Although there's nothing revolutionary here, I think any one who does card tricks will likely get their money's worth, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's look at a few things:

1. Production Quality


2. Overall Experience


3. Ad Copy Integrity


4. Effects

Production Quality

The lighting, sound and overall production were excellent. The performances were shot in a crowded venue so occasionally it was a bit noisy, but nothing to worry about. The only real complaint I had was a weird "feature" of the DVD menu. Although it was simple and easy to read, etc., there were no "previous page" buttons, only "next page" buttons.

Also, there was no "main page" button except on the last page. So if you clicked on "chapters" and wanted to go back to the menu, the only way to do it would be to click through all three pages of the chapters section. Then finally on the last page is a "main page" link. Other than that, the menu was fine; the production quality was excellent.

Overall Experience

The video is 2 and half hours long; it's 15 effects all with cards and in only two effects do you need extra cards from another deck. Otherwise, everything can be done with one regular deck of cards. The methods used for the most part are very simple and very practical. Also, one of my favorite things about the DVD was the fact that there was a "toolbox" section that covered in depth handling of a handful of moves that were used throughout the effects. During the teaching of the effects John Carey would briefly explain the move and then refer you to the toolbox.

What I like about this is that it's a nice balance between the two extremes of not teaching the sleights at all (i.e., just referring you to the sleights section) and teaching the sleights in depth in every trick that uses them (i.e., too much repetition). This is a nice middle ground: briefly cover it in each effect . . . teach it in depth in one area.

Another thing I really liked is the fact that Carey seemed to put a lot of effort and time into proper crediting and history. From a performance perspective (which does NOT impact my final star rating), Carey was kind of hit and miss. Some effects had great patter lines (a few key lines/phrases) that really made the effect. Then other times he used hackneyed stock lines and dry boring presentations that were all about bossing the spectator around and telling them what to do, and did a the standard "put and take" presentation that I'm not fond of. The explanations were very clear and easy to follow, but were a bit dry at times, so drink some caffeine while you watch it.

Finally, he has a quirky habit (as do we all - myself included) of saying "Something . . . . . . like . . . . . . so." As my loyal readers know, I only mention things like this for 2 reasons. One - in case John Carey is reading with the hope that he'll take my critique to heart and improve his performance. Two - to prevent everyone else who reads this from picking up his bad habit(s). Also watch out for the "thank you very much indeed" after every trick. Please . . . don't say thank you unless/until someone applauds or makes some sort of "nice job" type of comment.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is honest in its claims. It refers to the magic as solid, practical and strong. Obviously those terms are subjective, but I definitely 100% agree that the effects are practical (with one exception mentioned below in the effects section). No pipe dreams . . . doable card magic . . . both statements are true. The only thing I take issue with is that it claims everything can be done with a regular deck of cards. That's true in the sense that none of the cards are gaffed cards. However, cards that have extras from other packs (e.g., Kollossal Sillier! and A Trick With No Name!). The ad copy says regular deck of cards, and implies even further that you just grab a deck and go . . .

I'm not too upset about the claim, but I just wanted to make sure you know what you're getting. Many of the effects require setups, and at least two effects require one or more cards of a different colored back deck. Nothing too crazy, however.

Effects

If you're a fan of the Ambitious Card Plot, you'll probably appreciate this effect. It's a simple streamlined Ambitious Card with a very easy and visual move by John Carey called Outjogged Ambitious. It's a very visual rising of the card from the center of the pack to the top of the pack while the card is out-jogged. Further, there's a nice kicker ending to the effect that is worth looking at. I'm personally not a fan of the Ambitious Card (I know - I'm the only guy in the world). However, if you like the plot, you'll be happy with this effect.

This is a simple packet effect with a couple of really good "emotional hooks" as Vernon would say. It's easy to do, has some nice patter lines that tie things together, and ends with a great kicker. This is a very solid routine that I think most card guys would use almost 100% exactly as Carey presents it. There are a couple of moments in the routine that are not as convincing as I would like, but it's minor enough, and the kicker is big enough that it pretty much becomes a moot point.

This is another one where the scripting is very good and simple, but helps move the plot along and has some great lines. The effects itself is a very easy and very cerebral CAAN type of effect. I'm considering adding this to my repertoire. However, regardless of my like or dislike of the effect, it's very well constructed, very practical and very easy.

This is one effect that is not as practical as the others. It requires a prediction written on an odd-backed playing card in your wallet. Plus you need an odd-backed playing card in the deck that will get signed. Thus you'll have to continue to replace the odd-backed card in the deck if you plan to repeat the effect during the night - strollers beware. All that aside, however, I think most people will appreciate this effect and its comedic spin off of Kenton Knepper's Kollossal Killer.

This is, in my opinion, a better handling of Larry Jennings's Ambitious Classic. It has a nice kicker at the end and is just all around smoother. So if you like the original, there's a good chance you'll update to this handling after seeing it.

This is another effect that requires a handful of stranger cards in the deck, but is likely worth it. It's a nice handling of the classic color changing deck plot. You are left with one extra "wrong colored" card in the deck when you're done, but it's easily managed. The advantage of this version over others is that it's not just a bunch of "convincers" to "prove" the color of the deck. Rather it's a solid effect that has a surprise ending that helps "clean up" the extra "wrong colored" cards (all but one of them).

If you like the lie detector plot - I Do - you'll like this. It's another one with good patter and scripting and verbal choreography (if there is such a thing).

Final Thoughts

I've intentionally only covered some of the effects. There are 8 more effects I did not cover. For the most part, they're all structured well and have good elements of scripting. There are a couple that are very procedural and thus have the potential to be dry, but again, it's all about taste. The bottom line is that for only $30 bucks, you get 15 effects, most of which can be done with a single regular deck of cards and minimal technique. If you're a card person, I have every confidence that you'll find something on here that you'll like.

Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM.