Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Paradise City By Guns N' Roses

I have to get this off my chest . . . I'm probably going to come across as a Snooty American, but for some reason, I've been getting a ton of videos for review where the magicians cannot properly pronounce a handful of words. It's a source of pain for me. Watching (listening) to these videos is very painful and very annoying. So when watching this DVD, you'll need a translator . . . a Rosette Stone (Cold Magic):

Sorry folks . . . it had to be done. It's worse than gang-bang-slang. It just annoys the heck out of me. It won't really impact my overall star rating because I'm rating the product itself. But it will have a small impact simply because it made the DVD very annoying to watch. Fanks for listening to my faughts and allowing me to foroly vent.

Fortunately, that's pretty much the only complaint I have about this product. Everyfing else is excellent including the price. I love that it's a palindrome (31.13). I love that something so Chaotic is so symmetrically priced.

Overview

Basically, you get Kieron Johnson's take on the classics (e.g., Sponge Balls, Rising Card, Metal Bending, Triumph, Card in Fruit, etc.). But don't let that scare you away. His take on these classics is very much worthy of your attention.

A Few Details

In each effect Johnson brings to the table a nuance, angle, subtlety, psychological angle, etc. that adds to the effect. He has some very clever tips and pointers for fork bending. He also has a super visual fork twist that happens while the spectator holds the fork. It's freaky looking. The fork actually moves and twists in the spectator's hands, and it's done with nothing but a borrowed fork . . . no gimmicks, threads, magnets, nothing . . . just a fork.

His sponge ball routine, though a bit sloppy has a nice addition that sets you up for a very strong kicker. In Re Pressure (modification of Danny Garcia's phone in balloon effect, Pressure), the phone actually is inside the balloon and can be handed to the spectator while sealed in the balloon. The phone then vanishes and is found inside of his wallet.

In The Devil's Triumph the story/premise (though poorly presented) is very clever and has the potential to really hook the audience. I think even the most seasoned pro would find a few tips and pointers in this, and just about every other routine on the DVD.

Product Quality

Production quality is fine. The DVD is super easy to navigate. The light and audio is good for the most part. Some of the performances are a bit loud due to the background noise at the restaurant, but the explanation sections are clean and clear.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is very legitimate. Very honest and accurate. Not much else to say here. I tip my hat to RSVP and Kieron Johnson for the integrity.

Methods

Everything on this DVD is well within the reach most performers. There is very little sleight of hand. Just a card force here and there, and a little bit of misdirection. That's about it as far as technique goes. They are taught well and thoroughly with the exception of the production of a cube of ice. He performed it, but never taught it. I was a bit frustrated by that because it was a great effect.

Johnson is a clever thinker, and his magic is clearly his own. If you decide to purchase this, you'll likely have to modify the routines to suit your character which is likely not anything like his. He's a bit of a clumsy performer. Some of it's an act, but most of it is real. That aside, the methods are very solid, doable and not pipe dreamy at all.

Final Thoughts

There's a good mix of visual, cerebral, and fun magic on this DVD. There's some excellent flash paper stuff, and so much other material that is visual and extremely commercial and super easy to do.

If you like the effects described and you're looking for some easy to do commercial magic with high impact, this is an excellent choice.

Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.