Let's face it, if you can solve the Rubik's cube, you look like a genius. Even today after the cube
being out for about 30 years, people still think you're a a genius if you can solve that darn cube
in a couple of minutes.
Think back to the first time you saw the cube and you saw some kid
solve the thing in just a few minutes. You were blown away. I know I was. The first time I saw it
solved was in the early 80's, and it was a Chinese exchange student name Mike Davies. He would
charge a quarter to solve your cube. It was worth it just to watch him do it.
Imagine
taking that to the next step and solving it blindfolded! That would have even impressed Mike Davies.
Well that's exactly what you learn from Mark Elsdon's Rubik Remembered. Trust me on this: the
blindfold part of this is the easy part. It's learning the cube that is the hard part.
Basically this DVD is teaching you to solve the cube. Once you learn to solve the cube, he
briefly covers the blindfold portion of the effect. I've been a cube solver for years (best time:
40.17 seconds). I know how to do it blindfolded, and I've always wanted to add it to my act, but I
just haven't done so yet. Currently in my act, I do solve the cube, but not blindfolded.
After seeing the reaction Mark got performing this live, it's time to move forward and put this
in my act. The beauty of this is that it can be done in a strolling situation because there is
nothing to reset. You just carry the cube and the blindfold around (neither are included with the
DVD), and you're good. You solve the cube at each table, therefore you're ready to go at the next
table.
It also works really well on stage, platform, house party, etc... it's the perfect
effect. The catch is you've got to learn the cube and learn it well. There are tons of techniques to
solve the cube, some faster than others, some more easily learned than others, etc. The technique
Mark teaches is a combination of two different techniques that I was already familiar with.
The system he teaches is pretty easily learned, but you'll definitely need to be doing a lot of
rewinding to make sure you get it. If you learn this technique and put in the practice time, you
will be able to solve the cube in about 2 to 3 minutes. That seems quick, but when you're asking an
audience to stare at you for three minutes, it can feel much longer. The technique I use would shave
about a minute off of that time. I average about 1 minute each time.
I don't say this to
brag; I say this to let you know that in order for this effect to really play, you've got to master
the cube, and it will take some serious practice. I've, literally, solved the cube thousands and
thousand and thousands of times. I'm sure Mark has as well. You don't get good without the practice.
This isn't a packet-trick-that-I-can-put-in-my-gig-tonight-30-minutes-after-I-open-it.
That, my friends, is the best part of this all. It will force you to practice. This is the kind
of effect that if you don't practice, you'll look like a complete idiot. There are no "outs" for a
screw up on this. Too many magi these days think they can buy a trick and perform it without
practicing. This is a solid cure for horrible disease. The best part is that, although it takes a
ton of practice, it's within the grasp of just about any performer.
As for the quality of
the product... superb, nicely shot, good camera angles, lighting, sound, etc. The only thing that
sort of bugged me a little bit is that Mark never looked up at the camera. Most of the shots were
close-ups on his hands, but the few that were wide shots, showed him looking down at the cube. It
looked like his eyes were closed the whole time... minor point, I know, but I'm thorough darn it!
If I were to add anything to this product, I would have had a section for advanced
techniques to improve your speed. I really think that speed is the key. Remember, the effect is
this: You look at a scrambled cube. You memorize the order. You solve it blindfolded. That's a
kick-butt effect no matter how long it takes. However, making the audience stare at you for an hour
would, obviously be silly. So there is a time limit to make this effect hit hard. I'd say about 2
minutes is the limit.
With a few additional pointers (not included on the DVD), you could
shave about a minute off of the time it takes using the technique Mark teaches. One last point: I've
taught several students over the years how to solve the cube. It's pretty easy to teach them when
you are sitting right next to them showing them and looking at their cube in real time. Doing it
over a DVD with no student is very tough, and Mark nailed it. I think he did a great job teaching a
tough subject through and even tougher medium.
Additionally, he just seems like a super
cool nice guy as an added bonus. If you ever wanted to learn to solve the cube, this is a great way
to learn it. If you want to add the cube to your act, blindfolded or not, get this DVD. Highly
recommended. Gem.
