"HighFlyer" by Peter Eggink
Suggested Retail USD$30.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

"HighFlyer", the latest by the always-creative mind of Peter Eggink, is an interesting addition to an Ambitious Card Routine, but with a climax that just doesn't make much sense.

Here's the "HighFlyer" routine:

A card is selected and signed (no force) across the face. A short Ambitious Card sequence follows, with the signed card being put back into the middle fo the deck and the card appearing on the top a few times. Explaining that the spectator can't really see the card appear on top of the deck, the performer signs the back of the card. The newly-signed-on-both-sides card is put into the middle of the deck and the deck shuffled. The deck is shaken and the signed card appears visually on top of the deck. Explaining that the signed card is so ambitious it tries to go further than the top, the signed card is put face-up on top of the deck and the deck given to the spectator to hold. The performer passes his fingers over the card and, after a moment, the card leaps off the top of the deck and onto the performer's fingers.

Now, I'll be the first to say I love the visual appearance of the card on top of the deck. That's just neat. And the handling is pretty sweet and almost effortless. For my money, you could almost stop there (and, if I may, add Eggink's wonderful "Elevator" climax, which he teaches on another disc).

And in my opinion, you should.

The next part, the "levitation", just doesn't live up to its potential. It almost appears tacked on. That it's less "levitate" and more "pasteboard Pop-Tart" doesn't help its case much. Doing this one didn't really help me like it much better: while folks where gasping at the visual appearance of the card back on top of the deck, the levitation instantly had them laughing and checking the card for magnets (which is pretty much what that phase looks like).

Stunned silence to laughter seems like a step backwards to me.

The other considerations we look at when it comes to plopping our money down -- practicality, craftmanship, etc. -- are all very good here. In fact, there's really nothing that makes this a bad purchase, just a very picky one.

If that levitation really does it for you, if you think you can sell it as Eggink seems to be able to, then by all means get this one. It's clever, visual, and can add to an Ambitious Card Routine that otherwise lacks a clear climax. If it doesn't, if you're unsure about getting a powerful punch from that pop-up, then this is one you should likely pass by.

It breaks down as simple as that.

Let's label this one "Recommended, but only for the adventurous".

"Highflyer" by Peter Eggink
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
You've got a gimmick you'll need to ring in and out, and considering its construction, your deck is going to be a bit limited. Angles are also an issue here, but are easily managed. All in all, this is a very practical piece.

Workmanship: 9
The gimmick is well constructed, but due to its nature it is going to have to be handled gently. With care, it should last a while.

Documentation: 8
The accompanying DVD is very good, with Eggink doing an excellent job of instruction, but unfortunately the camerawork needs help in some places.

Effect: 7
While this isn't particularly stunning material, it still plays well as a surprising climax, especially the visual appearance.

Presentation: 5
The visuals are nice here, and the handling smooth, but the levitation-into-pop-up is too much of a non-sequitur and risks becoming overkill.

Shane