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Mind Twister

Peter 8

(Based on 1 review)
The magician shows three everyday objects to the audience (let's say a coin, a lighter and a key) and gives a prediction to be kept by a spectator. The magician asks the spectator to freely choose any of the three objects. The chosen object almost matches the prediction, but the prediction shows that the chosen object is supposed to be twisted. The magician then twists the chosen object in front of the audience to match the prediction.

Comes complete with gimmick lighter, standard lighter, full color prediction card and instruction sheet.

Reviews

P.T. Murphy

Official Reviewer

Jan 13, 2007

I often complain about the hype to effect ratio of a magic trick. Often the hype of an effect overshadows the magic being sold to the consumers.

The one good thing that “Mind Twister” has going for it is that the creators do not make any promises. In fact they do very little to “hype” the effect they are marketing. Which is a plus for them as the effect “Mind Twister” is kind of lame-o.

Here is the description: The magician shows three everyday objects to the audience (let's say a coin, a lighter and a key) and gives a prediction to be kept by a spectator. The magician asks the spectator to freely choose any of the three objects. The chosen object almost matches the prediction, but the prediction shows that the chosen object is supposed to be twisted. The magician then twists the chosen object in front of the audience to match the prediction.

I am not giving anything away in letting you know that the chosen object is a plastic lighter. (A picture of the twisted lighter is right there on the package.)

So what is the effect? A prediction? A twisting?

Well both I guess.

The directions are very sketchy and assume that the person who has purchased “Mind Twister” knows something about forcing objects and secretly switching one item for another. The directions for the switch read: “At this moment all the attention will be focused on the spectator, so you can safely execute the switch.”

An attempt is made to describe how to force the desired object. But it is a lame attempt and assumes that the consumer even has a clue about what "forcing" is.

What if you are new to magic? Or simply are not familiar with the sleights and techniques required for this effect?

The creators of “Mind Twister” have missed a golden opportunity to educate their customers. Not only could that have offered a magic effect, but as an added bonus the consumer could have gotten a brief lesson in forcing and switchin g. What the consumer thought was going to be a FUN purchase has now become a challenge. It would have been nice if the producers of "Mind Twister" had at least suggested a book or DVD that could help us learn how to force and switch.

Did I mention that the lighters they provide don’t even light? What is the point of performing magic with objects that do not even behave as they would under ordinary circumstances? How can I possibly hold a lighter in my hand without it lighting?

If the creators revise the instruction sheet and provide us with a way to get lighters that actually light, then maybe ...MAYBE...they might be on to something. But to assume so much of the consumer after you have taken their hard earned cash is bad form.

When I make a magic purchase I expect to get value for my money. I want complete instructions and props that I do not have to make excuses for. With sketchy instructions and props that don’t really work as “regular” items, I don’t feel “Mind Twister” is worth the price tag.
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