Hey everyone we figured for our first review we would do both discs(or downloads) of Daniel Madison’s Dangerous project sold at Theory 11 you can see this product HERE
This will probably be a long read so prepare yourselves,
Trick One:: Bad Influence
Official Description-
“In a test of intuition, three spectators are asked to each remove a specific playing card from the shuffled deck - but here’s the catch: they cannot look at the faces of the cards. For example, spectator one may be asked to remove the card that they feel is the 5 of Diamonds, spectator two may be asked to remove the card they feel is the 3 of Hearts, and finally spectator three may be asked to remove the card they feel to be the Queen of Clubs - all without looking at the true identity of their selections. The three cards are then shown to be the exact named cards. This is d+M’s take on the classic plot. ”
This is a very cool trick, it would make a great opener. The method is very clever. 7/10
Trick Two:: Aces
Official Effect Description
“The performer takes the deck and a flourish is performed revealing an Ace which is handed to the spectator to hold. A 2nd Ace is revealed in the performers pocket and handed to the spectator. The deck then vanishes leaving behind a 3rd Ace, which is again handed to the spectator. The fourth Ace is then revealed to have been held by the spectator from the very beginning. “
This is a cool ace production, it may not be as flashy as a Dan and Dave ace production. However it is good for those who don’t want to do some knuckle busting sleights. **SIDE NOTES** First off this ace production was in a set of Daniel’s notes with a slightly more “vulgar” name, also there is a great little piece of humor from Daniel Madison when asked about Criss Angel. 8/10
Trick Three::Angle.Zero
Official Effect Description
”The spectator selects a card from the deck. A corner is then torn from the chosen card and the torn card is handed to the spectator to hold. The corner is then cleanly vanished from the performers hand and revealed ANYWHERE the performer desires. This can be performed with any deck. The set-up takes seconds, and there are no duplicates. The corner is the exact corner from the torn card.”
Ah yes the much anticipated Angle Zero, this trick was also published in a set of Daniel’s previous notes. As cool as the version in his notes was he added a killer little subtlety to this effect. Its great it really is. 8/10
Trick Four:: Catch
Official Effect Description
“A selected card is lost in the deck. As the deck is shuffled a packet is thrown through the air, two aces separate from the deck landing in the performers open hand with the selected card sandwiched between them.”
Well this is a really good idea for a sandwich effect, however it is a knacky move(at least for me anyways). If you have a sandwich routine you want to add to this would be a great addition. It can also be used as a stand alone effect. 7.5/10
Trick Five:: Color
Official Effect Description
“An instant, visual color-change.”
Personally i wasn’t a fan of this color change, its kinda knacky and in my opinion its a complete give away of how it works. 5/10
Trick Six:: Half Vanish
Official Effect Description
“A pair of aces are placed face down on a table, a selected card is held on top and overlapping the deck face up. The performer slowly waves his hand over the card which slowly vanishes, one half at a time. The vanished card is then found between the Aces on the table.”
I rather liked this trick, when the card re-appeared between the aces on the table it fried me completely. this could also be used in a sandwich effect. 8.5/10
Trick Seven:: Heritage
Official Effect Description
“The performer introduces four playing cards from a different deck but doesn’t show their values. The spectator is handed the deck and asked to shuffle. Once the deck has been shuffled the spectator is asked to count out cards face up one at a time and stop at any point. The card stopped at is added to the four different cards which are then revealed to be an Ace, 2, 4 and 5 of clubs. The spectator’s freely chosen card is then revealed to be the 3 of Clubs - completing the perfect Straight Flush.”
I instantly fell in love with this trick in Daniel Madison’s Lecture notes ONE. The best part about this trick other than how big of an impact it will make on your spectators is the little patter line Daniel Gives for the trick. He also notes how this trick was inspired by Derren Brown who is one of my favorite mentalists ever. 9/10
Trick Eight:: Lapse
Official Effect Description
“The performer calls on two volunteers & asks that they each take a card. The selected cards are freely shown & signed by each spectator. The performer then takes the first card [for explanation purposes we shall use the Ace of Clubs as the first card] & places it in his back pocket stating that he will come back to it later. He then takes the second card [for explanation purposes we shall use the 2 of Hearts as the second card] & mixes it into the deck.
The performer then riffles down the side of the deck asking spectator 2 to call stop ‘hopefully we should be able to stop at your card.’ The stopped at card is revealed to be the first card – Ace of Clubs; slightly confused, the performer removes the Ace of clubs from the deck & places it on the table ‘If the Ace is here, then the card in my pocket must be…’ The performer then reaches into his pocket & takes out the card, which is revealed to be… The Ace of Clubs. The tabled card, as thought to be the Ace, is then turned over and revealed to be the 2 of Hearts.”
Lapse will cause you to do a couple double takes, just when you think you know what’s happening you get thrown in another direction. Its a very cool effect and definitely worth checking out. 7.5/10
Trick Nine:: Focus
Official Effect Description
“The bottom card of the deck is shown, the performer shakes the deck causing the bottom card to change/visually vanish. The vanished card is then found in the performers pocket.”
I liked this effect it can be used as a color change alone or as a vanish/re-appearance. Not much else to say about it. 6/10
Trick Ten:: Role Play
Official Effect Description
“The spectator is invited to freely select a card from the deck, the card is then shuffled into the deck. The spectator is then handed the deck and told that they will switch places with the performer; they will become the magician and the magician will become the spectator. The spectator is then asked to shuffle the deck before spreading the cards for the performer to select a card. The card selected is then revealed to be the same card as the spectators original selection.”
This effect is probably my least favorite on the dvd, i just personally feel it was lacking something but i cant put my finger on what quite yet. 4/10
Trick Eleven:: Breach
Official Effect Description
“A selected card is held on the bottom of the deck, the deck is then held under a glass table. The performer then holds his hand over the table and pulls the card through the glass. The card is left on the table and the deck is held under the glass. The performer then pushes the card back through the glass where it lands back on the deck.”
Yes! finally the un-gimmicked version of breach, I must say for not using a gimmick this trick is great. However the effect description is sort of misleading, it doesn’t look like you pull or push the card through the glass . Enough Said. 8/10
Mystique Notes and thoughts
-Well when i first saw the contents list for mystique i thought oh great all they have done is completely take everything out of his notes and just put it in dvd format. I was totally wrong, hearing Daniel’s thoughts and little side notes for each effect was great plus seeing him perform was a bonus as well.
-The teaching for mystique was fantastic, he goes over everything exceptionally clearly. You can really tell Theory11 put a TON of time and effort into the dangerous project.
Overall I would score this DVD/Download a 9/10
cardex2
mikegoyke