Magic Tricks

Just for background, I have been actively performing for 4 1/2 years now, approx. 2 years at the Magic Castle, so I am no amateur giving a review. I, and along other performers, have seen Paul's other work, The Art of Astonishment , which was really amazing and at the same time really funny. But in contrast to see this product is "A REAL LETDOWN". Others who have bought this dvd will acknowledge this.

First, some of the effects are not practical or take TOO much set-up every time to perform. Second, and let me stress this, that there are TOO many gimmicks. Some of which you have to make, others you have to give away (since they signed it). Other effects are just not possible to do unless you have these objects. For me as a performer, it is good to have effects that are practical, simple, and, what I was desiring, a lot of impromptu work.

What I had noticed was that Paul Harris is not in any of the actual performances from what I had watched so far. For a lot of the performances it was Bro Gilbert, or Wayne H. among others. This does not hurt the quality of the performance...for the most part. The only trouble I had was when Bro would continually overemphasize "the already known". For example, "this is a normal pack of cards" among others examples you will find. It was really annoying because you just wanted him to get to the point. Third, and this point can be debated. When you are "watching" many of the performances from when Bro Gilbert is on the beach, it is VERY hard to focus on his performances,because frankly many of the women are in bikinis. I am not focusing on the trick but rather am "being distracted", and lose the whole idea of what is happening.

Forth, for some, if not many of the tricks, there is no logical reason for why some of the objects are used. Since there is no reason, it makes people question WHY you took out that object. A good example is in one effect, the name escapes me, where you say to the spectator if it would be amazing if jumped to the pocket. When it does not work, you instantly say "then let me do something with some cards". Get the point?

In conclusion, I am not proud of my purchase. I do not like to be held down by objects that are necessities to performing the effect. I like to perform just as if I was "On the spot" (even though sounding cliche). A true and what I call "real" magician is one who carries nothing more than a pack of cards in their pocket with little or no set-up, a few good jokes or patter lines to amplify every trick he does, and miracles that I personally believe are powerful because they did not need the aid of some object, tool, etc. to make it possible. If you are swaying on buying this product I say you should put your money to good use and check out instead Paul's Art of Astonishments collection. There you will find Paul's real potential and what he should REALLY be remembered for.