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Details

Price$29.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up, Mentalism
Date AddedSep 30, 2022

Mental Block

Dan Harlan

Penguin Magic

(Based on 1 review)
Dan Harlan is arguably one of the most creative magicians on the planet. When he sets his mind to a time-tested effect, the result is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Forget everything you know about the color vision box because you are about to experience a revolution in remote viewing. Now in a handsome wooden finish, the Color Vision Box becomes one of the most beautiful props in your collection. This is Mental Block by Dan Harlan.

Here’s what happens:

The magician introduces a small wooden box and block to the audience. Both objects are completely examinable. The magician has the audience place the block inside the box while remembering which color is face-up in the box. The magician is instantly able to tell exactly which color is face up. As a kicker, the block completely vanishes. In an encore, the magician is able to divine the identity of any object the audience chooses to place in the box. It’s an astonishing multiphase effect.

The Color Vision Box has earned a spot in nearly every magic kit because it’s easy to do and baffling for laypeople. Dan Harlan’s routine, based around the senses, not only brings an engaging presentation to the effect but also a gorgeous prop that you are going to want to perform with over and over again. The kickers that Dan has added ramp this effect up to be a true closer. The vanish of the block stuns audiences. Being able to use the box to identify other objects makes this a true worker. Plus you’ll learn some amazing techniques that make Mental Block a real fooler. The block has been designed specifically by Dan Harlan to give you number, color, letter, shape, and object revelations. The box and the block are a beautiful wood finish that makes it both a fascinating prop to perform with, as well as the perfect display piece. This is a modern classic that was born to perform. This is Mental Block by Dan Harlan.

Reviews

Stephan Sloan

Official Reviewer

Oct 22, 2022

Overview

I have always been impressed when a creator can take what would be by today’s standards, a “toss away” trick and creates a masterpiece out of it. Mental Block by Dan Harlan is one of those masterpieces. Dan Harlan has taken the classic but often overlooked Color Vision Cube and turned it on its head. If you've ever thought the Color Vision Cube was a hackneyed, cheap magic trick, take a look at Mental Block and rethink it.

Effect

Mental Block is a multi-phase performance piece that will entertain and baffle your audience. Whether you are performing for 2, 3 or 20 people Mental Block will engage your audience with incredibly perplexing challenges imposed on your five senses. Unlike the extremely limited possibilities of the standard Color Vision Cube, the Mental Block routine utilizes the premise of testing your sense of sight, touch, sound, hearing and taste. The routine has been designed to segue from one effect to another in a sensible and systematic way to allow you to deliver a six phase performance piece.

Method

If you are at all familiar with the handlings of the original Color Vision Cube the handling of Mental Block is the same. If you can hold the block in your hand, it is well within the capabilities of a beginner magician. There really is no sleight of hand needed and the most difficult part is learning the timing and psychology of when to “make the move”. The only consideration one must take into account is the ability to see in the environment you are performing in.

Product Quality

The product is well made and thought out. Instead of just solid colors on the cube sides, Harlan used colors, numbers, shapes and pictures to expand upon the possible revelations. The cube itself looks like an ordinary child’s wooden play block. The box is also made of wood and is finished fairly well. It is uniform in color all around and there are no telltale signs where one can tell one side from another. The downloadable, instructional video is 28 minutes long and covers all the handlings, scripting and routine structure one needs to perform Mental Block. The photography, lighting and sound are all very good and sufficient for the effect.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy claims it is a classic reborn and it is absolutely true. Not only does Mental Block add so many dimensions that the classic Color Vision Cube cannot ever have, but Mental Block will outperform similar electronic versions costing hundreds of dollars. There is no doubt that Mental Block is a winner effect.
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