"Ink" (Gimmick and DVD) by Mickael Chatelain and Paul Harris
Suggested Retail USD$$44.95
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Ink", the latest release by the ever-clever Mickael Chaterlain, is an astonishing transformation that is flexible, visual, striking, stunning… Oh, let's just say that if James Bond were a performer he wouldn't leave the office without this ingenius little reputation-maker.

The most basic effect with this - and yes, it's still astonishing - is a prediction is written with a Sharpie on the clear cellophane of the card case. Unfortunately, it's the wrong card. However, while everyone stares at the prediction, the ink appears to move and slide along the case, creeping and rearranging itself until it has transformed into the correct name of the chosen card.

Okay, okay. Granted we've seen enough "door" cards to have seen this type of effect a few times. But never, ever like this. Chatelain has taken the old chestnut into the new century with a bang. Get this: as soon as the change happens, the spectator can examine the case and the cellophane. There's nothing to find except a normal, everyday card case.

In fact, bearing to detail, the card case is normal, the cellophane is normal, the pen is normal… all courtesy of a delightfully brilliant little mechanical marvel that does the work for you. That's right: "mechanical": there are no chemicals or special inks to fret with.

Now, anyone who has bought any of Chatelain's previous releases knows he's just not right. His methods are wonderfully sneaky and ingenius, a mix of James Bond and Thomas Edison in my estimation. The gimmick here is no exception. Honestly, this is one you'll really bite your tongue over; it's so clever you'll be sorely tempted to reveal it just to get more jaw-dropping results.

There are only a few things to consider with this:

First, the reset, though quick, will likely require a bit of privacy, perhaps even a trip or three to the bathroom.

Second, the instructions will definitely get you up and going quickly, but they are presented only with subtitles and no vocal instruction. Honestly, this is hardly a hindrance; of bigger concern to me was why an idea and a piece of machinery as clever as this doesn't have more of the instructions dedicated to other ideas and routines, something to get the creative juices flowing.

Last, I'm not a fan of making an incorrect prediction somehow - any "how" - changing to match a chosen card. To me, this comes across about as subtly as clown shoes or a spinning bow-tie. Please, think about this one. Try to find something better here. If you do, you're head and shoulders beyond the rest of the pack and you're approaching reputation-making, tongue-wagging levels of appeal.

At the end of the day, Mickeal Chatelain's "Ink" is a powerful, stunning piece of work that needs just a little bit more work to reach perfection. When it does, this one is a stellar effect you won't leave home without.

"Ink (Gimmick and DVD)" by Mickael Chatelain and Paul Harris
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 8
Angles are good, set-up is quick and easy, and the box is examinable at the end. The only real glitch here is in resetting: while it does reset quickly, you'll want some privacy; a trip to the bathroom will probably be in order.

Workmanship:10
The worksmanship of this piece is excellent. By nature it can be a bit fragile, but treated with care and this will last a lifetime.

Documentation: 8
The documentation, provided on a DVD with no audio instruction, is more than enough to get you going, though it would have been nice to see some different themes and ideas using the gimmick.

Effect: 10
Visual, striking, and surprising… this is terrible. Okay, so it's not. What it really is, though, has to be seen to believe. Jaws drops, screams pour out, and eyes bulge. This some hefty, effective magic.

Presentation: 9
The visuals are definitely there, as is a clean handling. What's missing is a good purpose for the routine. Find that and this becomes a reputation-maker.

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.