Parents' Guide to

Wizard Wars

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Magic competition features fun; some iffy images.

TV Syfy Reality TV 2014
Wizard Wars Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

age 17+

Wizard Wars ... a contest that generates superb Magic

I’m not a Magic Groupie or, as one Magician called them “Wand Waxers”, but I found the format and the performances fascinating. It is produced by Penn & Teller who are the greatest Magical Showmen of our times. OK if not the Best … in the top Two. Two teams of amateur Magicians compete with each other by producing the best Performance and Trick as determined by a panel of Wizard Judges. That Team then competes against a team of two professional for the $10K prize. I think the real Prize is the “jump start” of their careers by winning against the Pros. And the Tricks developed using some strange assigned props and under tight time pressure are amazing. In the first episode the Canadian Team use Penn as a “volunteer” and performed a burning card trick in his hand that even amazed Penn who exclaimed ... “I never saw THIS one before!” No camera wizardry is used and the performances are in front of a live audience. I found the Judging as interesting as the Tricks. The panel judges Total Performance and not just the Trick. How cohesive was the presentation? What was the chemistry between the two partners and how their command of the audience? It’s rated on its Totality as an Act. The Host, Ellen Fox, does a great job in moving the show along. She is a self-declared Muggle, who acts as an Ambassador between the Audience and the Magicians.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

From amazing card illusions to mind tricks, the show offers viewers the chance to see how magicians use universal tricks of the trade to showcase their individual talents regardless of the props they use. Meanwhile, it also shows some of the skills they must have when working with other illusionists to create acts that both impress and entertain.

Most of the tricks featured here will appeal to magic fans of all ages. However, there are a few that appear painful or seem potentially dangerous. Some of the acts rely on some subtle sexual references as a way to be funny. But for those old enough to handle it, there's a lot to enjoy here.

TV Details

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