Product description : I’ve been a huge fan of Matthew Wright’s magic since I saw his act in Blackpool this year, I think he’s an excellent performer and his personality and character is amazing. This is his last release, which allows you to do a double “prediction” of a card and a thought of drawing. You first ask people to think about something a kid could draw, without restricting them on the theme or subject. You then ask them to cut the pack and you turn the card over. Fortunately, this is your favorite card ! Spectators won’t believe you but you can now remove a card from an envelope that have been on the table since the beginning and it’s the same card ! And when you turn it over, it has the drawing people thought of on it ! This is a very cool routine with a strong impact but will it fit you ? Let’s find out !
Price and where to buy it : This is sold at $29.95 and you can find it in nearly every Murphy's magic « partner » shop !
What you get : You get a ziplock bag, with a piece of cardboard inside on which the link for the explanation video is printed. The video is really well done, with multiple live performances, it helps me to trust a lot more into the trick. Matthew does a great job explaining all the subtleties and ways you can produce the card at the end. You’re also provided with the special deck, which has been printed by the USPCC, you also get a “tool” so you can prepare the deck, it will take you about 10 to 15 minutes to prep it but it’s a one time preparation and once it’s made, you don’t have to do it again. The deck quality is standard bicycle, the back design is a Maiden one so pretty close to the bicycle one. I wish they had prepared the deck rather than providing us with the tool in order to do so, but at least they provided us with the tool. You also get a special envelope, I think they called it the “Mullica Envelope” so you can produce the card at the end from it. Overall, I’m pretty happy with what I received, it’s not just a random deck but something that needed time and work.
The pros and the cons : Here is the core of my review, let's begin with the cons, as I will usually be doing, I prefer to keep the good things for the end.
THE CONS :
[if !supportLists]– [endif]As with many tricks out there, this is a one trick deck, you have to specially carry it in order to perform this effect and you can’t do anything else with it.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]They provided you with the deck unprepared (which can be a good thing, look in the pros) so you have to prep it, it’s not that long but it’s something I would have liked to avoid.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]It’s not a 100% sure fire for the drawing but if you do your work correctly, you shouldn’t be stuck in a bad situation.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]Packaging could be a lot better, I don’t like things thrown into a ziplock bag like this.
THE PROS :
[if !supportLists]– [endif]This trick has a huge impact on people, think about it, you get a double climax ! First, you have the same card they selected and on the back of it, you draw what they have been thinking, this is as close as real magic could be.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]The fact the deck isn’t prepare allow you to decide which stuff you want to use, I think the one provided with the package isn’t the best one and there are better options out there.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]Some memory work is needed but Matthew gives you a sheet you can stuck on your deck so you have nothing to remember.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]Without giving anything away, the work for the drawing have been done but they left some options so you can draw your own ! It gives you more flexibility on your presentation and routine.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]There are several ways to produce the final card, whether it’s from your wallet, your envelope or anywhere else ! I like the fact you can do it the way you like so it suits the best your personality.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]I saw people were complaining about the marking on the cards but I do find them to be completely visible, you don’t even need them if you do little bit of mental work during the routine.
Overall rating : It’s a very good trick, the impact on people is greater than I expected but I just can’t see myself carrying this deck for this effect, 3/4 hearts.
As for the difficulty level, it depends whether you’re using the sheet on the deck and which “out” do you use to produce the card, I would say it can vary from 2-4/5 stars.
Similar products : Visions is based on a quite known gimmicked deck, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it used with drawing, I think the idea is very clever.