Hey guys, you asked for it so here it is, my review on Mattgic and MaXim's The Code DVD. Here's a little fun fact: The Code stands for Cardistry Operation for a new Decksterity Experience. And with that said, let's begin.
Box
Everybody has seen the cover of the box. When I pulled it out, my mom was like, "Is that Scarface?" It's pretty cool, but nothing amazing. Definitely looks home-made. But hey, this isn't about the box now is it.
As a little bonus, they wrote me a note on the inside of the box. It's those little touches that make my day so enjoyable...
7/10
The Movie
I didn't really like it, but I can tell they put a lot of hard work into filming. The story was decent, and props to you guys for taking the time to find so many actors. That was pretty cool. Other than that, nothing really stood out. The filming was so-so, and a lot of it was shaky.
6/10
The Moves
M&M
Love this move. It's got two packets rotating at once, and looks fantastic. Not as difficult as some of the other material, but it will definitely take a lot of practice to get it as smooth as they do it.
8/10
V.72
This looks a lot like Madonna, but hey, I like Madonna. It's not completely original, but it's a solid cut that I can see myself using with practice.
7/10
Enzo Production
God, I love this. It's so smooth looking, and not too difficult. What more can I say? It's almost as if the Queens just appear as you stroke the deck. Also, you learn one of my favorite cuts on the DVD, the Enzo cut.
9/10
San Vincenzo
Woot, this is my favorite. It's the Enzo cut used in the Enzo Production with a nice closer. It's also an excellent utility move, and I've already came up with different ways of getting in and closing it.
9/10
Coma
This is an effect where 4 blank cards are shown, and then they instantly turn into the 4 aces. You do need a gimmick, but it's not too difficult to find. A very nice, flashy bit of magic.
8/10
DAM
This is basically a card split, where a 3 is split into an Ace and 2. It's extremely visual, and uses a snap move similar to the last phase of Fission for Aces in the Trilogy. Again, you need a small gimmick.
7/10
Coma Production
This is a production that uses the snap move from DAM. It's a very quick and visual production, and I love that they took the time to show different variations. It really helps to inspire you.
7/10
Agora 2.0
This is another beautiful piece of cardistry. Again, it's similar to Madonna, but much more difficult. This is probably the hardest cut in the DVD, but also one of the best looking.
8/10
Tornado Production
This is another production that starts with the Tornado Cut. It's so far off the other Tornado Productions I've seen, and I congratulate them for being able to do something new and original with something that has been worked to death.
8/10
OHD
OHD=One Handed Diamond. This thing is very creative. It's also very difficult. Get ready for some sore hands...
7/10
Reverse L Cuts
These are definitely not original, but they still rock. Also, the name is a bit deceiving. They are not L Cuts in reverse. It's the same motion as a normal L Cut, except the packets fall into the pinky instead of the index finger. These are also a lot more difficult, as you need bigger hands to perform them.
6/10
GoldenFish 2.0
This is definitely one that must be learned. It has a lot of spinning packets and nice visual touches. A classic for sure.
8/10
FK
A simple one card spin. I don't see myself using it on it's own, but you could definitely find some way to use the concept for something else.
6/10
Street Made Tutorials
M&M
Another tutorial on the M&M move taught earlier. In my opinion the teaching here is better than the teaching in the studio tutorial.
8/10
GoldenFish
I'm guessing this is the original version of GoldenFish 2.0. The definitely look similar, but I prefer 2.0. This one is fairly difficult as well.
7/10
Agora 1.0
The original version of Agora 2.0? Most likely. My comments are pretty much the same as GoldenFish. Nice, but I prefer the new one.
7/10
Spider Class
What do you get when you combine Madonna with a Sybilism flair? Spider Class. It's not too difficult, and looks fantastic when done at speed.
8/10
Enzo
See above, por favor.
SnoWhite
This is a cross between a Madonna and Sybil. It looks very cool at first, but I find the ending of the cut lacking. You can definitely do something with this, though.
7/10
Coma
See above, por favor.
Triga Change
This is the move where you perform a deck flip with 4 cards on top of the deck, and they change into the 4 Queens. It's easy, but knacky. You have to get used to catching the cards as they fly off the deck.
7/10
I'm pretty sure those are all of the moves taught. If I forgot anything, please tell me and I'll try to edit the review.
There are also a lot of bonus videos on the DVD, including Outtakes, other videos from Mattgic and MaXim, bonus footage of some of the actors performing, and credits.
Quality
Not t11 crystal clear HD quality, but everything was pretty clear. The only con is that it made the video look very unprofessional, and a bit amateurish.
7/10
Overall, this was a great purchase. It contains so much material, and will keep any flourisher busy for a quite some time. Although the quality wasn't amazing, the moves definitely made up for it. Great work Mattgic and MaXim.
I give this a 9/10.
David
Box
Everybody has seen the cover of the box. When I pulled it out, my mom was like, "Is that Scarface?" It's pretty cool, but nothing amazing. Definitely looks home-made. But hey, this isn't about the box now is it.
As a little bonus, they wrote me a note on the inside of the box. It's those little touches that make my day so enjoyable...
7/10
The Movie
I didn't really like it, but I can tell they put a lot of hard work into filming. The story was decent, and props to you guys for taking the time to find so many actors. That was pretty cool. Other than that, nothing really stood out. The filming was so-so, and a lot of it was shaky.
6/10
The Moves
M&M
Love this move. It's got two packets rotating at once, and looks fantastic. Not as difficult as some of the other material, but it will definitely take a lot of practice to get it as smooth as they do it.
8/10
V.72
This looks a lot like Madonna, but hey, I like Madonna. It's not completely original, but it's a solid cut that I can see myself using with practice.
7/10
Enzo Production
God, I love this. It's so smooth looking, and not too difficult. What more can I say? It's almost as if the Queens just appear as you stroke the deck. Also, you learn one of my favorite cuts on the DVD, the Enzo cut.
9/10
San Vincenzo
Woot, this is my favorite. It's the Enzo cut used in the Enzo Production with a nice closer. It's also an excellent utility move, and I've already came up with different ways of getting in and closing it.
9/10
Coma
This is an effect where 4 blank cards are shown, and then they instantly turn into the 4 aces. You do need a gimmick, but it's not too difficult to find. A very nice, flashy bit of magic.
8/10
DAM
This is basically a card split, where a 3 is split into an Ace and 2. It's extremely visual, and uses a snap move similar to the last phase of Fission for Aces in the Trilogy. Again, you need a small gimmick.
7/10
Coma Production
This is a production that uses the snap move from DAM. It's a very quick and visual production, and I love that they took the time to show different variations. It really helps to inspire you.
7/10
Agora 2.0
This is another beautiful piece of cardistry. Again, it's similar to Madonna, but much more difficult. This is probably the hardest cut in the DVD, but also one of the best looking.
8/10
Tornado Production
This is another production that starts with the Tornado Cut. It's so far off the other Tornado Productions I've seen, and I congratulate them for being able to do something new and original with something that has been worked to death.
8/10
OHD
OHD=One Handed Diamond. This thing is very creative. It's also very difficult. Get ready for some sore hands...
7/10
Reverse L Cuts
These are definitely not original, but they still rock. Also, the name is a bit deceiving. They are not L Cuts in reverse. It's the same motion as a normal L Cut, except the packets fall into the pinky instead of the index finger. These are also a lot more difficult, as you need bigger hands to perform them.
6/10
GoldenFish 2.0
This is definitely one that must be learned. It has a lot of spinning packets and nice visual touches. A classic for sure.
8/10
FK
A simple one card spin. I don't see myself using it on it's own, but you could definitely find some way to use the concept for something else.
6/10
Street Made Tutorials
M&M
Another tutorial on the M&M move taught earlier. In my opinion the teaching here is better than the teaching in the studio tutorial.
8/10
GoldenFish
I'm guessing this is the original version of GoldenFish 2.0. The definitely look similar, but I prefer 2.0. This one is fairly difficult as well.
7/10
Agora 1.0
The original version of Agora 2.0? Most likely. My comments are pretty much the same as GoldenFish. Nice, but I prefer the new one.
7/10
Spider Class
What do you get when you combine Madonna with a Sybilism flair? Spider Class. It's not too difficult, and looks fantastic when done at speed.
8/10
Enzo
See above, por favor.
SnoWhite
This is a cross between a Madonna and Sybil. It looks very cool at first, but I find the ending of the cut lacking. You can definitely do something with this, though.
7/10
Coma
See above, por favor.
Triga Change
This is the move where you perform a deck flip with 4 cards on top of the deck, and they change into the 4 Queens. It's easy, but knacky. You have to get used to catching the cards as they fly off the deck.
7/10
I'm pretty sure those are all of the moves taught. If I forgot anything, please tell me and I'll try to edit the review.
There are also a lot of bonus videos on the DVD, including Outtakes, other videos from Mattgic and MaXim, bonus footage of some of the actors performing, and credits.
Quality
Not t11 crystal clear HD quality, but everything was pretty clear. The only con is that it made the video look very unprofessional, and a bit amateurish.
7/10
Overall, this was a great purchase. It contains so much material, and will keep any flourisher busy for a quite some time. Although the quality wasn't amazing, the moves definitely made up for it. Great work Mattgic and MaXim.
I give this a 9/10.
David
