"Chain Reaction" DVD by Andrew Mayne
Suggested Retail USD$15.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Chain Reaction", a DVD by Andrew Mayne, is a flashy, strange, in-your-face effect that gets not just gasps but shrieks from spectators or, to paraphrase a line from a certain horror movie, "Oh, yes, there will be expletives".

The effect of "Chain Reaction" is ludicrously simple. Beginning with a deck of cards, the performer cleanly rips the centers out of some of them. In a instant, all the "centerless" cards are now linked together to form a long chain of playing cards.

Of course, that's the simple way of presenting it and, also of course, Mayne has covered the bases by adding an effect using this to produce a selected card.

Really, that's all there is to it. It's quick, simple, and shocking. If you ever want to take peoples' breaths away, draw out those shrieks and hollers, well, "Chain Reaction" will do it for you.

Now, onto the details.

"Chain Reaction" is more practical than I first thought. The only real downside is the loss of some pocket space and that's not as bad as it sounds -- it all depends on how long you want to make your chain. Mayne put together the "extra something" to keep things orderly and compressed and that takes much of the sting out of carrying the thing around. Reset is quick after a bit of practice, and repeating it is not a worry unless you use it as a card revelation (you'll want to make additional sets up since each chain will can reveal two different cards). "Chain Reaction" also plays comfortably across most venues: stage, platform, close-up, strolling... This one will work most anywhere. Examination can be an issue but Mayne teaches a simple construction method that will cover that as well, though you should be prepared to spend a good deal more time putting that version together than the simpler one.

Yeah, I like this one. But then I like anything that is surprising and different and "Chain Reaction" is certainly that.

So what do you get for your hard-earned money? On the DVD, Mayne teaches three different routines, each a bit harder than the other but all still easy to accomplish thanks in large part to Mayne's excellent instructions. Two of the routines are basic production pieces and the third routine uses the chain to reveal a selected card. All of the routines play so which routine you use depends squarely on your own personal tastes.

Speaking of which, "Chain Reaction" won't suit everyone, but then nothing does. But if you're looking for something different, something so surprising it's shocking, and the theme works for you, "Chain Reaction" deserves a look. It's a solid, weird piece of business that gets the reactions.

"Chain Reaction" DVD by Andrew Mayne
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Material: 10
It's another crazy/weird production from Mayne and it's a good one. Striking, visual, and surprising, it's a very different climax to a card revelation or a stand-alone production. While certainly not for everyone, for those looking for a bit of insanity (and lots of surprised laughter), it's an excellent piece.

Practicality: 9
The only real negative here is the pocket space you'll lose, the amount of which depends on how long you make your chain. Reset will take a minute or two until you become practiced in putting it all back together, and if you want to repeat this as a card revelation you'll need to make additional loads (each on is good for the revelation of two different cards).

Quality of Production: 10
Mayne is always careful about his production values and that care shows: great video, great audio, and simple navigation.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Mayne does his usual superb job of teaching his material, covering all the bases from construction to performance to additional ideas. You'll have no problem getting this one going.

Presentation: 9
"Chain Reaction" is all about shock-value, the in-your-face appearance that makes spectators gasp and scream and laugh and, brother, does it ever work that way. Now throw in the revelation just for kicks and you've got a strange piece of magic.


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.