Description
THE CLASSIC FORCE with Paul Green (DVD), All regions
(also known as: PAUL GREEN Presents THE CLASSIC FORCE)
Cost & Availability
GB£16.17 , EURO 23.96 , US$29.95 from Penguin Magic
http://www.penguinmagic.com/europe/product.php?ID=929
£19.99 from World-Of-Magic
http://www.world-of-magic.co.uk/magic.asp?id=746
Difficulty – (1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used, 4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
This is a hard one to rate but I would say that the main tool taught in this video which is the classic force would seemingly be a 1 to 2 in order to understand the basic mechanics of the move but more realistically a 4 to 5 - to truly master and make it effective and reliable.
(Note: there are at least three routines that are taught in this DVD which don’t require the classic force and I would give them a difficulty rating from 1 to 3)
Review
They say:
The Classic Force has long been considered the fairest and smoothest way of influencing a spectator to unknowingly pick the card YOU want. In this 60-minute action-packed tape, Paul Green breaks down the Classic Force step-by-step, and demonstrates how to make it the most powerful and versatile weapon in your arsenal.
Paul reveals sure-fire techniques for making the Classic Force 100 reliable - even in the most difficult and demanding situations.
You'll learn Paul's:
· Perfect timing
· Precision placement
· Spread variations
· Hand-to-hand management
· Fail-safe outs
· And finally, a MUST SEE method for manipulating the
uncooperative spectator.
Shot outside the polite confines of a studio setting, Paul Green takes you deep in the trenches to completely destroy a real-world audience. Included is a tour de force of 6 devastating routines from Paul's professional repertoire. In a nutshell, he's a lean, Green forcing machine!
I say:
If the Pass is considered to be the mother of all card controls then the Classic Force is definitely the mother of all forces! And as a lot of magicians find it necessary to obtain several sources, which can aid them to tune their pass to perfection, I would say the same is necessary with the Classic Force. Paul Green acknowledges this on his DVD and pays homage to several pieces of literature that teaches this force considering them to be indispensable.
The Classic Force when used in its raw state - so repeatedly and directly as featured on this DVD - is absolutely not for the faint hearted. It requires attuned psychology and precision timing more than simple mechanics of the hand and I believe that Paul Green is just the man to teach it. He is a performer who displays a wealth of confidence and showmanship but most importantly he is a great instructor who takes the time to go through the necessary steps of this force with painstaking detail.
The first Third of this DVD is focused on teaching the Classic Force while the other two thirds are focused on routines that incorporate this force amongst several other sleights.
The following routines are included within this DVD:
************
Thanks!:
A comical routine with a jumbo card finale.
Excessive Force:
Past literature seems to have warned against using the Classic Force consecutively in such a direct manner but I guess if your execution is anything like Paul Green’s then you can probably get away with it! This routine really demonstrates the power of the classic force!
The Odds Are With Me:
A routine that serves as a nice out for an unsuccessful force.
I Knew It All The Time:
A routine comprised of three stages, which utilises jumbo cards, comic surprises and ends with a great routine for an ID.
Card To Wallet:
Very much an Ambitious Card routine which has the spectator directly involved and seemingly doing all the magic.
Maximum Coverage:
This is Paul Green’s take on the magician’s insurance policy where a routine seems to go terribly wrong only to finish super strong. (The participating spectator in this looks like a clone of Donald Rumsfeld ).
The Long Card:
Another great live performance featuring the Classic Force and Paul Green’s comical persona.
Fortune Teller’s Book Of Days:
Using no sleight of hand this trick was developed by Paul Green which was inspired by Alex Elmsley's Fate's Datebook.
*************
Apart from the Classic Force Paul Green teaches several other sleights (but obviously in not as much detail) which are utilised within the routines of this DVD. Each routine is described in a clear an organised manner featuring the more humble side of his personality rather than the smug witty one he employs during his performances.
The live performances are honest, entertaining and humorous which definitely hold up for repeated viewing. Green engages his audience with ease luring them into a routine filled with surprises and hilarity. He also likes to use several amusing (yet inexpensive) props to take the effects beyond a simple card trick by injecting them with a flare of class and professionalism.
Overall
If your serious about card magic I think this visual aid for the Classic Force is a must! If you are not so interested in developing your Classic Force then I still think this DVD will contain something of value, if not for the other effects that don’t utilise the Classic Force then for the true showmanship that is displayed by Green on this DVD.
Rating
9/10 - If you liked Green’s In The Trenches DVD you will absolutely love The Classic Force with Paul Green!