What's more awesome than Stryper covering Iron Maiden's The Trooper? Not too much folks, rest assured. Doug Conn's Built To Last DVD, while pretty freakin' awesome, doesn't quite make Stryper-covering-Maiden status, but it's still awesome.

Production/Product Quality

This two DVD set comes in one of those tri-fold cardboard cases that have the plastic disk cases stuck to it using silicon glue boogers. I'm not a fan of this kind of case. The disks tend to not stay in place. But the rest of the product quality is excellent. The videos are well lit, well mic'd, well choreographed and well produced. The menu navigation is super clean. The effects were well taught, and in many cases multiple variations of an effect are given. From a quality perspective, there's really nothing to complain about. It's very well made.

A Few Things That Bugged Me

The price is a bit steep. I've seen 2 disk sets that came with needed props for less than $50. Speaking of needed props, there are at least two effects on the first DVD (all card stuff) that require some gaffed cards. These are not standard gaffs that you'll have kicking around. Conn gives us some places to get the gaffs and also tells you how to make them. However, I think that if the gaffs were included, the $50 price point would have been much more justified.

Finally, in the second DVD, as part of a routine, Conn does a cool one-handed rubber band flourish. In the explanation, he gives the history of it, and then says, that it's not his to teach. Then he follows that by saying to just Google it to learn how to do the flourish. I already knew about Google before this DVD. I don't need to pay someone to tell me about it. If it's not his place to teach it, then it's not really Google's place either unless it takes you to the creator (probably long dead) teaching it. So my simple point is that I think he should have just taught it.

Broad Overview

Though the above things were definitely issues with me, this DVD set is still overall a very good product.

Disk One:
Other than Weighing The Aces all of the effects on disk one were extremely clear, motivated and had a nice logical flow to them. The aforementioned effect was a bit convoluted, and the effect was a bit unclear.

The methods taught are pretty simple and straightforward not requiring any crazy level of sleight of hand. The effects are extremely visual and beautiful to look at, and as an added bonus, Doug Conn is easy to watch. Though his presentational patter was not earth-shattering, it's clear that he actually has spent time thinking about it. This is a breath of fresh air from all those magicians out there who think that giving an overly detailed play by play description of every single thing they do without ever taking a breath. Thank you Mr. Conn for that.

Each effect (other than Weighing The Aces) had at least one or two little "things" or "moments" or "somethings" that made it special and unique and very much worthy of any magician's repertoire. Just when you think he's about to do a "standard" effect, you get a pleasant surprise as you see what he's really doing, and how it's such a great improvement over the "standard."

Further, he has a section where he covers some little touches on Vernon's Triumph. He has a couple of nice ideas, but the real treat was that this was the first time I've ever seen Vernon's push through false shuffle performed properly. Conn does it very well, and he explained it in a way that made it so clear to me what I've been doing wrong. Thank you Mr. Conn for that. Finally, hands down, the best thing on this disk is Flush Brush. It's so pretty, so beautiful, and so magical. Prelude is another fun one that I think most people will relate with. It takes the deck of cards and calendar similarities idea to a visual and meaningful level without claiming that the deck of cards is a Soldier's Bible.

Disk Two:
A nice handful of non-card effects (and a matrix) can be found on the second disk. There are quite a bit of magical moments and clean coin vanishes and techniques taught. Further, Conn has some fun work on the sponge bunnies. He also has a very commercial and super clever effect using four Scrabble games pieces. This is probably the most clever idea on this DVD. It's a super super visual matrix style effect with built in presentational lines, and several amazingly stunning moments. The best part is that it's pretty darn easy to do.

I wasn't a huge fan of a lot of the coin work . . . though some of the alternate versions taught were more appealing in method making them a little more likeable for my taste. However, a lot of the coin work wasn't structured as well as his other material. Some of the coin stuff was a bit convoluted and unclear. However, he did teach a couple of cool moves, particularly the Spin Doctor move for a coins across (i.e., coins to coffee cup) routine. All in all, the material is commercial, doable, and taught well.

Final Thoughts

I like Doug Conn. I've never met him, but he just seems like a nice likeable guy who would be cool to chill with. Based on this DVD set, I know 2 things. One, he's a smart, clever, creative guy who thinks a lot about magic. Two he's very talented from a technical perspective; he's very comfortable with his sleight of hand skills and has clearly put in the practice time. I love that he's a proponent of having a healthy book library. I like his style. I like how smart his adaptations and original effects are. So if you're looking for some very cool and new ideas that are doable, and powerful, you can stop your journey. You have arrived.

Final Verdict:
4 Stars With a Stone Status of Gem.