by Sexton Blake » Nov 30th, '06, 21:32
I think you're being a little harsh, Figo. Actually, this is almost inevitable when you're really, really looking forward to something - you'll nearly always be dissappointed because you have expectations that couldn't possibly be met. Having said that (and admitting that I can't compare it to the Geek Magic thing, as I've never seen that) it isn't great, no. But it isn't awful either - especially not within Mayne's, um, 'style'. The effects are often prankish, but they're quite fun pranks. The 'making your own head explode off' one isn't going to baffle anyone two seconds after they've seen it: but it's surprising and funny all the same. I do the 'pencil through the face' to small children (Yeah - I like to give something back) and they always laugh, and then - thinking they know exactly what I've done - instinctively pick up a pencil and try it themselves... only to discover it's not quite that straightforward for them to reproduce. You say you love Gut Buster. I don't have that, and I wouldn't dream of getting it - it seemed immediately obvious the instant I watched it for the first time. But, as you say, you use it as a comedy effect; I'm sure you could use some of the things on this DVD effectively in the same way. I mean - come on - (assuming you're on a stage that can stand a such a heavy weight crashing down on to it out of an empty paper bag) that bowling ball production is a good opener, surely?
Also, the paperclip through arm one was solid, IMO (try it) - and the spike through tongue looked OK to me, though I wouldn't do it myself as I think it'd be too tricky to end clean (and you'd have to unless you were on stage, where no one was able to say the otherwise certain, 'Let me have a look at that spike.')
Relatedly, when he's not being (entirely) prankish I think the simplicity (in a good way) of his methods and his intelligent thinking can make for some lovely impromptu effects - I like the bank note tricks Ghost Bills and Infusion lots. Also (this, obviously, isn't a reason to buy this particular DVD, but it's something I think is to Mayne's credit), I'm glad there's someone out there who is doing something other than producing yet another card trick or yet another coin vanish.