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Cube FX

Karl Hein and John George

(Based on 2 reviews)


DVD1 - This extensive instructional DVD focuses on Karl Hein's professional three phase stand-up routine that he has performed around the world and on TV.

DVD2 - John George teaches his version of CUBE FX which regularly astonishes audiences. You will also learn an incredible close-up cube effect with a smartphone as well as be inspired by dozens of ideas and effects from two of magic's most innovative conjurors.

DVD3 - This DVD teaches beginners how to legitimately solve the cube and gives experienced cubers tips on how to improve their speed and do blindfold solves.

"I've seen Karl's CUBE FX in action at the Magic Castle and it slayed the wild group of party folk. You will be wise to add this hip and playful feature to your repertoire." - Jeff McBride Las Vegas Headliner

“Nothing to see here, move on people!”-Justin Willman

"As one of the more well known Rubik's Cube Magicians in the world.. I can Honestly say that Karl has the HOLY GRAIL in cube magic." - Steven Brundage

"Karl is one of my favorite magicians and this is one of my favorite effects in all of magic. I have never seen anything have more impact." Jon Armstrong

"I've watched this routine bring the house down and to their feet. It's a wonderful act unto itself." -Andrew Mayne

"Karl's work with the Rubik's cube operates on so many levels, it proves Abraham Lincoln was wrong. Karl can fool all of the people all of the time." - John Lovick

Reviews

James Sanden

Official Reviewer

Oct 13, 2015

Cube F/X by Karl Hein and John George is a 3 DVD set teaching some fantastic magic with a Rubik’s Cube. Taught are Mr. Hein’s signature routine, as well as Mr. George’s version with some significant modifications. Additional routines, ideas and approaches are included, as well as a comprehensive course on solving the Rubik’s Cube, including speed solving techniques, as well as a tutorial on solving the cube blindfolded.

The first disc covers Mr. Hein’s routine, during which a great deal of magic happens, including the performer’s cube matching a spectator’s randomly mixed cube, the cube becoming instantly solved in the magician’s hand, as well as having the cube magically match a random color picked by a spectator. It’s a fantastic routine, with much variety, both in effect as well as impact, including visual magic, amazing coincidence and a very powerful moment when the cube mysteriously identifies a merely thought of color.

The instruction on the DVD is absolutely top notch, continuing the trend Mr. Hein set in his previous independent releases. Both he and Mr. George clearly understand that working with a prop like the Rubik’s Cube can be potentially confusing and intimidating. Consequently, they are very clear in their instruction and deliberately organize the content in a pedagogical manner, introducing the basics before going on to more complex ideas, including beginning with an overview before adding in potentially distracting and confusing details. Working with the cube will also require reviewing the DVD content, which is made even easier with in-chapter navigation, cuing the viewer if he or she wants to fast forward to the description of just the technique. This is a welcome and appreciated addition to a project like this.

The method used in the second phase of Mr. Hein’s routine is similar in concept to others in print, but his particular version has much in its favor. Without going into too much detail, he constructed his “instant solve” method such that any pattern on the scrambled cube will be difficult to detect, as well designing it so that the “dirty work” is completed on an off beat. He also offers a wide range of presentational ideas and approaches to give the viewer options and food for thought on how to perform the “instant solve” portion of the routine, as well as a variety of subtleties, convincers and tips for performance.

The third phase of the routine, during which the cube magically becomes solved on a single side, that side matching the color a spectator merely thought of, is both novel and intriguing. The method is clever and utilizes some of the other principles taught on the DVD, as well as ideas created just for this phase. Being a practical performer, Mr. Hein offers a number of approaches and techniques to accomplish this effect, some of which require additional props while others do not, giving the viewer a variety of options. He also teaches what to do if something goes wrong (including if the spectator changes their mind.) Both this section and the previous section are packed full of practical, audience tested ideas, tips and recommendations to make the effects powerful and more effective.

After the overview of the method for his routine, Mr. Hein and Mr. George go into detail, outlining and explaining the specifics for how to perform the various phases. Again, the clarity and thought seen in this section show the amount of time and consideration put into organizing the instruction. In addition to clear summaries and detailed walk throughs, over-the-shoulder footage is included to maximize ease of learning the technique. Included are tips on practicing, as well as variations, and thoughts on speed and finger position. Also discussed are choreography, scripting and misdirection that can be used to cover the moves in performance. It’s truly a comprehensive tutorial on everything one would need to know to perform the routine.

The second disc begins with a performance by Mr. George of his version of Mr. Hein’s routine. Calling it a version is unfair, as, while it uses some of the same techniques and part of the method, he uses them in innovative ways and to much different effect. Mr. George’s version begins with him genuinely solving a spectator mixed cube in about thirty seconds. He then mixes up his cube so that it matches a spectator’s scrambled cube, instantly solves a cube in his hands, and finally a mixed cube, isolated in a paper bag, solves itself without his touching it. It’s quite a baffling finale.

The instruction for Mr. George’s version is as clear and comprehensive as the original handling, including tips, idea and recommendations gleaned from performing it countless times in the real world. However, unlike Mr. Hein’s routine, Mr. George’s method does require an extra something, which is not included or detailed, as it’s another performer’s release. However, the manner it’s used is quite clever and unconventional, and will fool those in the know. Just be aware that if you’d like to perform Mr. George’s version, another (relatively inexpensive) prop must be purchased.

The second disc also contains a variety of additional material, including a close up effect with the cube that has a photo change on the spectator’s phone (a la Asi Wind’s “Double Exposure,”) as well as extensive discussion regarding performing with the cube in a strolling situation versus on stage, blindfold cube solving, miscellaneous ideas, and a trove of information about the cube, including facts about the Rubik’s Cube, how it works, and how to repair and maintain your cube.

The final disc is a DVD previously released by Mr. George, teaching how to genuinely solve the Rubik’s Cube. The basic technique is clearly taught and the instruction is thorough. There is additional information on solving the cube quickly (“speed cubing”), including a PDF of additional algorithms for memorization, as well as a brief overview of how to solve the cube blindfolded.

Cube F/X is an in depth exploration of magic using the Rubik’s Cube that includes approaches to not only the “instant solve” and “matching cubes” effects you may have seen before, but also offers an unusual effect where the cube magically solves a thought of color on the cube, as well as several other routines. The instruction is excellent and the DVD is well organized for learning. It also includes a very comprehensive tutorial on solving the Rubik’s Cube, as well as many advanced approaches to speed up the solve as well as make it more theatrically interesting. The packaging doesn’t include a Rubik’s Cube, so keep in mind you’ll have to buy your own to perform the material. Given that, and the cost of the DVD set, investing in this is not inexpensive. However, the novelty of the effect, the quality of the magic and the excellent teaching make for an outstanding release. Of the recent Rubik’s Cube magic releases, this is my favorite. Highly recommended.
(Top ▲)

Jeff Stone

Official Reviewer

Sep 10, 2015

Overview

Three DVDs, tons of effects, 5 hours and $80 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

You're getting two routines and bunch of bonus ideas. First is Karl Hein's routine. In this 3 phase routine, you first have a spectator mix the cube which is placed in a bag. Snap the fingers, and bam, the cube is solved. Phase two is that you introduce a second cube, and quickly mix it up in just a few seconds only to reveal that it's mixed exactly like the cube that the spectator just mixed. Finally, a mixed cube is placed on a spectator's hand. They think of a color, and magically, that color becomes solved on the cube that is in their hand.


John George's routine is similar, but he introduces another marketed effect, The Enchanted Cube, to add an extra level to Hein's routine.

Method

Other than the need to use The Enchanted Cube for part of George's routine, there are no gimmicks required. You will have to supply your own Rubik's Cube for the routines. You'll need at least three identical cubes. I recommend the YJ GuanLong. It's $4.00 bucks, and moves like butter. I feel like I've said that before.


The effects in this DVD set range from self working to medium level of skill. They will take practice and it's helpful if you know how to solve the cube, but it's not 100% neccessary for you to do these effects.


The methods are very much within the grasp of any skill level, but it definitely does require some practice on your part. All good magic does. Some of the methods require you to solve one color, others require no solving skills whatsoever. With the multiple bonus ideas covered on the DVD, the methods can range anywhere from requiring one cube to multiple cubes.


Additionally, the method for "mixing" the cube is very deceptive, yet super simple to do. The method for "magically" solving the cube is also very simple and deceptive. Again, it will take practice. Some of the effects allow the spectator to mix the cube, while others do not.


The core method is extremely flexible and allows you to do a ton of different effects. Here are just a few that are shown on the video: behind the back solve, a cube in each hand . . . both solve instantly with just a shake of the hands, a cube held in your extended hand solves as you do a full body revolution, a mixed cube is placed on a spectator's hand and a picture is taken with her phone . . . a moment later the picture has changed to a solved cube (or just one thought of side solved), etc., etc.


Once you've mastered the core technique, the doors will open, and you'll be able to customize a routine that fits your personality.

Product Quality

The only issue I had with the product quality was the lack of a Play All button. That makes for an annoying viewing experience. Other than, the product quality is superb. One of my favorite things about Karl Hein products is watching a true master of the craft. Karl Hein is one of the best slieght of hand magicians of our time, and not enough people know that. He's a clever guy and a brilliant thinker, and most importantly (due to years of performing for real people), he is very detail oriented, and it shows in his teaching ability.


He covers everything in depth with excellent detail and pointers. His full routine (including multiple variations of method and effect) is covered in depth. Additionally, he covers several other marketed products (not his own products) that he recommends if you want to add even more to your routine. None of those marketed methods are required to do Karl Hein's routine, but he mentions them anyway to let you know how much more is possible with other products out there.


Speaking of other products, John George combined Hein's routine with what, I'm pretty sure, is the oldest Rubik's Cube effect on the market, The Enchanted Cube. The addition of two Enchanted Cubes makes for even more possibilities. This is covered in the bonus section where tons and tons of other ideas are addressed.


The DVD set is 5 hours long. That includes a how to solve the cube video by Tyson Mao. This DVD includes the basic method, speed method and even a legitimate blind folded method. I will say, however, that on the blindfold method — I was already familiar with this technique — the hardest part, the memorization, was not covered, just the mechanics of the solve. However, in his defense, until you can solve it using that method while not blindfolded, the memorization is moot. Other than that, the how-to-solve DVD is very thorough and easy to learn from. Plus it includes a whole bunch of cheat sheats and sample solves.


Additionally, there's an entire section about the cube itself, history, credits (both magical and non-magical), types of cubes, how to re-sticker them, etc. When combining all of the elements found on this DVD set, it is by far the most comprehensive DVD on cube magic to date.

Ad Copy Integrity

I was actually disappointed (in a good way) with the ad copy. They took the opposite approach from what many magic producers do these days. They (i.e., Karl Hein and John George) way undersold this. So is the ad copy accurate? Is the product as good as it says? Not even close. The product is much, much better than they claim.


They don't really put a lot of details in the ad copy, so there's not a lot to compare to it. Watch the trailer to get a sense of the audience reactions and somewhat of a feel of the type of effects found on the DVD.

Final Thoughts

Considering the fact that you're getting such a comprehensive resource on the subject plus tons of bonus ideas and so much more, the $80 price tag is a small price to pay.


Final Verdict:

4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem

(Top ▲)