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Reviews Unkind For Criss Angel’s Believe

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Three major outlets dropped reviews for Criss Angel’s new Luxor spectacular Believe last night. Two of them independently invoked the 1995 Joe Eszterhas film Showgirls.

Here is the opening for Richard Abowitz’s review..,

All I could think about watching Criss Angel’s “Believe” was the movie “Showgirls” and Elizabeth Berkley’s Nomi Malone, the nomad who goes from stripper to Strip showgirl. Angel’s journey from street magician to Strip headliner is a similarly implausible story, but more so, it is his show that really manages to capture the so-bad-it’s-good spirit of the movie.

Meanwhile, Joe Brown of the Las Vegas Sun tosses this barb in his lyrical dismemberment in which he classifies Believe as Cirque’s “first bona fide bomb.”

Camp followers — the types who relish gems of unintentional badness like “Showgirls” and well, “Springtime for Hitler” — are advised to get tickets soon.

Surprisingly, it is the Las Vegas Review-Journal which was the first and most vocal to report the show’s problems through previews that presents the the most measured criticism.

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.”

To add insult to injury, Las Vegas Tripping.com even scraped Twitter for the opinions of the microblogging masses, which nary a positive word found.

Posted by Editor on Saturday, November 1st, 2008 at 3:31 pm.

  • loyal Crystal
    haha and Karma bit u when u lost on phenomenon
  • loyal Crystal
    You kno wat randi I never even heard of your show anywhere I hear Criss' show everywhere what does that tell u
  • Hot_Mama
    Me,too...Friend in Florida. She is looking for love...from the richest guy she can find!
  • Friend in Florida
    I've gotten more google alerts from the Criss/Holly connection than I EVER received for the actual show reviews....lolol. Take it for what you will.
  • Brookie
    Thank you Veronica.
  • Jim Kalahan, it was just to make the Phenomenon more audience friendly, co people adore scandals. If it wann't you, it would have been someone else. Bless god you are no more famous that any other contestant. Insted you curse and what do you get?
  • Veronica
    Oh for goodness sakes how creative some of you are! It's easy to throw stones at someone on the internet when you don't have to tell them your opinions face to face. Long live the computer commando in all their glory and spinelessness.

    As far as Criss' personal life, what in the name of God does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Upset that he's not doing you? With your mentality, chances are he wouldn't if you paid him.

    Every show, no matter if Vegas or Broadway, has it's start out flaws and rough spots. And "Mr" Callahan, if that is indeed you, did you not have to smooth rough edges in your performances when you first began or did the hand of God touch you personally and make rose petals fall out of your ass immediately? I would venture to say you had to sharpen your image and performance as you went along as well.

    "Douchebag"? It's 2008, honey...look up a term that isn't a few years behind the times.
  • Hot_Mama
    You go Loyal Kayla...I hated Jim C. I thought he was one of the worst on that show.

    He is just jealous...!

    and to Demi, I don't think anyone should say that Criss is a douche bag...what gives you the right to
    call him that! Obviously you have a lot of problems with the girls he dates. They call it PERSONAL Life for a reason...I don't care who is with. As long as he is happy...that's the main thing.

    I saw the show...and loved it. People need to get off the carousel and realize that Criss is doing
    something different than he has in the past. Why not give him the benefit of a doubt and see the
    show...then decide for yourself.

  • Debbie W
    Well Demi, I have to agree with Jessica...Criss' personal life has nothing to do with the show what so ever and calling him a douche bag is uncalled for. I have went to 4 of the Believe shows so far, 2 during the preview stages and on Oct. 30 and again at the Gala Premier and the show has evolved into a great production. People reacted very well at the Gala Premier and I'm appalled at all of the bad press he is receiving from the media. There was no one outside the theater at any of the shows I attended stopping people and asking their opinions, and if they did I'm sure there were very few out of the 1000+ that were interviewed. I thought the show was amazingly done and if people would get that it is NOT mindfreak PT.2 or a Cirque Show like KA or O then they would enjoy it and experience the emotion that is intended to make you feel.
  • C. Michaels
    i have to say, with all of the hype that was but behind the show, and everything that we were told, it seems that the show has not lived up to any of it's expectations. i would have expected Criss to back up what he said since the project started. and it looks like that did not happen.
  • Mindfreaked
    I was at the Premiere and Gala on October 31st. I will just get it out of the way and let you know that I am a Loyal. I did not see a preview show although I did read the reviews of the show before going to the Premiere. I promised myself that I would keep an open mind about the show and judge for myself - putting the fact that I am a loyal and the bad reviews aside. Honestly, Criss' acting was not good. He was over animated. He's a good actor, I've seen proof...this was just a different Criss. I don't know if he is supposed to be like he was - like it is planned that way or he was just bad. Now, as far as the show...yes, some of the show seemed disjointed, BUT if you take into consideration what Criss says about magic...magic is what you feel, not what you see....then by all means, the show was GREAT!!! We laughed, we cried, we were scared, we were worried, we were envious, we were concerned and we felt a bit of disappointment. How many other shows can put you through that range of emotions within 90 minutes? And on top of that (we sat in the front row - I think next time we go we will sit further back.....although, front row had it's advantages!) by sitting in the front row, you are "snowed" on, "rained" on, feel the "wind" through your hair, and feel the heat of the fire. We really did have a great time and we will go again.
  • manuel
    To put it mildly, the show wreaks of desperation.

    If anyone tells you the show is good, ask them how much of a kick-back they're getting from MGM/Mirage.
  • Troy in LasVegas
    What is funny is all the people who said, "The show is not done yet. Wait until the Gala when it will be complete and ready and then judge it."
    What now?
  • Troy in LasVegas
    Kipp Sherry- I just sent you my private contact information via your email so look for that and please contact me when you come to Las Vegas. I will come see your show and will tell the world and iTricks community all about it.
  • Loyal Chelle
    I cant believe some of the stuff being written about Criss' show. I have seen it along with a group of friends, in fact one of those friends was at the gala. The show is amazing! I loved every minute of it. The storyline is beautiful. I would pay to see it over and over again. My friend that went to the gala said that show is amazing and he even added some new illusions to it. I cant wait to see it again. I'm very Loyal to Criss and have met him. He is a sweetheart of guy and he loves his fans more than anything. You should just see the show for yourself and make your own judgement call.
  • Lex Motors
    Yes jessica, you are absolutely right. We should all be educated about the magic of emotion; if not, our opinions are simply not of importance because we cannot possibly understand the incredible mind of this rockstar wannabe.
    The only ones who could possibly understand this show are his blind fan who "educate" themselves in whatever they wanna believe. I bet you love this show and you probably havent even seen it. Keep educating everyone about it please.
  • Loyal kayla
    oh Jim go Screw yourself!!!! man when are u going 2 get over it!!! Criss emabarraed ur ass on national telvision and u got what u deserved! Get A Funkin LIFE Jim!! Gah!! ppl dpnt like u!!

  • Brookie, I didn't say Criss' show sucked either. In fact, I have been a fan of Criss Angel long before his success with Mind Freak, long before his Japan tour, and going back to his days on the streets of New York. I was simply agreeing with Randi Rain that I think iTricks should report beyond Criss Angel. iTricks has never reported on one of my shows even though I regularly get good reviews and standing ovations. And I am not alone. I know a lot of really good magicians who do not share the lime light but their magic and entertainment is fantastic. Maybe iTricks good look beyond the top stars and start reporting on the future stars as well.

    And by the way, Jim Callahan, I feel your pain. I applaud you for the way you stood up to Criss.

    Until we appear again,
    Kipp Sherry
  • "Randi, it's Criss not Chris"... I don't care... makes no difference to me. People spell name wrong all the time.
    "For instance Randi how would you feel if I just flat out said that your show suchs hard core".. again, I wouldn't care, and I didn't say his show sucked. I am said I am sick of reading about Criss, Chris, or what ever. More Jeff Hobson please!!
  • Karma is a nice chick to have on your arm.
    Criss got what I predicted he would the day after our confrontation on Phenomenon.
    (I will post the video soon).

    He was stupid to do what he did and now is paying the price.

    -Jim

    H.o.A-X

  • KatyExclamationPoint
    Well, for the people who didn't like it than oh well than but trust me there are thousands of loyal who can't agree with you.
  • NathanR
    Hello Friend in Florida,

    Yes I am here. LOL Just hanging low watching the reviews like everyone else. I think you'll see a LOT of effort of local Vegas media and entertainers to try and help the show. I feel terrible for all the multiple staff, dancers, techs and employees whos jobs are threatened and I'm sure the local median and entertainers do as well.

    The video did make the visual sets in the show look most IMPRESSIVE I have to admit that. Thats what makes me so sad in this case. They got so close but seemed to miss the mark by leaving out what the audience really wanted. ( the groundbreaking , all new, magic Criss promised) With such a BEAUTIFUL looking show to have 90 percent negative reviews is not a good thing so there is surely a problem with the presentation.

    Hiring a director who admits he hates magic, doesn't understand magic at the same time you want to re-invent magic wasn't a very smart idea on Cirques part. The directors comment in a recent interview where he said he had to learn magic to direct this show was an admission he didn't know what he was doing. Magic is an art form that takes MANY years of hands on experience to master. Cirque is going to have to admit this part of it to themselves before they can make any real changes that will matter.



  • Jessica
    ^How ridiculous. How is Criss' personal life (i.e. the douche bag comment) in any way representative of the show? His personal life has absolutely nothing to do with this. You seem to be one of the many who obviously liked Mindfreak and expected the show to be Mindfreak Pt. 2. BeLIEve is not supposed to be a Mindfreak replica or even a full-out magic show. If anyone educated themselves about this show at all (and it is obvious that many people have not), you would not come out of the show disappointed.

    BeLIEve is supposed to be about the magic of emotion -- the tricks themselves are not supposed to be the main focus, but how you feel when you watch them. Criss is trying to establish an emotional connection with the audience, and that connection is not being made because people are too busy trying to figure out "how" the tricks are done (or bashing the supposed 'simple', 'mainstream' tricks themselves) instead of sitting back and enjoying the show for what it is.

    The show has already sold millions in tickets, it obviously has an audience, and it is not going to 'go away' because of a handful of less than steller reviews.

    --Jessica
  • Demi
    My friend, Amanda and I went to the show. It was HORRIBLE!
    We're huge fans of MF but Criss has turned into a douche bag
    big-time. I perdict his career will flop in at least the next few years.
    Why? Because he spends too much time pretending to be in love with
    different chicks and breaking up with them in a few months, because he
    has gotten too cocky and truly forgot who he really is - - Nothing more then some Long Island guy
    who truly is a disgrace to the Greek ethnicity. Take it from me, I am from Greece originally and we don't like him, we just laugh. MF3/4 wasn't even very good 1&2 on the other hand.

    It's biting him in the ass
  • Brookie
    I really don't think it's fare, and highly juvinile to be passing judgement on a show that I am going to say that most of you have never seen. For instance Randi how would you feel if I just flat out said that your show suchs hard core, eventough I've never seen your show, or how about you Kipp?

    Reviews don't tell me not to go see something. For instance I heard the Batman Begins was horrible and that I sholdn't go see it. I love that movie, so I'm not going to let a review tell me what's good and what's not.

    And Just a question did you other magicians hate MindFreak from the start? I'm just curiouse.
  • Friend in Florida
    Lex...I got some of my best inspiration from that show. It can't be all that bad.

    P.S. Nathan are you out there? Norm wrote a half decent interview...so far your theory is holding water.
  • Lex Motors
    no, the TV show wasn´t a fluke, it was just Bad.
  • Friend in Florida
    O.k...let me get this right this time. Randi, it's Criss not Chris...lolol....my bad.

    For the first time people who haven't seen the show in person can get vid clips from the live show on the Believe site. I have to say I was impressed. It looks so beautiful and mystical. Manhattan was not a fluke, Neither is the MF TV show. It is called hard work, perserverance and talent. I like the words typed by Mr. Editor "come back kid". Stay tuned peeps, it aint over.
  • Randi Rain,

    I agree with you. iTricks could come do a review of my show if they want. I got a standing ovation at my last one.
  • Ok... The show happened, we got the reviews... enough of the Chris Angel.. That's all itricks has become. The Chris Angel web news. There has got to be other stuff you can write about.
  • Lex Motors
    The Lies finally caught up to the Liar who lied about his lying. Glad this happened. As soon as he picked "Believe" as the title, I knew it was over. I guess this proves that the greatness of the original Mindfreak show in Manhattan was simply a fluke. What a disappointment.
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