Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed

When I was a kid, I was afraid of while watching it beacuse of the mask. It was fun and the secrets of the magic shows that everyone was curious about were being revealed, the event that had been expected for years had come true.

I have read every book I can find on Harry Houdini. He was, since I was 7 years old, my hero. Someone who came from so little to obtain so much was just a great story. I have little doubt, Mr. Houdini would agree, when this show was made, magic was getting old and stagnant.

Some traditions are, to this day, hundreds if not thousands of years later, still observed. Others, are outdated and so absurd, we question our sanity that we ever followed them and exercised them for so long. Now, another tradition falls to the weight of history. The so-called "magicians code". An out of date concept which was used to create a sort of secret society meant only for the special, actually it was used to prevent people from competing with other magicians. The "CLAIM" magicians never reveal their secret is an absolute B. S. as clearly demonstrated by the prolific Magic Books these so-called SECRET KEEPERS sell to anyone that will buy.

This show was LONG overdue and will FORCE all those "HACKS" using 100-year-old tricks to up their game and maybe create some of their OWN new and exciting tricks and illusions. When I say "HACKS" you know who I am talking about, RIGHT CRISS?

Today , I see it as rehabilitation of magic at beginning of new millenium. In same measure, as inspired return to flavors of childhood. And, not last, as beautiful deconstruction of fascinating misteries, exploring tricks, simplicity, reveailing risks and price of presumed mistakes.

Just a beautiful series creating addiction.

I admitt, more important , for me, was the masked magician , interesting acting , than his revelations. The mask, the gestures, the trace of classic horrors, the return to the fascination in evenings at circus, some gothic drops and so familiar magic numbers in new light , not diminuating their values, maybe not exactly making them accesible for large audience but offering a way to see reality and the truth behind the apparences shell.

In short, just inspired pure show.

We are in awe at the Magic trick then we try to figure out just how did they do that! Near the end of the series my kids are practically novice at figuring the trick out. Very cool show!

If you're the kind of person who likes to know the how of magic is done, don't miss this show! Once you watch a few of these shows, it becomes fun to try watching the show then pausing and figuring it out before the reveal. You'll start to notice a pattern and start thinking more like an illusionist. I definitely don't get all of them, but a fair number after the demonstration I can pick out how it's done.

Really this is B-level camp. The show doesn't take itself too seriously, and as a viewer you shouldn't take it super seriously either. (I think that's part of the show's charm.) Yes at times it makes fun of magicians (especially the assistants), but there is usually a valid thought behind the criticisms.

The show is well shot considering how dark many sets must be for the illusions to function. Occasionally they'll completely blow the explanation for a trick, but the vast majority (95%+) are understandable on the first pass. Thoroughly enjoyable if you really *want* to know how a trick is done!

One thing that watching this show regularly does is kind of destroys the mystique (for the viewer) for common magicians. My local TV station used to show "Masters of Illusion" directly before MBSFR, and the two in rapid fire didn't work well. MBSFR survived, but Masters of Illusion was dropped from the schedule, mainly because I think MBSFR shows how many of the performers on MOI were just complete hacks.

I suspect working magicians have a similar reaction to this show. But if you're part of the howdy-do-dat crowd, it's fun to see the curtain pulled back!