Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed

The "Masked Magician" shows how one famous magic trick after another is performed.

I'm not a fan of magic and never have been, and feel rather ho-hum about the whole thing. But I'm very interested in how things are done. Although I don't intend to perform any of these things (even the simple ones) it's fascinating to watch how they are done and imagine variations on them -- far more interesting and even more amazing than an actual magic show. As an illusionist or a magician performs you know you're being tricked; but to see the effort, the hard work, and often the contortionism that goes on behind the scene, you have more appreciation for what they're actually doing. The narration is the worst, but perhaps that's to keep it from being distracting.

My sister's partner once said, once you know how a magic trick is done, it's not magic anymore, but it's a lot of fun to find out how some of the world's most famous tricks are done. That is exactly what Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed is all about.

My personal favourites included making an army tank disappear and spending a week in a block of ice, as well as some more simple ones like making a coloured scarf disappear and things like that. The Masked Magician never speaks and never shows his face, to "protect his identity" and he uses different assistants every now and then so we can't figure out who he is by looking at them.

This is one of the few TV shows I ever actually watch. I used to be really interested in magic and like I said it's fun finding out how the tricks are done.

All in all, Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed is a great TV series for the whole family to enjoy.

Magicians do interesting tricks, and when most people see them, they want to know what's going on. There has to be some explanation to these acts, they can't be magic. Well, this show will tell you exactly how these tricks are done, as demonstrated by a mysterious masked magician, and narrated by X-Files star Mitch Pileggi. It's both interesting to watch and very informative!

We start off outside an abandoned warehouse, where Mitch Pileggi walks out of what seems like nowhere. He tells us how magic tricks will be shown to us, and how the magician will remain masked and anonymous as to not be out casted by other magicians. Inside the warehouse, a very scarily dressed magician and his four female assistants show the tricks behind many magic tricks, from pulling a rabbit out of a hat, to making an elephant disappear. You'll be surprised at how simple some of these actually are.

The warehouse setting sets up a very creepy mood which lasts throughout the entire special. The masked magician is very mysterious and spooky, and the music played here is pretty scary. It's almost like they set this up at a haunted house. The tricks are obviously what people tune in for, and are really interesting. I found I didn't want to get up during commercials as to not miss any parts on how these tricks were achieved. Mitch Pileggi makes for a great host, and his voice is pleasant to listen to for about 50 minutes. The only negative that can be said is that some of the tricks had corny elements to them, such as the dancing assistants, over the top fake seduction and staged hypnosis. It was more funny than anything else, but I can see how some people would dislike that. I can't see anyone hating this special, except for other magicians.

Overall, this was one of the best specials I've seen. I was entertained throughout and I learned quite a lot about magic. I can't wait until they air part 2!

My rating: **** out of ****. 50 mins. TVG

Getting to find out all of magics most guarded secrets and watching them being done was a thrilling expearence.

Four episodes of pure excitement, and the assistants can assist me if you know what I mean ;)

Yeah, it's cool to see how tricks are done, but there is an unwritten magicians' code that you NEVER reveal how to do your tricks. Apparently at least one disgruntled magician contributed to this spectacle.

And Nash Entertainment, who brought us previous intellectual properties such as "When Good Pets Go Bad" shows no shame in revealing some of the greatest tricks ever conceived.

By the way, I have a hunch that the masked magician is a woman. A good trick to protect this turn-coat's identity. (But then again, it's not even necessarily true that the masked magician is even a magician--could be only an actor going through the paces.)