Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: I Drive Your Truck by Kristen Merlin
The Truth From a Liar by Hannibal Review:
2 DVDs, one heck of a story teller and $40 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect/Method
What you're really getting here is an intimate peek inside the world of a full-time working pro. As for the effects, You get Ramsay's Coin and Cylinder effect with much better props and a much better presentation and a much better story/justification/everything. It's THE BEST version of this effect. Bookends is a beautiful piece of story telling and wonder that leaves two spectators with a memorable gift and story. You get a funny (yet slightly "blue") cards across with a very clever handling and construction.
The Pringles Act is a multi-phase routine with "card under glass" and chop cup-like elements. This routine is full of surprises and a pleasure to watch. The Strange Engine is a cleverly constructed card routine that's smart and well put together. Golden Memories pays homage to Rene Lavand's 3 Bread Crumbs. This takes it a totally different place with a killer surprise ending.
This is one of the best constructed acts I've ever seen. Though the material is mostly easy to do and well within the range of just about any performer, it's very "Hannibal." It's complete "his." The material is commercial and totally doable, but the real lesson here is how to take magic and make it your own. Hannibal's show does this more than just about any other magician I've seen.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is dead on. It doesn't make any outrageous claims, and it delivers exactly (plus more) what it claims.
Product Quality
The DVD is well produced, well mic'd, well lit, well shot and well taught. Hannibal is a smart guy who's fun to watch whether you're watching the show or the explanations.
Final Thoughts
For a mere $40 bucks you get to see a true pro in action. You get to see a very personal and beautiful performance. You learn about Hannibal through magic as it should be. He's a great technician, an excellent entertainer and a touching story teller. His entire act was one well-woven world of wonder. Even if no effects were explained I'd be begging any performing magician to buy this. I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of Total GEM!
4 Comments
The routine is very touching and poetic, thanks for sharing this Jeff!
@Sam – You’re welcome, and I totally agree. It’s one of the most beautiful pieces of magic I’ve ever seen.
I just came from a show at The Stanley. He is a true wordsmith and performer but I wanted more spirits and less personal stories. Albeit he is a wonderful storyteller as well, but with only a little over an hour to delve into the supernatural, I was left definitely wanting more from the dead!
Dianne – Thanks for the feedback. I haven’t seen his spirit show. I’ve only seen his “magic” performances. I can see why you’d be upset, however, if you wanted more spooky, and less personal stuff. As a performer myself, I try to weave some of my personal-ness into the show, but people come to my show to see magic, or mind-reading, or whatever, and not to get a complete bio of me. Just a mini bio. 🙂