Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Box

I've never been to Las Vegas, I've never seen S&R show, and all my knowledge about them comes from Father of the Pride series. Still, this movie was definitely worth watching and very enjoyable.

By today's standards, the movie lacks in graphics and in scientific approach. I would have so much preferred to watch it without all these ridiculous and silly "effects" which may have been impressive a decade ago, but now look cheap. Special effects should help viewers immerse in the movie, not exist by themselves. But this knowledge comes with time and a decade ago these effects were the way to go, so I'm not to blame the authors. Another problem is that today everyone knows that there's no such thing as a "white lion breed", so what S&R did isn't environment preservation in any way.

But... the way S&R treat their animals and interact with them warms my heart. I don't advocate using animals in circuses, but I know for sure S&R love them and never treat them badly (just google for "Make sure no harm comes to Montecore").

The way S&R portray their childhood memories, children's perception of the world is interesting and fun to watch. This is as documentary as Simba's singing I Just Can't Wait To Be King in The Lion King is. But still, it's fun.

The music, the narration are top notch too.

The sad thing about the film is that there's a very high quality IMAX filmstrip lying somewhere, but we won't get to see it...

Siegfried and Roy's first autobiographical sketch on film comes with state of the art graphic effects and a touching story about the lives of two of the most greatest performers alive. In their story they challenge the obstacles that came from postwar Germany and the strenuous tasks of making it in show business. Furthermore the film adds a touch of beauty to the meaning of fufillment of lives goals but gives a new understanding to the word success, for not only is it acheived by believing in onself it is the outcome of years of preserverance.

My wife and I are big fans of S&R. We used to see there show one a year during our really holiday which we (almost) always spend in the US. So when I discovered this DVD both of us felt the urge :We must have this!" since we have about everything one can get from them.

That said. It was nice to see and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it but all in all it was a disappointment. There are no 3D effects, worse I distinctly have the feeling that they simply copied a VHS tape to DVD! It looks just as grainy as all my own VHS -> DVD movies.

So those that have really enjoyed S&R I would advise them to certainly buy it (cost me less than 5 dollar!) but don'g get your hopes set too high.

This is a must see for any Siegfried and Roy fan!! The effects are extraordinary, and the sound has never sounded better in an IMAX film!!

The story starts with two boys, who sneak backstage after a performance of Siegfried and Roy when they discover a box, that magically (naturally:) takes them back to the childhood of Siegfried and Roy, furthermore the boys have become Siegfried and Roy as kids. It is a brilliant film that takes you from their humble beginnings, to where they are now - Las Vegas' finest!!

A great film that will leave you wishing that the 47 minutes in length that it is, was longer. A great film for everyone, but for fans - A MUST!!

I have read the other negative comments about this film and I must say I strongly disagree! I thought it was an interesting story with GREAT 3-D visual effects. Anyone who is interested in magic and the life of magicians would really enjoy this film. I think it is unfair to criticize this production as though it was some sort of fictional movie. It is simply telling the life story of two great modern performers of magic. My niece loved the beautiful 3-D effects and wanted to see it again!

Also, it is true that the two are gay and that the movie avoided mentioning it, but who cares? I actually think it was a wise choice to keep certain "personal" elements out of the story.

If you get a chance to see this movie and want to experience some of the best 3-D effects ever produced, by all means see it!! It is very impressive to say the least!