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Andy Nyman's Killer Elite Pro

PostPosted: Dec 9th, '05, 12:52
by Tom Lauten


Killer Elite Pro also, click here http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3072 for another Killer Elite thread(the original)

Available from www.Alakazam.co.uk

Price: £24.99

Category: Close up Mentalism effect

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

They say:
Andy Nyman's Killer Elite was not only one of the most successful tricks of its time. It was also voted "Trick of the Year" but unfortunately it ceased production in early 2005. However it is now back and has been totally redesigned for the working performer. A combination of Andy Nyman's thinking and Alakazam Magic's desire for top quality professional products, we are now proud to bring you "Killer Elite Pro."
Even if you own the fantastic original version, you will want to update with this all new pocket sized showpiece.
Complete with stylish custom designed leather wallet, manufactured in high quality leather, real poker chip and full colour movie cards specially printed on credit card stock. No expense has been spared in bringing you this award winning effect in a slick new form.
The performer takes out a small leather wallet and from it; he removes a poker-chip and four cards, each bearing the image of a well known movie-killer. These are set out on the table and the performer then asks the spectator to imagine the following scene: All four of the killers are in a room, when all of a sudden the inevitable happens and gun shots are fired. When the smoke clears only one man is left standing! The survivor is the owner of the poker chip. The spectator is asked to choose the killer he believes to be the owner of the chip, which is then placed onto the card bearing the image of the chosen survivor. Amazingly the performer proves that the spectator's selection is the correct one!

I say:
Killer Elite is a firm favourite of many a mentalism performer (and walk around magicians as well).

The original used A-5 postcards to depict the killers, used an A-5 brown envelope to carry it all in and sported a “not-so-authentic” poker chip as a prop. Although the effect was brilliant and easy to do, it’s size was a bit of a hindrance for impromptu work and strolling performances.

Well, Killer Elite has come back with a vengeance.

Now you are kitted out with tough and hefty plastic cards where they were used to be printed card. Where, in the past you were given an envelope, there is now a very classy, leather playing card size “wallet” (very similar to those two-sided, leather packet trick wallets). The casino chip you now get is…a casino chip!! Hooray!

The working of the effect is exactly the same as the original and the instructions are very clear…in fact they feel a bit better than the original one…if I am remembering correctly.

It isn’t a cheery trick as it involves a (imaginary) bloodbath so your audience should be adult and not easily put off by a violent theme (the wusses).

Some people love Killer Elite and some don’t. Personally, I love it and I think the key to the effect is a good set up, a assertive attitude and a strong story telling style of performance.

There are a few risks but they are easily managed if you practice. It isn’t angle sensitive but you will want to look out for a risk of “flashing” a bit or piece as you go through it…no real hardship.

Overall: 9/10
A well thought of classic is give a new incarnation. Very slick props, a strong routine in the hands of a confident performer. It costs what it costs but you also get what you pay for…quality stuff.


PostPosted: Dec 9th, '05, 14:06
by bananafish
I have to say I love Killer Elite. It is a beautiful effect full of all thedrama and mystery you would have expected from Andy Nyman.

Personally though I think it is more of a stage piece and as such I would actually have prefered to see a larger version with A4, or even A5 cards.

Certainly if doing it for walkabout, tables or even down the pub for friends or family, the smaller version is ideal and extremely well made. The wallet is a joy to use as are the rest of the props.

My probelm is though I don't think it works for walkabout or tables. Possibly it is too long. But it is so good I can live with that. It's nice to have a good story effect, and this is a good story effect. My real problem is the lack of repeatability. [edited]
So as much as I like the idea of the smaller version, I jsut don't see me performing it enough to justify buying it.

Is this finally the CUPS coming under control I wonder?

(ediited later - I did buy it in the end , sad as I am)


PostPosted: Dec 9th, '05, 14:36
by Tom Lauten
Is this finally the CUPS coming under control I wonder?

Yeah right....hahaha you wish!

I take your points regarding stage work...but as you said, it is ideal for one off, light-in-the-pocket, casual/impromptu performances. Bring it to a dinner party, down the pub or stick it in your pocket "just in case".


Andy Nyman

PostPosted: Dec 29th, '05, 16:25
by wardy2001
Just wanted to say that I have loved my Killer Elite for a very long time (I think mine is 7 or 8 years old) and I still use it occasionally. I've never had a problem with the original size of the effect, however I have replaced the envelope a number of times.

Nice to see it is back in a pocket friendly size, quite honestly this trick will blow your spectators away.


PostPosted: Jan 7th, '06, 23:44
by Captain Fantastic
I've been using the original effect for about 2 years and was a bit sceptical about buying this smaller version but when I saw it, I knew that it was for me!! This looks so much more professional than the original and it gets you away from using a tatty envelope which is how mine always ended up after a couple of weeks in a pocket.

Great trick and well worth the money even if you have the original!!!


PostPosted: Jul 3rd, '07, 17:41
by Replicant
I've just received this and I'm very impressed with the quality of the package. Very nice indeed. I haven't performed the original Killer Elite in a long while, partly due to its impractical size, but I shall be carrying Pro everywhere. Great trick, superb quality. For me, this is worth £25.


PostPosted: Nov 14th, '07, 17:43
by misterblack
Ok this might come across as provocative. It's not really meant that way, just interested in opinions - but I guess 'provocative' isn't entirely a bad thing on a forum anyway. (shrug)

I just wonder whether, had an outfit like ellusionist released something like 'Killer Elite Pro', many of us would be criticising it as an over-priced, fancy cool props effect using an old principle...?

Thoughts?


PostPosted: Nov 14th, '07, 17:46
by seige
misterblack wrote:Thoughts?


I think you're wrong. The package here is much like Andy's other stuff—it's a whole. Solid thinking, audience tested, workable. The price isn't for the props, it's for the whole premise.

The Ellusionist argument is a completely different one ;)


PostPosted: Nov 14th, '07, 17:56
by misterblack
I understand your point, and I'm not saying I entirely agree with the premise I put forward. (I do think though, that when you are getting a wallet, decent cards and a real chip, at least PART of the price is the props).


PostPosted: Nov 14th, '07, 18:00
by seige
I know what you mean... and what I meant is that some people would happily pay for Killer Elite with no props at all for the price shown, as it really is quite a good well-rounded effect.


PostPosted: Nov 14th, '07, 20:05
by IAIN
though it's not for me, i had the pleasure of seeing the man himself demo it at the first mentalist meeting - it plays through very well, and as "the diamond" is obviously very into his films, it suits him down to the ground..

i think if he was selling it as "a brand new principle, learn to fry your spectators in moments!" like ellusionist does, and then "worry about the credits later"...then i'd agree with you... :)


PostPosted: Nov 14th, '07, 23:19
by Demitri
Abraxus makes a great point - and it's the very heart of the Ellusionist argument.

I also loved this effect at first, but the original props never really gelled with me. I loved the premise of the four killers - but the poker chip seemed out of place.

As a result, I've taken Mr. Nymans' awesome routine and made my own "kit" for it.

Having said that - this is totally a personal choice. The stuff you get is of incredible quality, and I think the price is well worth it.


PostPosted: Nov 14th, '07, 23:50
by FRK
With out giving the game away, I have worked out how I would attempt this effect [edited]


PostPosted: Nov 15th, '07, 00:01
by Replicant
[edited]

the props are just lush - the leather wallet really is of the highest quality. The cards are printed on credit card stock which means they should last for ages. And, ok, a poker chip is a poker chip; but a genuine poker chip sure beats the previous offering in the original Killer Elite. Overall, this package just oozes quality and with the correct presentation, it's... well, it's a killer.


PostPosted: Nov 15th, '07, 00:07
by FRK
thanx 808