Well, after having it suggested to me by several fellow magicians, I decided to pick this up. This was designed to be a real-world, walk-around TNR-Good angles, just visual enough, etc. In addition to the aforementioned front-line effect, there are 5 "bonus effects", all of which are pretty nice. So without further adieu, the review!

Rehab TNR

Think of this as DG's Torn with much better angles. All of the restorations look quite similar, but there are a few things I'd like to point out.

Restoration 1-Almost the same as with Torn. He just performs it in a way thats a little less angly. It looks good though.

Restoration 2-My FAVORITE part of any TNR to date. You are left in such a beautiful position. 3 pieces are fused together, you're only lacking a corner. At this point, you can show your hands completely empty, and show the partially restored card front and back. Such a nice position to be in. This is an amazing convincer as you can imagine. NOTE: You cannot hand it out for examination. Don't let this scare you off though, it is still a great place to be.

Restoration 3 (The Final Piece)-Well, not bad. It's very visual, but it will take a bit of practice. Piece one and two are similar to any other TNR you've done, but the final one is a bit different. It's by no means a knuckle-busting thing to do, its just a little strange. From the spectators view though, it looks outstanding.

PRACTICALITY-Well, it is necessary to note that you must make a gimmick for each performance. As bad as that sounds...it isn't. It consists of ripping a card and will take you about 10 seconds (assuming you were dropped on your head as a child as I was). Its really no big deal. You will also want to pick up a 1-way forcing deck with your order. It will save you time and money down the road . As far as the angles go, for a FULL give it back to them restoration, probably the best I've seen. ReinCARDnation has some excellent angles, but lacks the "they can keep it" aspect. This is definitely a real worker.

Overall-9/10

The Bonus Effects

Prophetic-Its an interesting idea. Just another prediction effect (we all have to many of these). It is pretty sweet though. Undeniably my favorite of the bonus effects.

X Marks the Spot-You draw 4 x's on four different cards. They all jump to the back of a single card. As cool as it sounds, I didn't care for the work on this one. I don't think it's very practical to use in a real world setting. It also sounds much cooler than it really is.

The other 3 aren't really worth writing a review for. I didn't care for them much. Nothing I would really use, they just don't fit my style. If you have questions on any of them just ask here, I'll do my best to answer them.

The Comparisons

I'd like to take a bit of time to compare a few of the popular TNR's. This is one area of magic where I have quite a bit of experience, and hopefully some of you can gain something from it. If not, sorry

Torn-Put out by Mr. Garcia a few years ago, for many this is the TNR. However, despite the incredibly visual nature of the routine, it had some pretty significant downfalls, i.e. the angles, lack of any clean moments (other than the beginning and end). On the positive side, it does look great.

In all honesty though, the best place for this particular TNR is on the TV screen. If you have any substantial audience gathered around, you will flash something horrible.

Where TO perform it-A YouTube video, a stand-up show, close-up show, any place you can REALLY control your angles.

Where NOT to perform it-restaurants, walk-around (arguable depending on environment).

TornTwo-Another DG creation. Released about a year after the original, this is the TNR preferred by many restaurant workers. I, on the other hand, don't really care for it. One small restoration...its just not very climactic. Angles are great though.

Where TO Perform-Restaurants, walk-around, etc.

Where NOT to Perform-Stand-up/Close-up show, Stage show, etc. (It should be substituted for a more visually appealing TNR).

TnR-Released by Mathiew Bich sometime last year (I think). For visuals, this one takes the prize. If you want a piece by piece restoration that looks like TRUE magic, this is your best bet. No funny business, no moves, just incredible.

The Downsides. The fully restored card doesn't end up as their card. What the edited? They have several justifications for this, and they are all feasible. I have their selection end up in a card box. But seriously, its not a true TnR if you can't really give them their card. It isn't even an option. Also, the pieces have a tendency to "not restore" at the most inopportune moments, meaning you have to repeatedly make gimmicks. Unfortunately, these are no where near as easy to make as the ones for Rehab. Also, a reset is required. As far as practicality goes, this one is definitely toward (if not at) the bottom.

Where TO Perform-A close-up show, a stand-up show.

Where NOT to Perform-Everywhere else.

ReinCARDnation-Up until now, my TNR of choice. Why, you may ask? Its easy, scores decently on the visual-meter 2000 (everything sounds better with a 2k after it), and its completely impromptu. You can do it with any deck, and its a piece by piece signed card restoration only using one card. This one deserves a pro-con.

Pro's-Visual, easy, impromptu, only uses one card, some nice "clean" moments.

Con's-The final restoration is rather weak, and the ending is, well...different. Many dislike it, and I can see why. For me, however, it has worked fine. It's obviously not as good as being able to give them the souvenir, but the Pro's outweigh the Con's on this one (at least for me).

Final Notes

Of the TNR's that I reviewed, they all have their place. I am pleasantly surprised with Rehab, and plan to begin using it as a regular part of my performing repertoire. The gimmicks are easy to make, and you could easily make 10 of them before your gig.

ReinCARDnation will still be a regular. It's to great to pass up. Whenever I'm caught offguard, this is what I'll use. It lacks the great ending of handing it out as a finale, but it's still great.

TnR, as amazing as it looks in the demo, will never make it into one of my sets or shows.

Torn is out of here for good. Rehab hits all of the high points with very few of the lows. Don't get me wrong, it looks great-Rehab is just 10x more practical, easier, and nearly as visual.

*There are over 50 TNR's out there. I have just given a comparison to some of the more popular ones. If you would like my thoughts on another one, just ask. Chances are I have it (TNR's are like an addiction).


-Silvernail

Just one clarification here. Torn was originally released in the mid 80's, early 90's or so on a VHS tape. This was then re-shot in a more clear way when Danny started to get back and as a DVD. That was more than a couple years ago. Torn Too came out last year, not the year after torn DVD. I think you should compare Rehab and Reparation. I personally felt that a booklet was better than the DVD. THese seem to look about the same pretty much except for the cards being different ways.

You sir, are correct. My apologies.

Rehab Vs. Reparation

This will be incredibly biased, but I'll do my best.

Simplicity

I find many of the moves in Reparation rather awkward. It is also rather angle sensitive (Rehab still has angle limitations, but they are much broader). The restorations are also pulled off easier. Everything is justified.

Rehab Wins



Practicality

Reparation resets easier, but Rehab can be used in rougher environments. If you have Reparation down pat, It wins here. If, however, you have no experience with TNR's, its Rehab hands down.

Tie

Visual-ness

Considering the angles, Rehab holds its own. However, it is undeniable that this goes to Reparation. The restorations look pretty darn good if you have them down.

Angles

Rehab...

Final Notes

Someone else might want to compare these two. I have messed around with Reparation, and don't like it at all. If I wanted something along those lines, I would go with Torn.

Overall, I am quite pleased with my purchase. Rehab will, without a doubt, become a staple in my restaurant sets. It takes 10 minutes (if that) to make everything you need for a night.

Oh, one last thing. I LOVE the signed front and back. Granted, the back is signed by the magician, it still looks great. You have a signature of some sorts present at all times. This, I feel, is a great little subtlety. The 3rd piece is also a thing a beauty. You're in a better position than nearly any other TNR at that point.

All in all, Rehab comes out on top. I just think it will be tough to beat. As far as the "going to the pockets" in the demo, it can be done MUCH faster. I don't know if he was nervous while filming (understandable), but you can easily make it look like the hand goes in and right back out.

Hope this helps,

-Silvernail

[/b]