I know that a thread already exists for this, and I'm not trying to steal any thunder from the other threads, but I wrote an extremely detailed review of this product on another forum and on my blog, and I thought that rather than posting an extremely detailed review with on the same thread as a very very detailed review, that I would give this one it's own thread, so here is a cut and paste from my blog:

I just got my copy of Wrap it Up the other day. I've now watched it 4 times, so I thought I'd post a review for those who have been thinking about this.

DVD Quality and Overall Value 10/10:
- The cost is only $25.00
- It comes with a few pieces of the gum
- It comes with everything you need to make the gimmick
- The DVD Includes 12 different handlings (one for just about every performance venue)
- The Quality of the DVD was excellent and the instruction was very detailed and thorough

There are several versions of the handling; some are ungimmicked and some use gimmicks. There are three different gimmicks. The one you use will, of course, depend on which handling you use. Here are the Various handlings and my rating and opinion of each. Also, note that my critique will be based on the venue that I perform in (table-hopping and strolling magic), so those that don't fit my venue may be given a bit lower rating than those that do:

The Snap Handling (10/10):
Uses the main/original gimmick from the 1985 lecture notes - we'll call it gimmick #1. This is very visual and very practical. You show the piece of chewed gum on the wrapper, close it in your fist, snap your fingers and open your hand to reveal a fully restored and wrapped piece of gum that can be handed out, and you are clean. There's no "funny" moves it looks like real magic. This would be most suited to table-hopping.

The Mid Air Handling (10/10):
This also uses "gimmick #1." This is the same effect as "The Snap Handling" however, the chewed gum and wrapper are thrown into the air. The restoration appears to happen in mid air. Although this handling would work well in strolling situations, it's perfect for a bit larger crowd where you're performing a set in front of a group. It would also be perfect for children's shows.

Table Drop (10/10) / In Their Hands (10/10):
Again we have "gimmick #1." This has the same illusion as "The Mid Air Handling," but rather than in the air, it happens as the piece of chewed gum and wrapper fall to the table (or audiences cupped hand). Both, of course is perfect for table-hopping. However the "In Their Hands" version is particularly well suited for working in a strolling situation like a cocktail party or something where people are just mingling and you really don't have a table.

Appearing Wrapper (8/10):
This uses "Gimmick #2" which is really a modification of "Gimmick #1." This is the same effect as "The Snap Handling" in the sense that the magic happens in the closed fist of the performer as the fingers are snapped. The effect is great, and I like the presentational idea of pretending to take the gum from the bottom of the table (granted you have to read your audience a little before using that presentational hook). The reason I gave this an 8 is because I think that the gimmick is not as convincing as "gimmick #1." It's still a killer effect, but I just like the other gimmick better.

Thumb Tip Handling (12/10):
This is my favorite handling and is the one I'll be using the most. It of course uses "Gimmick #3." You can figure out what the gimmick is by reading the title of the handling. This one is one of those, "Why didn't I think of it" deals. Plus the cool thing about this handling is that you really could use any kind of gum. Whereas some of the other handlings, you'd have to use the "bazooka" style hard bubble gum, with this one you could use pretty much whatever kind of gum you already chew. This is best suited for strolling in a bar, but would work in just about any venue.

JC's Handling (8/10):
Don't get me wrong; I love JC Wagner, but I never get to perform in that venue where you have a bar and the built in advantages that come with that kind of performing venue. I love this trick, and I love the handling, and best of all, it uses no gimmick. However, you must be either seated or working from behind a bar. I just happen to never perform this way, so I'd never use it. However if you perform seated or maybe do magic when your out to dinner with friends, etc, then this is actually one of the best handlings.

The Slydini Way (7/10):
If you're familiar with Slydini's work then, of course, you know his primary M.O. which is an M.O. that I don't use. Most big (that's code for fat) magicians don't use this technique. You know who you are and you know why. ... That, however, doesn't mean that this isn't a good effect. It's just not as practical for me. It does not use a gimmick which is a plus, but you do have to tear up a wrapper which is a minor bummer. The effect, of course, is beautiful and was (as Jay mentions on the DVD) inspired by Slydini's torn and restored cigarette which is also a beautiful piece of magic. I gave a bit of a low rating because most people don't get the opportunity to perform under these circumstances, and it is a bit messy in the end.

The Transposition Sequence (6/10):
This was probably my least favorite handling. Even so, it's still a nice piece, but just not my style. Again, no gimmicks are used, but you must be seated or behind a bar. It does have a nice rythm and flow to it and is a bit sort of poetic in it's style, but it's not as practical as many of the other handlings.

Impossible Restoration (9/10):
This one is awesome. It combines one of Jay's way-back-when effects called "The Price of Admission," which I used to do back in the day, with the restored bubble gum. The effect is that the torn up wrapper turns into a fully wrapped piece of unchewed gum. The beauty of this is that you don't have to mess with the chewed up gum, plus there are no gimmicks (although a little prep work is needed on the wrapper). This is a very visual and clean vanish of the torn pieces which you could do naked if that's your thing. The only reason I gave it a 9 is because it's a little bit complicated to get in and out of the effect. But it's worth the time. It's especially good for when you're performing a set for an audience rather than strolling or hopping.

The Lo-Tech Handling (10/10):
This is my second favorite version. Again, there are no gimmicks employed and it's just a very straight-forward two phase restoration. First you take the chewed gum out of your mouth and change it cleanly into an unchewed piece of gum. Then another pass of your hand over the piece of gum and the wrapper suddenly appears around the gum. It's just killer, and it's instant reset and can be done over and over again all night. This is perfect for strolling and hopping venues, and of course would work well behind the bar and at most other venues.

Oral Fixation (7/10):
If you're a street guy, then this one's up your alley (get it, street... alley... get it...). This is so far removed from my style, but I can still appreciate a good effect when I see one. The idea is simply that you're chewing a piece of gum, then you tear up the wrapper and put it in your mouth with the gum. After a moment or two of facial contortions, you spit out a piece of wrapped, unchewed gum. Very Angel/Blaine-ish. A little gross for my taste, but still a cool idea, and I'm sure that there will be a ton of street-style performers who will use this one.

I think that the best effects on this DVD are the ones where you simply take the gum and simply restore it to an unchewed wrapped piece of gum. Any thing more than that is a little bit more than I would want to do with chewed gum. You may notice, therefore, that the ones that stuck to that simple plot had the best ratings. Notice however, that even the ones with low ratings were still good effects, just not my style. Overall, I highly recommend this. There is a handling style for every venue. No matter where you perform, you'll be able to find a version that works for you. The majority of the handlings are instant reset and repeatable, and all of the handlings are very visual and very magical looking. Watching this video reminds me of how I felt years ago when I first saw the demo video for the "Raven." It was like watching real magic. It was like watching magic as a "lay person" again.

For the price and everything that you get with it, you can't beat it.

Thanks Jeff for taking the time to post your review. I've decided NOT to get this because of YOUR recommendation...................... Did Jay put you up to this???????? Just kidding !! Sounds good, may just pick this up, but not sure this will work in a restaurant table hopping setting. Who wants to look at a chewed up piece of gum before they eat?
DP

Jay pays me a thousand dollars a word! Why do you think the post was so long.

Actually you make a good point about the chewed gum restaurant thing. In fact that's what I first thought when I heard of the effect back in the day. However, the DVD actually has quite a few handlings that don't use chewed gum but just the wrapped and unwrapped gum. For these, you could even use starburst or any other individually wrapped type of candy or gum... now and laters (remember those?).

Also, even some of the chewed ones are good for restaurant work if you do 'em right. I like the presentational idea of pulling a piece of gum off the bottom of the table and "restoring" it. If I find the right audience, I'll use the inline of "have you ever accidentally stuck your hand in ABC gum under a chair or table?" "Have you ever wondered what kind of gum it was?" "I've figured out a way to tell what kind it is... watch this." Then you go into the effect where you apparently grab a piece from under the table and magically restore it to unchewed and wrapped up.

Then end with a line like, "I guess this one was bazooka joe gum!" It's fun. With all the stuff that comes with the DVD it's tough to loose.

Beautiful review.....I'm sold. Thanks for taking the time to share your honest thoughts.

By the way.....what is the title of the lecture notes and this effect (I believe it was called something else) that has his original handling for "Wrap It Up"?

WONDERFUl review for everyone. GREAT JOB!!!!!

Yes, you helped a lot.
So I can do a lot of the effects again and again using the gums provided with it? That's good!
Now I can buy it!
Thanks!

It's only $18.75 here ( and free shipping ):

http://penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=1626

The lecture notes were called "Memorable Images" from 1985, and the effect was called "Sugarless Gum."

If I missed the answer sorry. Can you hand out the gum afterwards? And can you make your own gimmicks or when I loose or break them that's it?

Thanks for the info jstone......time to go digging through old lecture notes as I'm fairly sure I have it.

Yes, the gum can be given away as a souvenir and you can make your own gimmicks easily. The DVD comes with everything to make the gimmicks, but if you break yours or lose it or sell it on the black market to Chinese lizards, you can easily for just a few dollars make a new one.

This effect is a wonderful offbeat piece of magic; fantastic idea!

Hey there wrappers.

I've been reading in quite a few places about Wrap it Up, and it seems that a common concern is that nobody knows where to find the gum. Well good news... I found a couple of websites where you can order the gum. Actually one of the websites was right on the comic strip inside the gum that comes with the Wrap it Up DVD. Anyway, here are the sites:

Original Bazooka
Dubble Bubble
Dubble Bubble Website

Awesome. Although I haven't looked yet, I'm surprised people are having trouble finding Double Bubble. Isn't this a very common gum? I would think you could buy inexpensive bags of it in drug stores or party stores.

I have this item for sale/trade. PM me.

Wow, don't you like it?

Just a note. Picked up this free with Mercuring on Jays site. Weekly deal around $19 + shipping