One of the things that I have found over the last year or two as a fairly regular Penguin shopper is
the value in instructional DVDs. I feel disappointed that this one wasn't obviously marked as for
beginners (which it is).
The reason for the low score, however, is because this DVD doesn't
really provide any instruction. Disembodied hands gesture to indicate how the effects are achieved,
but without actual explanation, we are left to suffer the melodramatic background music. There are
times, too, when the gesticulations that are meant to serve as instruction do little to clarify how
the effect is meant to be performed.
The medium of DVD - unlike instructional books - can
use both audio and visual information to enlighten the viewer. "Underground" completely fails to
take advantage of this fact. In doing so, it comes across as the mere exposure of secrets rather
than the teaching of magic.
14 of 14 magicians found this helpful.
In truth, there are some great tricks on this DVD, especially for beginners. But, in order to learn
the tricks, you have to suffer through some of the worst music ever, and absolutely no vocal
instruction. This made things like card cuts almost impossible to learn, and I repeatedly became
very frustrated trying to learn some of the tricks that could have been a lot easier if I had some
"help" from the person on screen, who's hands are the only things you can see. Overall, I just can't
understand why Magic Makers made this DVD without vocalization.
10 of 10 magicians found this helpful.
Man there have been a LOT of bad reviews about this DVD. There are plenty of tricks I've gained
that I fool people with all the time at work. I first saw this DVD as I was just getting into
magic, and I'm glad that I did. Tricks I do with the rubber bands always entertain kids, and the
spoon bend gets EVERYONE.
Pros
- Most tricks use everyday household items, easy to find
- Good balance of card and non-card tricks
Cons
- There's no dialogue
- Music
sounds like a bad B-Rated movie about disarming a bomb
- Some tricks require a lot of practice
- The price is a bit much
All in all, I would say if you're just getting started into
magic, get this DVD. Great for beginners, boring for the experienced.
7 of 7 magicians found this helpful.
This DVD doesn't deserve its title. Maybe they thought not saying a word could be cool and we would
like it, but I'm sorry but no, it doesn't work at all. I had to rewind, slow-motion to get some of
the effect, some cuts are not even filmed over the shoulder. Imagine trying to practice something
from a different angle of what you're supposed to see and with no explanation. I am really
disapointed in that DVD. I gave it 2 stars only because I got it for free and I learned a new effect
that I think kids might like.
4 of 4 magicians found this helpful.
I actually like this DVD. I don't think anything on here will blow people away, but for a beginner
magic DVD it is excellent. This is a good variety of effects on this DVD so for the beginner who
isn't really sure what they like, there is a taste of everything. For the price and variety that you
receive this DVD is a great way to go.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I got this in a Penguin Magic bonus giveaway. While I knew many of the tricks on it, there were a
few that I didn't know and liked the use of no talking to demonstrate how to do the tricks. I ended
up giving this away to a friend who was just starting out in magic and its really sparked his
interest for more. If you know of someone who wants to get into magic, this would make a great,
inexpensive gift.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
This DVD is full of great material, too bad I already knew most of the tricks. You learn a mini
lesson in metal bending, a great way to start off with mentalism, cuts with cards, not much for
beginners, and even rubberband tricks. All in all this is for BEGINNERS! But a great buy! Get this
if you are not familiar with metal bending, mentalism, and money tricks. I think the Underground
Bill, Magic Key Bend, and Underground Vanish are great!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
Pros: The Effects are mostly solid foundational beginner effects.
The reason I think it is
great for a beginners gift, is because the “atmospheric music and table decor” gives some “woo woo”
(as Eugene Burger called it 😉) for a burgeoning magic to be “entertained” with the production.
Cons: The looping spook house music and the freaking little white mouse scampering around on
the table in periphery, is distracting (at least to me).
Chuckle: The Key Bend routine is
funny because the performance obviously does NOT utilize the bending gimmick. When the “gimmick” is
used in the explanation; the hands can NOT bend the key and takes several tries to bend the
key...even taking two hands (which spectators would see everything you do! 😂)...but it is a good
laugh!
Don’t be so critical! It has some nuggets and if played right, they will play! The
bill switch and Ash on palm are workers! Just use the info and practice it!
Blessings
Steph
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
I like it a little,
The tricks are not bad, but the DVD looks like a collage of various effects
of other dvds of other authors
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
I teach magic camps and workshops and there were some very good, very teachable tricks on this DVD.
I learned a few card moves I had seen but did not know. Got it as a $5 cool box so it was worth WAY
more than I paid for it. The wordless presentation gets a little old, but overall, I'm glad I got
it!. Clear directions, good magic, fun DVD.
Today, when you order "Underground Magic", you'll instantly be emailed a Penguin Magic gift certificate. You can spend it on anything you like at Penguin, just like cash. Just complete your order as normal, and within seconds you'll get an email with your gift certificate.
FREE SHIPPING TO THE UNITED STATES. This product qualifies for PENGUIN FLAT-PACK™ (World-wide free shipping)
Why bother with a DVD?
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No Words!!!!!!!
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Underground gem
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Great DVD for beginners
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