I received Crush two days ago and I personally have mixed feelings about the effect. I will not go into a review of the video production quality or teaching efficiency as it is 10/10, as I'm sure we've all come expect by now from T11. I'm gonna focus on simply the gimmicked and ungimmicked version of the effect.
GIMMICKED VERSION: The gimmick itself is well-made and thought-out, and it certainly works fine. However, after rigging mine up for a practice run, I do find the set-up to be rather cumbersome and inconvenient for a majority of performing situations. In the full performance section of the DVD, before I knew the secret, I could clearly see a kind of awkwardness in Eric's demeanor while performing the gimmicked version.
Furthermore, just because the description of the effect states the bottle "can" be borrowed, does not mean the bottle can "always" be borrowed. As a matter of fact, I was unable to perform the gimmicked version with the first two bottles I tried to use from my home. Sure, the gimmick will work for a good portion of bottles, however, there are a number of different variables that can prevent you from borrowing the bottle. These variables I cannot not go into at risk of exposure.
Personally, I think this version of Crush is most suitable for a TV spot or promo. 6/10
UNGIMMICKED VERSION: This is where, in my opinion, the effect shines. Like a lot of great magic, the simple and seemingly obvious can be downright astonishing with the right presentation. Even with the limitations of not being able to borrow the bottle at all; this is overshadowed by fact that the effect is self working, hands on or off, no clean up, and you don't have to worry of flashing or feeling restrained or awkward.
Some might have a problem that this version does not produce as dramatic a crush as the gimmicked version, however I think if you overdo the crush sequence with the gimmick, it tips the method for reasons I obviously can't say. All you need is a couple audible sounds and a clearly visible difference at the end for it to be effective.
There is also a time restraint on the this version, but once again, it is overshadowed by the advantages. Simply perform a quick piece of mentalism before ungimmicked Crush and it will all seem as impromptu as anything else. 8/10
Overall, I am sincerely glad T11 decided to use both methods, as I would probably be a bit disappointed if they hadn't.
P.S. Poland Spring are now making bottles with 30% less plastic and I pretty sure other big companies will follow suit in the coming years. Although I haven't used one of these bottles yet, I believe it should make Crush look even more drastic.
GIMMICKED VERSION: The gimmick itself is well-made and thought-out, and it certainly works fine. However, after rigging mine up for a practice run, I do find the set-up to be rather cumbersome and inconvenient for a majority of performing situations. In the full performance section of the DVD, before I knew the secret, I could clearly see a kind of awkwardness in Eric's demeanor while performing the gimmicked version.
Furthermore, just because the description of the effect states the bottle "can" be borrowed, does not mean the bottle can "always" be borrowed. As a matter of fact, I was unable to perform the gimmicked version with the first two bottles I tried to use from my home. Sure, the gimmick will work for a good portion of bottles, however, there are a number of different variables that can prevent you from borrowing the bottle. These variables I cannot not go into at risk of exposure.
Personally, I think this version of Crush is most suitable for a TV spot or promo. 6/10
UNGIMMICKED VERSION: This is where, in my opinion, the effect shines. Like a lot of great magic, the simple and seemingly obvious can be downright astonishing with the right presentation. Even with the limitations of not being able to borrow the bottle at all; this is overshadowed by fact that the effect is self working, hands on or off, no clean up, and you don't have to worry of flashing or feeling restrained or awkward.
Some might have a problem that this version does not produce as dramatic a crush as the gimmicked version, however I think if you overdo the crush sequence with the gimmick, it tips the method for reasons I obviously can't say. All you need is a couple audible sounds and a clearly visible difference at the end for it to be effective.
There is also a time restraint on the this version, but once again, it is overshadowed by the advantages. Simply perform a quick piece of mentalism before ungimmicked Crush and it will all seem as impromptu as anything else. 8/10
Overall, I am sincerely glad T11 decided to use both methods, as I would probably be a bit disappointed if they hadn't.
P.S. Poland Spring are now making bottles with 30% less plastic and I pretty sure other big companies will follow suit in the coming years. Although I haven't used one of these bottles yet, I believe it should make Crush look even more drastic.