste of money! He didnt do anything that impressed me! There are so many great shows in Vegas....this is not one of them.


    Tiffanyann wrote on September 07, 2009 03:53 PM: i love criss angle and believe eveything he does because i belive in the unknown and supernatural and i know that all peope are given amazing powers that others werent priveledgedwith! he is amazing and i beleve he can do all he say


    stacey wrote on September 06, 2009 05:08 PM: jerk.


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