I don't know where to start with this . . . I've got mixed feelings for sure. On the positive side, the production quality of this DVD is top notch, well scripted and very well planned out. Many magic DVDs out there could take a page out of this book. However, this DVD is lacking in so many other proverbial pages. However, the tricks on this DVD, the material taught, the sleights, the method of teaching, etc., were all excellent. For a beginner, I can see this being a real asset. However - and this is big in my book - Mr. Vanel does not credit any magicians for any of the effects - none of which are his. I know first hand at least one magician whose effect he used, with permission, but without credit. Many of the classics are taught here and are even some of the effects that I first cut my teeth on.

However, in many cases, Mr. Vanel makes several serious mistakes. For example, in the "Magical Straight" as he calls it (you and I know it as John Bannon's Play It Straight Triumph), he changed the name, changed one thing in the method that made the trick worse, and more difficult. Additionally, during many of the explanations, Vanel makes the claim that "this trick will take you 3 maybe 4 minutes to master." Really . . . 4 minutes to "Master" a trick. I don't think so. This is a bad idea to plant in the head of a new magician.

If I were to rate this DVD only on the material taught, I would say this is a five star gem (for beginners). However, when I factor in the non-crediting, mucking with the handling, the false notion that anything can be mastered in a few minutes or even a few hours, it's hard to recommend this DVD. There are plenty of other great resources out there for beginners. Much of the material covered here can be found in books like The Royal Road to Card Magic and Encyclopedia of Card Magic and others. I would take the Royal Road before taking Vanel Street. Sorry folks . . . another rubble . . . 2 stars.