TRICK REVIEW - Arrested by Adrian Vega
Here is my in-depth review of Arrested by Adrian Vega.
REVIEW PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy is simple: to give you the truth.
When I review a product, I’d like to judge the product per se, but not putting past record or creator’s name/reputation into consideration. I will provide what is not said on the advertisement and details beyond the product itself.
I have no affiliation with any magicians or dealers, and I paid the full price of this product. I am not here to help creators and dealers to make sales, thus you will have everything good and bad about the product. Almost nothing is left out.
I believe by giving you the most transparent information, you will have better insight beyond the product description.
This is the goal of my reviews, and I hope you will agree that in-depth and unbiased reviews are good for you and the community.
I have spent a lot of effort on these reviews. Therefore, your support means SO MUCH to me.
I will appreciate it much if you can subscribe my YouTube and social media. It really makes a big difference with your support.
Follow my Instagram for mini-review from time to time.
Cryptocurrency donation is accepted!
BTC: 1syAgCDjE1v3xSDzxAME31F2wYEEgKJng
ETH: 0xce27023fBd1EdAe966181AE6B0C6523BB705Db8d
BCH: bitcoincash:qz24up8uljyma3wk09ca0jart972qgy38uupwfu85w
YOUTUBE REVIEW
If you want to watch the review, here is the YouTube version.
EFFECT
A prediction is put on the table before two selections are made. After the selections are returned to the deck, you tear 2 holes out of the prediction card to form a thumb cuff.
After failing to locate the selections, you tear off the thumb cuff to show that each half represent the selections.
WHAT YOU GET?
You will receive a 26 gimmick cards, each for one performance.
Custom Jokers cards are also provided. Unlike the gimmick cards, they are not consumable items.
A link to the password protected online instruction is also provided.
QUALITY OF THE GIMMICK
The design of the gimmick is ingenious. The gimmick is custom printed. Each performance will consume one gimmick card.
However, due to the special printing of the gimmick, the outcome maybe not be 100% perfect after you tear the card. Thus, before performance, it’s recommended to prepare the gimmick card. It’s very easy and may only take 20 seconds for each card.
The custom Joker is only for facilitating the effect. It comes with special printing. But even if you are not using it, the effect works unless audience is super attentive.
To conclude, the gimmick card design is simple and clever. It can be passed for inspection and as souvenir. There are some very thoughtful design which makes the execution of the tear more effective. I am very satisfied with the gimmick.
QUALITY OF THE TUTORIAL
The effect is explained in a 48 minutes and 18 seconds long video. The explanation is presented by Arian Vega and Nick Locapo.
The tutorial is very clear and comes with 2 versions of the routines. Both version has their merits respectively for different performance style.
Length (in minutes) of the main parts (I literally counted):
Performance (version 1) with Adrian Vega - 3:25
Explanation of Version 1 - 10:02
Performance (version 2) with Nick Locapo - 2:36
Explanation of Version 2 - 17:00
Version 1 by Andrian Vega
This is a version used by the creator. The performance usually last about 3-4 minutes.
Andrian Vega’s presentation on this tutorial reminds me of Dani DaOrtiz. It takes a non-caring approach and very casual.
2 techniques are used in this version. Both are easy and within the reach of beginners. However, both techniques are not explained in details, which is understandable because they are very common and there are many ways to do it.
In this version, 2 ways of tearing the gimmick card are taught. The first one is more clean but requires slight preparation as mentioned above. The second one does not require preparation. Both ways are practical.
The presentation involves a moment of magician’s failure to find the selections. If you are not comfortable at pretending to fail, you may want to perform Version 2 by Nike Locapo.
Version 2 by Nike Locapo
This version differs in several aspects from the original routine.
First of all, everything happen in performer’s hands, until the last moment where the torn card is passed to the spectators. The audience do not need to take out the selections and put them back.
Similar to version 1, 2 techniques are involved but the execution is slightly different. Preparation is needed in this version but you can alter the handling to eliminate it.
The advantage of this version is, you let spectator to spread through a normal deck to confirm the selections have vanished from the deck.
Conclusion
There are 4 live performances in the tutorial. The explanation is crystal clear. There are many possibility for presentation. These 2 versions are just some of the examples.
Though both versions involves preparation fo the gimmick card, this step can be omitted. The trick can even be done in the middle of your act as long as you can add the gimmick cards to the deck.
However, since the routine involves 2 selections, it may not be too ideal for 1-on1 performance.
I am very satisfied with the teaching. Penguin Magic and Adrian Vega have done a great job on this tutorial.
KEY POINTS OF THE PRODUCT
The gimmick is well designed.
Each performance will consume one gimmick card.
The main package comes with 26 gimmick cards. But refill is available.
Routine is very solid and practical.
Easy preparation.
Not ideal for one spectator.
Reasonable price
DIFFICULTY
The techniques involved are very basic. The most difficult part is about tearing the gimmick nicely without ‘revealing’ the secret somehow.
Tearing the holes in the gimmick card also needs practice.
EXAMINABLE?
The gimmick is not examinable during the effect. But it can be passed as souvenir afterwards.
PROS ABOUT THE PRODUCT
The gimmick card is nicely printed and designed.
Super practical and effective effect.
Very reasonable price.
CONS ABOUT THE PRODUCT
Gimmick card is consumable item.
Not ideal for single spectator.
FINAL VERDICT
Arrested by Adrian Vega is a very nice effect with built-in humor and interesting theme.
I am impressed by how practical and effective it is. With a single gimmick, you are able to perform something beyond audience imagination.
The convincer built into the gimmick is ingenious. One thing I love about this effect much is, unlike most fusion effects where 2 selections are fused into an impossible object, this effect ends with an intangible object in spectator’s mind. In a sense, it’s superior to impossible object because the explanation of special printed card will not come to their minds. The level of deception of this gimmick is very deep.
If you know and love Tornado by Justin Flom and Rick Lax, this effect will delight you much. It offers you gimmicks for more performances at the same price. And it’s a very easy routine which can be mastered in short time. It has my highest recommendation to any professionals and hobbyists. Arrested is strong enough as closer, and intriguing enough to grab all the attention as opener.
Tutorial Quality: 9/10
Effectiveness of Tricks: 10/10
Practical: 10/10
Creativity: 9/10
Cost Performance: 9/10
Final Score: 10/10
Your support will help my work on unbiased and honest very much!
I will also give you my personal thank you note for each donation.
Cryptocurrency donation is accepted!
BTC: 1syAgCDjE1v3xSDzxAME31F2wYEEgKJng
ETH: 0xce27023fBd1EdAe966181AE6B0C6523BB705Db8d
BCH: bitcoincash:qz24up8uljyma3wk09ca0jart972qgy38uupwfu85w
Thank you for reading. You can ask me any questions in the comment below.
Please subscribe to my channel for more reviews on the latest products. I can guarantee that my review will be getting better and better in future.
Follow my Instagram for mini-review from time to time.
ONE MORE THING
My daughter is my motivation to write magic reviews.
If you would like to read/watch more in-depth reviews, please follow her Instagram for some nice magic performance.
Hope the review helpful to you all.
Thank you for reading this review.