Taking their magic to the (really) big screen

[Photo: IMAX Corp.] Siegfried & Roy, that’s Siegfried on the left, with their white lion, Pride, in Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Box.

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By BILLY NORRIS

© St. Petersburg Times
published September 9, 2002

Movie: Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Box (IMAX)

Rating: Not rated

Summary: The history behind Siegfried & Roy -- the Las Vegas entertainers, magicians and white tiger tamers -- is revealed in this 3D large-format IMAX film. The film, narrated by Anthony Hopkins, re-enacts their early childhoods in war-torn Germany. It goes on to tell of when they first met as young adults working on a cruise ship, and how they combined their love for animals and magic to eventually become the dynamic duo they are today.

My view: This is one of those weird 3D movies that requires you to don a pair of those funky glasses, which quickly get irritating. The 3D was most effective when their Las Vegas act was being highlighted, but the rest of the story would have been easier on the eyes had it been presented in two dimensions.

Favorite part: The interactions between Siegfried & Roy and their big cats, during the show and at home, were fascinating! There are those who would argue that what they've done is wrong, but it's completely mesmerizing to see them in action. They've taken wild animals, trained them for countless hours and ended up with fully-grown white tigers (and a rare white lion) acting like house cats. The love and respect they have for these creatures is obvious.

Least favorite part: All too quickly, this film went from talking about their roots to flaunting their excessive wealth, which seemed unnecessary.

Recommendations: If you're particularly fond of Siegfried & Roy, and you aren't planning a trip to Las Vegas, then go ahead and have yourself a good old time. But otherwise, I'd probably invest my money in one of the other IMAX movies playing at Channelside.

Grade: C

- Billy Norris, 14, is in the ninth grade at Seminole High School, and is a former member of the Times X-Team.

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