‘Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars’ Recap: ‘Amystika Chair’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrously entertaining series, Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars, on The CW, we talked at length about how the show… did an amazing job of reminding us how much fun magic can be. A feat that it accomplished by bringing forth the wonder and awe that accompanies magic, and by reminding us of the hard work and dedication that goes into creating the illusions that wow us on the stage, and well it is obvious now that this is a formula that the show is completely comfortable with sending our way. Since this week’s episode of the show, stuck to that particular edict and that’s a wonderful thing.
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Because it made ‘Amystika Chair’, a quality hour of entertainment. One that captivated us with more of the same, and surprisingly, featured a heated competition. For Omarion and Maksim ‘Maks’ Chmerkovskiy really wanted to win the Golden Wand this week and it showed during the Physical Matchup round. Because both of them came out to the stage completely aware of what the judges want from them. Since they worked the crowd and brought about some eye-popping and physically challenging illusions for certain. Which led to a close first round, one that Maks won by taking his fears and worries of failure head on, since he wasn’t sure he could do the bed of nails trick. But he did it and did it well. 

Which in turn pushed Omarion to up his game during the Close-Up competition. Which allowed for him to really engender trust with the crowd and the volunteers on the stage and make everyone comfortable during the trick. Which in turn brought forth a very relaxed and engaging close-up trick, one that pleased the judges and encouraged Maks… to also up his game. Since he went into full showman during his trick and also wowed the crowd and impressed the judges as well, keeping his chances for a victory alive. But of course, it is the Grand Illusion round that truly decides who will bring home the Golden Wand and this week’s top illusion was going to put these two showmen to the absolute test. 

For they were to replicate the classic Amystika Chair, a trick that requires stunning showmanship to really engage the crowd and some incredible timing and movement on the magician’s part. Which brought about a fascinating pre-illusion behind the scenes look. One that showed just how much work has to go into this trick, and it of course… pushed these two fierce competitors to give it their all when showtime arrived and wow… we were treated to quite the show. Because both of these magicians left it all on the stage and executed this trick flawlessly. Putting the judges in a tough spot, but alas… there could only be one winner.

As to who that was, we won’t spoil here. Because you need to see how this trick plays out with your own eyes. But what we can say at this point, is that this show is a blast to watch. Because it really does fire up wonder in our hearts and awe in our eyes and it has you rooting for the competitors to land every trick so they can celebrate in putting forth a flawless illusion, one that wows the crowd in person and the audience at home. Because that’s what magic is supposed to do, just drop our jaws, and prompt us to declare how what we are seeing is just plain awesome and this show is accomplishing that just fine and it need never break from this formula because it works, and it hooks you and it will now have all of us counting down the minutes until next week’s episode. Until next time.

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