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Grant Maidment: Your Card Is Review
One DVD, four "special" cards and $20 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
There are two effects that are almost identical. They both go something like this: Four identical cards are shown (e.g., Eight of Diamonds). They all (apparently) have red backs. One at a time, the cards turn face up. At the end, the backs are shown and they all four have different colored backs. That's where it stops for Chameleon Deception. With the main effect, Your Card Is, in addition to the backs of the cards changing, three of them have words on the back. "Your" is on one, "Signed" on another and "Card" with an arrow on the third. The arrow points to the fourth card being held by the spectator who turns it over to discover that it has changed into her signed selection from earlier.
Both Doc Eason and Chad Long have explored, dabbled, used and created effects with very similar plots to the latter effect. The former effect is, certainly, nothing new. There are as many versions of that effect as there are magicians in the world.
Method
The methods is also a pretty standard method for this type of effect. It uses Elmsley Counts, basic sleight of hand and a gimmicked card (supplied). That's about it. It's definitely real-world approved, and the methods (as well as the effects) have stood the test of time.
The method for Your Card Is requires you to write on the back of the supplied cards. So if you choose that route, you won't be able to perform Chameleon Deception. However, due the focus of Your Card Is, you don't have to have the backs turn into multiple colors. You can simply have them all turn from blue to red. Then it's a simple matter of getting 3 red cards that are identical.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is perfect. It represents exactly what you are getting with no fishy video tricks and no false text.
Product Quality
In the past, I've had audio issues with MagiTao products. However, it looks like they've figured it out. The audio was just fine, and so was the lighting. The video itself, however is not full sized. It didn't fill up my laptop screen. Rather, it was a rectangle in the center of the screen. I'm not sure what that's about. However, it didn't affect the learning experience.
The menu is easy to navigated, and the effects taught well. Further, there is a section that teaches the Elmsley Count and how to do a Half Pass. The cards are Bicycle Stock and well made. The DVD itself is Burned rather than Pressed which may be an issue for playing properly in some DVD players, but these days, it's rarely a problem.
Final Thoughts
If you liked what you saw in the ad trailer, this is exactly that. Nothing more, nothing less. You'll be happy with the method. It's also nothing new and unfortunately none of the predecessors were credited. If the performance felt a little familiar, then you probably already know/do something like this. Other than the lack of originality and lack of crediting, this is a solid product.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of gem.