Random I-Tunes Song of the Moment: The Final Countdown by Europe

Europe, Jeff . . . Really? . . . Yes . . . Europe! Which is where Peter Eggink is from, I think. You know . . . the effect is good if it works. Here's the problem. The gimmick that I got looks so bad that it won't fool anyone for a second. However, the way the gimmick is used, it may just actually fly by . . . it's kind like a Th*** Tip in that regard. Sure it looks nothing like the real thing, but if you do it right, nobody will see it anyway. Well the Prophecy gimmick is kind of like that.

Just reading the instructions however and examining the gimmick . . . I was unimpressed. But, upon watching the demo video online, the effect could be done exactly as shown in the demo and be very effective. The gimmicked card box could also be useful for other effects and possibilities if you're creative. I considered throwing out the other part of the gimmick and just keeping the gimmicked box for a totally different idea I had.

Had I not watched the video demo, I would have given this a rubble rating and maybe 1 star. However, after seeing it in action, I realize that the booklet doesn't do it justice and should have come with either a DVD or at least online instructional video.

One other weirdness about this effect is the fact that the spectator signs a blue card, yet the red folded card ends up being the signed card. I think it adds a level of confusion to the effect and brings nothing positive to the effect from what I could tell. I will say, however, that the handling of the signed card and the card control method was very clever and worthy of consideration.

So as you can see, I'm kind of hot and cold on this one. Oh . . . and one other thing: you'll have to be very well acquainted with the Mercury Card F***. So, here's the deal. If you like the basic effect of having a card folded on the table as a prediction, and then that card ends up being a signed card that the spectator signed after the folded prediction was on the table, then get Jay Sankey's Paperclipped rather than this. However, watch the online demo. If you like the effect and want to spend $35.00 on the gimmick, then do it. Just keep in mind that in order to do it, you must always have your card case. You must always have this special gimmick, and although the ad copy says 'everything is examinable,' that is simply not true. They cannot look at the card box, but in all likelihood they probably won't want to.

Final Verdict:
2.5 stars with a status of gem-ish.