"You Blue It" DVD by Ed Ellis
Suggested Retail USD$20.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"You Blue It", a massive card routine by Ed Ellis, is a beautifully structured, multi-phased routine that will get applause every time you perform it, and perform it you will.

The effect is simple: "You Blue It" is a color-changing card routine on steroids. In it, a card is selected from a red-backed deck and signed on the face with a blue marker (this becomes important presentationally). The signed card then turns into a blue-backed card. Next, the signature vanishes from the card, then the card turns back into a red-backed card. In order to create a souvenir for the spectator, the signature magically re-appears and the card's back turns blue again. At this point, the card can be given to a spectator and the deck used for other things if you want.

There's really little else to be said about the routine other than that: it's astonishingly clean and visual for what it is. As to the mechanics, be prepared to spend a lot of time working on some of the sleights Ellis uses -- in particular, his "Materialize" change will require lots of practice. There are no gimmicks here, so it's all about a regular deck, your magic fingers, and Ellis' wonderful routine.

What makes the routine so good? The pacing, the visuals, and the entertainment value. Although it sounds like a ton of stuff is going on here, the routine plays remarkably quick yet not so rapidly the magic runs over itself. As for the visuals, Ellis out-did himself there: some of the visuals are just plain striking. The entertainment?

The entertainment value here is the "x factor". Ellis keeps the routine light and breezy -- as his venue demands -- and lets the magic do the talking. His presentational bits, at once narrative and fun, keep everything on the tracks, running smoothly, and keeps the spectators involved in the proceedings. By the time the card has changed back for the final time, spectators are laughing and enjoying themselves and, really, what more can you ask for?

"You Blue It" is the real goods here. Period.

"You Blue It" by Ed Ellis
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
It's a monster card routine, packed with one change after the other, that is, from the first moment to the last, charged with magic and sometimes quite visual magic at that. If there's only one card routine you'll do in your act, this is it. Now, throw in some good advice about working in restaurants and you have a keeper here.

Practicality: 10
Ellis made this for his venue -- restaurants -- and it's as practical as you can get for that demanding area: the set-up is very minor, reseting is a breeze, angles are not an issue, the deck is open to any other card routine you want to throw at them when you're done, and even the real estate you need is very, very small. This is one designed for your pocket and comes out ready to go.

Quality of Production: 10
Wow. That's all I can say here. Everything is perfect and the inclusion of overlaid video during the instruction is a beautiful touch.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Ellis does a superlative job of teaching his routine, covering the basics as well as the more advanced concepts clearly and thoroughly.

Presentation: 10
Ellis knows his venue and he knows his stuff: his magic naturally has to be quick, eye-catching, and entertaining. "You Blue It" has all that and more.


Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.