For Crying Out Loud (thank you Meatloaf), do we really need another Torn and Restored Card video? Short answer: Probably Not. Medium answer: maybe we need this video because of the advice and tips on it . . .

So let's get to it. For $35 bucks you get an instant download (or DVD) that's pretty low-budget film work that teaches you two different T&R effects. The main effect, Legacy is the one you'll see in the trailer. It's a piece by piece restoration of a torn card. The advertised claims found on the video trailer are 98.789% accurate.

The following claims are made:

• No gimmicks


• No pre-folded cards


• No sticky stuff


• It's an evolution in T&R


• 4 pieces


• Signed


• "No cover" restorations


• Show both sides of the card after every phase with hands empty


• Hand out for examination

As for the bullet points above, the only one I really take issue with is that it's an evolution in T&R effects. I think that's pushing it a little bit. The visual restored technique is very similar to the technique of Sankey's Cardboard Contortionists which is over 30 years old.

Every claim from the bullet points above can be made about Jay's effect plus there's nothing left to ditch at the end of Jay's effect. Plus Jay's has the advantage of not requiring any prep work at all.

In fairness, however the prep work involved in Legacy is 3 seconds of prep work, but you do have to do it in advance (i.e., you can't do it on the fly). You can't just use any old card or deck.

This isn't a review of Jay's effect, but I bring it up because Nothing that Legacy does is new. It was all included in Jay's 30 year old effect. That being said, by no means am I dismissing this video nor am I, necessarily, dismissing this effect . . . just informing.

Upon watching the performance, I had mixed thoughts. I felt that the tearing and handling of the card seemed a bit fishy for sure . . . yet at any point during the routine, both hands can be shown empty, and both sides of the card can be shown. Essentially, what you're getting is a very clever handling to conceal the extra card in use. I was not fooled by the effect, but I was scratching my head trying to understand how the heck he was concealing the method.

The basic method is exactly the same as Countdown by Dan Paulus, another effect that is multiple decades old. Dan's effect is a bit more obscure, so I can't really fault them for not mentioning it in the credits, but Jay's work is much more ubiquitous and should have been referenced. And Dan doesn't even claim originality. His method is a minor variation on an effect (Restoring a Torn Card) described by George B. Anderson decades before Dan published his. The point is . . . the basic method in play is nothing new.

In the final analysis, it's a give and take. The best part of this effect is how cleanly you can display things at any point in the routine. Not many T&Rs allow for this. I like how clean you can be in this effect, and the ending is very clean as well. What I don't like is the slight awkwardness of the handling. However, if you did not feel that the performance in the trailer looked awkward of fishy, then you'll be very happy with this effect and method. Just be aware that you'll have to watch the teaching section multiple times and that some of the over-the-shoulder shots are un-viewable because the camera was poorly positioned causing Kross's derby to be in the way. But the information is all there and a few viewings should get you there. Some of the stuff was a bit confusing and very unclear, and so the learning process was a bit frustrating. I think they could have done a better job on a couple of parts of the explanation . . . slow down . . . be more clear.

In my opinion, however, the stand out piece is Mythos. This, methodologically speaking, is even more similar to Dan Paulus's effect mentioned earlier. However, this routine is completely different. Mythos is not as visual as Legacy however, I think it's a bit more powerful. Also, the method is much more practical, and further, it can be done (like Jay's effect) with zero prep work, and (like Jay's effect) it's 100 clean at the end with nothing to ditch or hide.

Plus, the presentational angle for Mythos is very clever and makes for a real solid piece of mental magic. Also, it's way easier than Legacy.

In addition to the two effects, you get some really good solid advice from guest Jeff McBride. You get some good tips and pointers from Rose and Kross as well. In my opinion, I would have paid over $35 just for one particular statement that Jeff McBride made. I won't tell you what it is, and in fact, you may not even agree that the statement was that valuable, but it meant a lot more than $35 bucks to me.

Final thoughts:

If you liked the trailer, get this. It'll be worth it. Just be aware that there will be some minor hurdles (low budget filming, minor bad lighting, obscured shots) to overcome; you'll definitely have to work hard to get the information you need. Then you'll have to work harder to master it. I have no problem working hard to master the information. But I do have an issue with having to work through the above hurdles to get my hands on the information.

Just remember, however, that you also get Mythos and some really solid pointers, tips and information as well. Based strictly on the ad copy, this delivers for sure. I just felt the overall quality of the video was pretty rough. I'll leave you to judge the effects. I can only comment on the method (see above).

Final Verdict:
3.5 Stars with a Stone Status of gem with a little g.