Penn & Teller Off The Deep End

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C-     Film: C+

 

 

Sticking more with magic and less with grossout effects and tired humor, Penn & Teller do all the usual magic tricks, but immersed in water in their new TV program Penn & Teller Off The Deep End.  Well, I though they have always been there and this is restrained by comparison.  The real problem here is water does not make any of these tricks that much more interesting, they reveal how they did it later and Aaron Carter turns up to sing a song about them!

 

If that’s not a nightmare or more death-defying than anything here, and that he is not maimed is a shame.  Too bad the famous duo did not make him disappear permanently.  The memory of his song sure will and he sings it underwater.  Jaws sequel anyone?  Also amazing is that he is wearing a diving helmet and you can still see his smarminess underneath the water, glass and other distortions.  Wonder if he got the bends when he was done?  That will not help the music.  Oh, and the magic is done with competence otherwise.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image was shot on recent analog professional NTSC equipment and looks good, but will not age well.  The editing is a bit awkward.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no real surrounds, which helps us hear less of Aaron Carter.  This is the first time I will ever be glad a DVD was not in DTS.  Extras include text bio on the duo, an expanded scene and two featurettes.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo