Cris Johnson
New user
Niagara Falls, NY
86 Posts
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Posted: Nov 25, 2009 6:21pm
Cris Johnson here, back with another review. Again, just to let everyone know, I'm primarily a school assembly guy. That's my focus and that's how I evaluate effects. I look for stuff that holds up well (IE won'e fall apart) and is suitable for stage. I occasionally do closeup, but that's not my full-time focus. I only mention all of this so readers know my perspective in my review. Some are collectors, some are primarily performers for private parties and smaller groups. All of this affects our decisions on the kind of magic we buy. On to the reveiew!
The Routine: The Bewildering Blocks effect has been manufactured by many others over the years, which Jay acknowledges. I've been performing this for 12 years (Leslie's for 2) and the effect is simple to understand. Two identical stacks of blocks, numbered 1-6, are shown. Whenever one stack's order of numbers is changed, the other stack instantly changes to match whenever it is briefly covered with a large tube. Various number changes happen during the routine with the finale being that a spectator gives a random order for one stack of blocks. Amazingly, the second set still changes to match this randomly generated order!
My History: As I said, I've performed this effect for 12 years. For ten of those years, I used Harrie's Magic version of the effect and despite the opinions of some Café members, I actually liked it. Then two years ago, my Cube Libre was destroyed on a flight to a gig. (Thanks, United) This was in spite of using hardshell Samsonite suitcases! Anyway, I decided, after a conversation with Paul Gross to take the plunge and buy Jay Leslie's version.
The Verdict: There is no comparison. Leslie's version ROCKS. The "dirty work" is accomplished by a means vastly superior to the Harries version, in part because Leslie's is so simple. Harrie's used a mechanism which could fail over time. (I got lucky for 10 years, but I could see where it COULD fail.)
Jay's version is also lighter, and better built. I ca't go too much into the details of construction without exposure, but let's just say it's wayyyy better.
The only quibble I have, and this is just a personal preference, is Jay's version, which he credits to an early creator of the effect, uses a 6-phase presentation with an option for a 7th phase. To me, this is just too long. I've been using 4 phases for 12 years and that's what I'm comfortable with.
TRANSPORT: The props come in a fairly sturdy cardboard box that fits everything snugly. I didn't feel good carrying a cardboard box into shows, so I contacted Hocus Pocus and through them hired Jay to custom build me a wooden box, that is nicely lined inside and has a divider to keep everything in tip top condition and secure.
DIFFERENT VERSIONS: I know Jay recently came out with a "modernistic" version which looks nice - red and white. He also has a "jumbo" version which runs $950. My set is the standard black and yellow, and ran me about $595.
VISIBILITY: One of the advantages of this version is the fact that the numbers are in a bright matte yellow against a black background on the cubes, meaning the numbers "pop" for any size audience. The matte black finish ensures spotlights won't turn your effect into a blur for your audience. Good psychology in the design.
OVERALL: Two thumbs wayyyy up on this one with the caveat that for the full timers out there, pay the extra bucks and get a nice case to transport the prop - either one built by Jay or elsewhere. This prop is gorgeous and deserves to be protected.
Cris
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