Hey guys, I picked up both the downloads of both volumes of Dangerous last weekend, and I've had a chance to try all of the effects from V1.
Here's my review...
DVD Quality
Of course the footage is in HD, so everything is crystal clear on my computer. All of the film is either Black and White, or has very low Saturation, in true Daniel Madison style.
7/10
Teaching
Daniel goes over all of the effects in detail. You will have to know basic sleight of hand to fully understand the effects, but other than that they are fairly easy to understand.
8/10
Tricks
Bad Influence
This is such a killer. It's deviously simple, and uses a principle that has been around for a long long time. Daniel's presentation of the effect makes it seem so smooth and clean. You do end slightly dirty, but Daniel goes over how to easily clean yourself up.
8/10
Aces
I didn't really like this. It has a few good 'wow' moments, but nothing special. I think Mystique could have done without this.
5/10
Angle Zero
This is an awesome trick. It's so simple, and clever. Daniel uses an idea I haven't seen in a long time, and has refined to to a killer effect. The presentation he uses is just one of many you could apply to this idea. It has so much potential.
9/10
Catch
This is a very quick, Dan and Dave-esque trick. It's flashy, but a little sloppy in my opinion. With a little bit of refinement, it could be something.
7/10
Color
This is a quick color change, and looks a lot like Shapeshifter. I actually prefer Shapeshifter as there is a little something that isn't as noticeable. Daniel provides two handlings, one for large groups and one for small groups. It's a bit knacky, but with practice you can do anything.
7/10
Half Vanish
Damn, this is one of my favorite tricks on the video. I performed this to my mom, and when I did the vanish she was like, "Ooooook....?" Then I showed the sandwiched card and it blew her away. It seems so impossible. The only thing is in the performance they don't show Daniel do a certain move, which I would have liked to see.
9/10
Heritage
This is a very cool effect to do at parties, or while you're playing poker with a bunch of friends. It isn't all that hard, but you have to remember where things go, etc.
8/10
Lapse
This is one of those effects where you just go, "What?" and have to go back and watch it again. It's very visual and I really like it. Definitely something to perform at parties, as you don't need to talk.
8/10
Focus
This another one of those underdeveloped tricks. It's based off of another move, which in my opinion is so much easier than this. I guess this could be useful in some cases, but I don't think I'll use it.
6/10
RolePlay
This is a very simple effect, but it hits hard in the spectator's mind. It's not a magician fooler, mind you. It's easy to do, but fun to perform. I will definitely use this on occasion.
8/10
Breach
I saw this on the description, and was like , "How the hell..." The original Breach was heavily gimmicked, and I could only wonder how Daniel had included this in Mystique. Actually, this is a completely different effect, but just as visual. It uses an extra something, but I will guarantee you have many of them. It's a bit angly, but if you pull it off it looks fantastic.
8/10
Overall
This was a great purchase. The effects fit my style, and they didn't involve knuckle-busting sleights.
Expect a review for Motion V2 coming very soon.
David
Here's my review...
DVD Quality
Of course the footage is in HD, so everything is crystal clear on my computer. All of the film is either Black and White, or has very low Saturation, in true Daniel Madison style.
7/10
Teaching
Daniel goes over all of the effects in detail. You will have to know basic sleight of hand to fully understand the effects, but other than that they are fairly easy to understand.
8/10
Tricks
Bad Influence
This is such a killer. It's deviously simple, and uses a principle that has been around for a long long time. Daniel's presentation of the effect makes it seem so smooth and clean. You do end slightly dirty, but Daniel goes over how to easily clean yourself up.
8/10
Aces
I didn't really like this. It has a few good 'wow' moments, but nothing special. I think Mystique could have done without this.
5/10
Angle Zero
This is an awesome trick. It's so simple, and clever. Daniel uses an idea I haven't seen in a long time, and has refined to to a killer effect. The presentation he uses is just one of many you could apply to this idea. It has so much potential.
9/10
Catch
This is a very quick, Dan and Dave-esque trick. It's flashy, but a little sloppy in my opinion. With a little bit of refinement, it could be something.
7/10
Color
This is a quick color change, and looks a lot like Shapeshifter. I actually prefer Shapeshifter as there is a little something that isn't as noticeable. Daniel provides two handlings, one for large groups and one for small groups. It's a bit knacky, but with practice you can do anything.
7/10
Half Vanish
Damn, this is one of my favorite tricks on the video. I performed this to my mom, and when I did the vanish she was like, "Ooooook....?" Then I showed the sandwiched card and it blew her away. It seems so impossible. The only thing is in the performance they don't show Daniel do a certain move, which I would have liked to see.
9/10
Heritage
This is a very cool effect to do at parties, or while you're playing poker with a bunch of friends. It isn't all that hard, but you have to remember where things go, etc.
8/10
Lapse
This is one of those effects where you just go, "What?" and have to go back and watch it again. It's very visual and I really like it. Definitely something to perform at parties, as you don't need to talk.
8/10
Focus
This another one of those underdeveloped tricks. It's based off of another move, which in my opinion is so much easier than this. I guess this could be useful in some cases, but I don't think I'll use it.
6/10
RolePlay
This is a very simple effect, but it hits hard in the spectator's mind. It's not a magician fooler, mind you. It's easy to do, but fun to perform. I will definitely use this on occasion.
8/10
Breach
I saw this on the description, and was like , "How the hell..." The original Breach was heavily gimmicked, and I could only wonder how Daniel had included this in Mystique. Actually, this is a completely different effect, but just as visual. It uses an extra something, but I will guarantee you have many of them. It's a bit angly, but if you pull it off it looks fantastic.
8/10
Overall
This was a great purchase. The effects fit my style, and they didn't involve knuckle-busting sleights.
Expect a review for Motion V2 coming very soon.
David
