Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Private Investigation by Dire Straits

Master Course Cups and Balls Review

Volume II

One DVD, $15 bucks and one Master Course Cups and Balls Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Master Course Cups and Balls Review (II): Effect

Um . . . cups and balls . . . duh.

Master Course Cups and Balls Review (II): Method

Like volume I, this is a study of the Cups and Balls rather than just an effect and/or method. The main focus here is on three classic routines (two from Vernon, and one from Nick Trost).

Master Course Cups and Balls Review (II): Ad Copy Integrity

Again, the ad copy is simple and makes no crazy claims, just simply states the facts.

Master Course Cups and Balls Review (II): Product Quality

As with most Murphy's Magic productions, the quality is top notch, easy to navigate, well lit, well mic'd, etc. And per the usual, Daryl is an excellent teacher and easy to follow/understand, etc.

If you remember yesterday's review, volume I, you'll know that it got a less than favorable score. This, round, however, the rating is much better. I think it would have been much more accurate to call volume I the beginner DVD and this volume the advanced DVD . . . still not sure if "Master Level" is the right title, but I'll chalk it up to semantics and move on.

On this volume we learn the original Dai Vernon routine which is the foundation for pretty much every modern cups and balls routine. We also learn Vernon's impromptu routine along with Nick Trost's routine.

Each routine is performed by Daryl. Then it's taught; then it's performed again . . . I felt that performing it again was a bit unnecessary. He states that it's good to re-watch the routine with fresh eyes once you know the method. While I agree with that, I think the rewind button would suffice thus making room for even more material on the DVD.

Master Course Cups and Balls Review (II): Final Thoughts

Overall, this DVD comes much, much closer to the claim of being a Master course. The material is much less beginner-ish than the previous DVD. Frankly, all three DVDs could have been one DVD . . . easily. I would say that Volume I is a pre-requisite for this DVD unless you already know your way around the cups and balls. However, even at the beginning of this DVD, he re-hashes some stuff that was covered on volume I. There is a beautiful retention vanish taught on this DVD that, if you're unfamiliar with it, may be worth the price of the DVD for you.

Lastly, I think that the expectation going into something called a "Master Course" is that even a seasoned pro who performs the routine regularly would be gaining some healthy new insights into the effect, but I don't think that'll be the case. To keep with their college analogy, this is more like an Associate degree level, or maybe . . . may . . . be . . . a Bachelor level.

Either way, the material is worthy of study if you are not familiar with the cups and balls. If you already perform it, you probably won't learn much new here.

Final Verdict:
3.5 Stars with a Stone Status of gem.

Available at your Favorite Magic Dealer. Dealer's see Murphy's Magic for details.