Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Those Nights By Skillet

Seriously, who brings a rat trap to a restaurant and sets it on the table?! I don't think the manager would be too keen on that idea.

However, let me say this: I think the idea has potential in the right venue. I'll talk more about that in a minute. In the meantime, let me point out that the performance segment on the DVD totally fell flat. Curtis got more applause when he took the Rat Trap out of his case than he did when he found the card in the trap.

The effect is that a real Rat Trap is set. The deck of cards is set next to the trigger. You , the magician, grab the deck and "magically" find the selected signed card before the trap goes off.

I imagine that it's quite a scene when the trap snaps and all the cards go flying in the air while you're left holding the selection. However, if you buy the DVD you'll never know what that looks like because the trap failed during the performance. My thinking is this: They could have shot another performance take. Call me crazy, but I don't think it would have been a problem.

Ok, so for some positive feedback. It's clear to me that Curtis is a working pro. He knew how to build suspense, how to really interact with the audience and have fun with them. He even recovered reasonably well when the trap didn't spring. So don't "hear" that I'm criticizing Curtis as a magician. I think he's a great performer.

I'm not so sure that he's a great teacher, however. He seemed very unrehearsed, choppy, unsure of himself, and just plain awkward during the teaching segment. Also, every other phrase out of his mouth during the explanation was "we are not recommending that you do this." or "it is dangerous" etc. We get it! It's stupid and dangerous to put your hand in a rat trap. I think there was a bit of overkill on the disclaiming.

During the explanation portion, there was a lot of awkward and superfluous language. For example, I remember once watching Frank Garcia on the Stars of Magic videos and he actually said, "I'm going to, by the process of utilizing a pen, have you sign this card." By the process of utilizing a pen! Who talks like that! Crazy! Anyway, there were a few cases of similar type language on The Rat Pack during the explanation. I think it was just due to Curtis being a little nervous talking to the camera.

During the performance section, Curtis discussed, graphically, how a trap "snaps the vertebrae of a large rodent." That is just something that I don't want to hear while I'm eating at a restaurant. However, as I mentioned, this piece has potential for the right venue.

This could work in a house party for sure, a smaller corporate environment, hospitality suite, Victor (the people who manufacture the trap), etc. Curtis did a great job building the tension just before the moment the trap would snap. Unfortunately there was no climax because the trap didn't snap.

Sorry Curtis. You definitely are a seasoned pro and a great performer, but on this particular DVD, I just don't see the value.

Final Verdict:
2 Stars with a Stone Status of Rubble