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sketchomagic Loyal user Los Angeles 217 Posts |
Once again, I am only posting MY official review of MatriXpress (Props and DVD) by Shawn Farquhar. I searched and searched and did not find any posts made on this effect. Other than something called Shawn Farquhar's MatriXtreme posted in 2004. So if there is already a review of this somewhere, please don't bite my head off for posting mine.
First the gimmick's: Properly well made with out a doubt, a lot of love went into this product. Should last a long long time. I even found the answer to my "Singed" situation with this product, because the gimmick that is used for Signed wasn't made right in the first batch produced. But when I got MatriXpress I noticed the gimmicks were the same, except Xpress was made how "Signed" should had been made. Long story short the gimmick works amazingly perfect with "Signed" for those of you who have it, know what I'm talking about. Anyway the poker chips it comes with are very well made and look great. There are also photo's included of Shawn's hands for another effect on the DVD. Overall the stuff it comes with is solid and ready to go out the box. I will say though I was mislead when the promo I saw for the effect used 4 Joker cards that went well with the Xpress effect but were not included with the package. Second the DVD: Shawn's teaching to his Xpress and photo finish routines are very well explained and well thought out. However I will say this, in the routine of Xpress stand alone, I noticed the poker chips are almost too think and bulky and not very practical even though they are very pretty. I would rather use them for my Crowded Coins routine by Paul Wilson I've been doing for some time now. Or 3 fly, etc. In the routine of Xpress you have to place cards over the chips but in doing so, when the chips travel, its just too obvious IMO when they are under the cards, and when they are not. Even when I try to bend and bellow the card to arch over the chips to help hide it, its still just too obvious when they are present and when they are no longer there, the cards covering gives it away instantly. There also very funky angels too consider as well in getting the last chip to join the rest. Over all I found it too unpractical and very angle dependent despite some claiming being able to do it surrounded. I wouldn't take that chance, but that's just me. I like it when the spectator has no idea what going on, and with Xpress I feel like the spectator will get a hint of the method, and that I can not allow. In all I will say Shawn is very good at performing this effect and to be honest I think I'd rather perform the photo finish over the Xpress. At the end of the day I found that the gimmicks it came with I would just rather use in other routines than the Xpress routine it came with. Crazy I know but its the truth. Not to mention you are restricted by the type of clothes you have to wear to perform this effect. Overall I don't think this effect is worth the price, but the props are nice and it did solve my Signed problem. Still doesn't change the fact that its just one of those effects I'm not gonna be doing anytime soon. Sad I know, I feel like I had to pay three times as much just to be able to perform Signed right, but at least I can do it now effectively thanks to Shawn's gimmick. But so lame I would rather use Shawn's gimmick for another magic trick. Despite Shawn being a champion magician, this effect to me just doesn't hit home the way you want it to. Rathing: Gimmicks = DVD/Method = 1/2 (thats two in half faces) Overall Rating: .9 out of 5 (two point nine out of five) |
Andrew Zuber Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 3014 Posts |
A Matrix effect limited by your wardrobe?? That seems ridiculous.
Thanks for the review!
"I'm sorry - if you were right, I would agree with you." -Robin Williams, Awakenings
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sketchomagic Loyal user Los Angeles 217 Posts |
Ahahha! I know right!?! That's what I said. Hell... that's what SHE said!
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RNK Inner circle 7492 Posts |
I agree sketchomagic- solved my signed problem too! You would think for the price- signed would have come with the same gimmick. Oh well- ready to go now! As for matrixpress- I agree- some of the moves are just a little to strange. Maybe in the perfect conditions this would go over OK.
RNK
Check out Bafflingbob.com
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sketchomagic Loyal user Los Angeles 217 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-11 07:54, RNK wrote: Thanks sir! Perhaps if your crowd has had enough to drink Xpress would be great! Maybe Xpress 2.0 will be the right one. |
Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
What is signed?
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
sketchomagic Loyal user Los Angeles 217 Posts |
@Paul...Not sure if your joking...but just in case. "Signed" by Mariano Goni
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Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
No, I wasn't joking. Thanks for letting me know.
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
Josh Norris New user Washington, DC 32 Posts |
I just reviewed this last week on The Magic Session.... Was really disappointed in MatriXpress.
You can watch the full video review here: http://themagicsession.com/on-demand/mag......04-03-11 However, I'll recap the key points of the review below.... I think the method is painfully obvious even if you watch the trailer. As other folks mentioned before, you must be wearing a certain type of clothes to pull this off. I think its unpractical and the handling is extremely awkward and suspicious (even to laymen). Anytime you have to introduce additional gimmicks to accomplish an effect I am always skeptical.... Unless the gimmicks improve the effect I simply cant justify their use. Not only does shawn's method no improve on the original but I think it is a step back. That being said, the props are well made and the instruction is clear... For that I'll give it an extra star.... 1.5/5 = don't waste your money. Take the time to learn a traditional matrix and you'll have a more practical version without all the unnecessary gimmicks. |
sketchomagic Loyal user Los Angeles 217 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-13 00:30, Josh Norris wrote: Couldn't agree with you more sir! I'm liking you on the review show with Luke! Keep it up! |
J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
I actually like this effect - except that I never wear a jacket so that will be a problem.
Attire aside though, the effect itself is probably one of the fastest Matrix routines I've seen. The coins show up under one card so fast it is dizzying at first. I have practiced this to the point where the poker chips seem to have moved as fast as my hands. Of course I practice it without a jacket; I really have to learn a way to overcome that handicap. The gaffs are first rate, and the DVD instruction is excellent. I'm surprised at the negative comments thus far. I don’t see it at all in the same light. Thanks! Jim |
Stevini New user 29 Posts |
I have to agree that the 'move' is unnatural. As soon as I watched the trailer it became clear what was going on. Compare this to Bill Malone's classic handling of matrix, and, IMO, Malone's is far superior, and no gimmick! Surely it's paramount that we do not perform any moves which look out of the ordinary to the spec. Anyone with a curious mind will soon watch to see if you are touching the cards in an weird way. Malone's looks clean and natural, this does not. Farquhar is, however, an excellent performer.
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Shawn Farquhar V.I.P. Canada 760 Posts |
Hi folks,
I just found this thread and thought I'd post another official review for perspective. This one appeared in Genii Magazine by David Oliver. I hope it is OK to post this much writing from a magazine, as I'm not sure what the policy is on posting from a magazine. MatriXpress and PhotoFinish by Shawn Farquhar $50 In a word: PARAGON. In recent years, my friend Shawn Farquhar has won more international awards for his magic than the number of awards invented by the IMS each year. That is certainly an accomplishment. What is next for him? After a whirlwind of winning competitions and lecturing at recent conventions, Mr. Farquhar is offering one of his pet effects to our little community. Personally, I think he's nuts. The plot is simple and well-known, but stay with me and follow along anyway. Four coins (or in this case, four poker chips) are spread out on a table in a square formation. One at a time, each chip is cleanly covered with a playing card. After each chip is covered, the magician shows both hands empty. Once the four chips are covered, the magic is ready to begin. However, even those in the audience who think they know what is going to happen are about to be fooled. Without any suspicious, rapid or awkward movements, three of the cards are lifted one at a time, and those three chips are gone. Not concealed beneath the cards, not palmed. Gone! When the last card is lifted, all four chips are underneath. The three chips travelled simultaneously to join the fourth. Mr. Farquhar has taken the premise of Al Schneider's original "Matrix," and added his own methods, gimmicks and techniques to create one of the cleanest versions of this effect I have ever seen. More importantly, it's not just a magician-fooler to be done at Obie's 4F Convention. It actually works just as well in the real world. The poker chips are gimmicked (not shells), and specially designed just for this effect. They can be handled freely by the spectators. However, coins from many countries around the world could be used instead. There is also another gimmick involved, that I can't expose here. Similar tools have been around before, but this has been updated in a most unusually scientific manner. (Those who know, will be surprised that it can basically be turned "on" and "off," and there is no electricity or battery involved. I was certainly surprised!) The only requirement that may prohibit some from performing this, is although there is no pull or hold-out, you must wear long sleeves. You receive the four poker chips, the special gimmick designed by Shawn with John Allen, two photos for the bonus effect "PhotoFinish" and the 43-minute instructional DVD (you may chuckle at the production credits at the end). The DVD also teaches some interesting variations on the original effect. This is easy enough for a beginner to handle, yet perfect for the seasoned professional looking to add a nice piece to an established set. Again, although Shawn is a friend, he knows I would tell him (and you) if his products weren't good. In 10 years of writing reviews, I don't believe I've ever stated the following for any product; the price tag is too low for this. Highly recommended, but I still think he's nuts. MatriXpress and PhotoFinish - Shawn Farquhar - $50 + s&h - available from http://www.magichampion.com or your favorite dealer - |
J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
Thanks Shawn.
As I posted above last year, I love the effect. (Unfortunately, being a pure hobbyist, I don't wear a jacket when performing and to wear one just for this routine would definitely be suspect to my usual audience: friends and family!) Other than the clothing requirement, I don't really understand the complaints about MatriXpress. The chips are too thick? I don't believe that most spectators will consider the chips to be suspect. They move so fast from under their respective cards to where they end up under one card - I just don't see why spectators will associate the chips' thickness as a consideration. Unless the negative comments are directed at performing this for other magicians, I don't agree that any of them detract from a lay-persons' point of view. The entire routine hapens so fast that most spectators will have a difficult time deconstructing it. And the entertainment value - read: magical aspects - should alleviate potential suspicion! Vlad has mentioned that he has a handling of MatriXpress that does not require a jacket; also, a handling that uses Steve Shufton's Portal. (And I'm still waiting for some info about those from him!!!) Granted, this routine, along with all variants of Al Schneider's Classic Matrix, do not come close to the magical effect of Al's classic IMO. But as something different to shift your spectators' attention and focus, this routine is fantastic and generally leaves 'em baffled! Thanks! Jim |
Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
The demo seems to show a sweater type shirt and not a jacket being worn. I do agree the demo is a bit confusing as to the plot. I would think angles is a big consideration as well. It is what it is, I do the original and Paul Gertner's Reverse Matrix, that is enough magic for me.
I do think this type of arm movement is a step back from the very open and fair moves the original Matrix by Al Schneider published. |
jcrabtree2007 Special user 627 Posts |
I just got this trick. Very clever gimmick. I think this gimmick can be applied to other tricks as well. I think it would be a bit easier to pull off if you use a slightly larger playing card.
I also like the poker chips. I do a lot of coins- and a coin matrix. Just adds a bit of variety to the act. I also think Photo Finish is a strong routine as well. Anyone else use this effect and got a parlor sized cards (bigger)? Coins is also an option- he recommends some in the video explanation. |
1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
I really like this one. I always wear long sleeve shirts, so the clothing is not a problem. Great DVD, great props, and great routines.
KJ |
clars Regular user Folsom Ca 116 Posts |
The video for this effect that I watched used coins not chips. Has something changed?
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Shawn Farquhar V.I.P. Canada 760 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 25, 2017, clars wrote: The effect is sold with poker chips but some prefer to use coins. -shawn |
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