"Angelux" by Diego Antoine
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 5 Out of 10

"Angelux", an effect by Diego Antoine, is as beautiful, as clean, and as magical a thing as you could ever ask for, though it's a shame you'll likely never perform it due to it being as impractical as it is gorgeous.

"Angelux" is, in short, a method of making small objects vanish and -- sometimes, depending on the object -- appear. It is so pretty it's hard to describe, except to say some of the work with this looks like magic should. Check out the videos on this one to see just how good it looks.

And here come the problems.

"Angelux", you see, is based on an extension of an old, seldom seen but often explored idea. The reason for its scarcity is just how impractical it is. Take the angles for example. Your angles have to be dead-on, so all but the most skillful and daring -- or the most arrogant and stupid -- will attempt this with a good-sized group; one-on-one seems to be the best. If that were the only problem with "Angelux", it would still be a great work, but unfortunately that's only the beginning. You've also got set-up issues, lighting issues, reset issues... and the list goes on. Some of these issues can be addressed pretty easily -- some of the vanishes that use a table could be adapted to be done in the hands -- but some of them are just crippling (with angles being the big one).

It's a shame, really. The easy openness of this one, the casual cleanliness, makes this a wonder. But what good it is if you never have a chance to perform it?

Still, it's not a total waste. It's easy to learn the moves, leaving you to concentrate on some of the problem areas you'll encounter. And it does look good. In a formal setting, perhaps, this could really add some punch to an existing routine. If you can deal with the practicality issues, then this is a pretty good thing to have in your arsenal.

For the most part, though, I'm afraid this one will end up sitting in more sock drawers than going out in your pocket.

Regretfully, this is one not recommended.

"Angelux" by Diego Antoine
In a Blink: 5 Out of 10

Practicality: 1
As good as this looks, it's just not that practical. You'll need tables and have to watch the lighting and mind the angles and then there's the set-up and the reset, both of which are going to take time and probably distance and... well, you get the idea.

Workmanship: 5
There's better out there, but this item -- readily available from any magic shop -- works fine.

Documentation: 5
The documentation, on DVD, is good enough to get you started, especially if you're used to working with the gimmick.

Effect: 10
If you really want to watch eyes bulge, this is the trick for you. Even the simplest of vanishes look beautiful and is stunning.

Presentation: 10
It's all about cleanliness here and "Angelux" has it in spades. The vanishes here are gorgeous and, if you find a suitable time and place for it, wondrously magical.

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.