Review: Criss Angel MINDFREAK "Building Float"

At the start of its second season, CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK returned with a strong season opener. One of Angel's finest moments from season one was his levitation episode where he suspended himself and others in a park and on a street. In "Building Float," Angel attempts to float from the top of one building to another in broad daylight, a feat inspired by the legend of D.D. Home, a Scotsman known for his spiritual levitations and outrageous claims in the early 1800's.

Strong supporting effects lead up to the big finale and fill the half-hour. Angel walks into a lamp shop and asks a clerk to select a lamp. Angel removes the lightbulb from the fixture and lights the bulb and floats it through the air-a great take on the floating light bulb effect.

Rising to the Occasion

Angel levitates a child by placing a hand on top of her head and seemingly lifting her-a feat that resembles one that was showcased in earlier David Copperfield television specials. In another illusion, Angel is surrounded by a crowd who is touching him, and he levitates off of the ground. Here, I couldn't resist thinking of a Biblical type of setting where the masses touch the robes of a prophet and a miracle occurs.

The show's climax is stunning. Angel stands on the top of one building in broad daylight, slowly rises, and travels in a horizontal plane until he travels to and lands on the top of another building. Angel says that he wants to take the levitation to a new level and succeeds in doing so. It's an impressive presentation that from what I can tell, can be performed live.

Reality Show Format

The reality show format from season one is back and shows Angel consulting with his crew and being interviewed. This season, the Aladdin Casino has provided Angel and his team a glass office so the public can watch them at work (please don't feed the magician or tap on the glass?). Interestingly, Angel teaches a trick to his television audience. He shows how to seemingly float a Styrofoam cup in one's hands.

New this season is the spectator camera, a video camera that's given to a spectator who is free to record the events as they occur and from their own perspective, which is simultaneously shown with the professional footage. It's a nice touch that strengthens the presentation and effect in which it is used.

A Running Start

In magic, you always try to come up with a strong opener. In "Building Float," the initial episode for his second season, Criss Angel and his team have come up with a solid, magic-packed episode that offers some innovation. It's a worthy beginning to a season that shows lots of promise.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto