I am a fan of Garcia's work. He has solid methods that are typically workable and fun. Mint Box is
no difference. The gimmick is simple, visual, fun, and pretty consistent.
Pros: Visual,
Fun, Simple, small (in pocket), easily repeatable, and workable.
Cons: Fragile, limited
information, and cost.
The Gimmick: When getting the gimmick, there are several warnings to
read the instructions or watch the online instructional video before attempting to use the gimmick,
for good reason. The way the gimmick is constructed and how it works is not typical to how similar
gimmicks work so you can break it. Garcia does not provide refills or instructions to fix the
gimmick. If you ruin the gimmick, which in my opinion, will happen over time, there is no real way
to fix it unless you source it yourself. With that being said, the gimmick is quite simple, which I
really like. Once you get the gimmick to work and understand how it works, it is a deceptive trick.
It looks convincing and it allows super clean shows. He also provides suggestions for fun
"Instagram" video tricks which is a fun addition. I like the gimmick's organic look since it is made
from a real Altoids tin. It is easy to motivate and easy to carry. The box is not easily broken so
pocket management is great.
The Instruction: Danny goes over the umbrella information,
including the routines shown in the trailer and teaser. The main routine is a solid 2 phase kicker
that is pretty easy to do. No real sleights involved except a few basic 101 kind of moves. He goes
over each move and explains some variations of how to do it. He then goes over some variations of
switching the card for different angles and variations. These are nice to add to that toolbox. The
video (an online instruction that you cannot download, unless through penguin) is 31:30 minutes
long. It does not go over maintenance, other routines, or other uses for the gimmick. Due to the
fact that it does not explain how to construct the gimmick, you are unable to modify the gimmick to
fit other routines that may involve money, different cards, or billets. I think options for these
would provide more bang for the buck, especially since you are paying 60$ for the routine.
Overall: I like this product. It provides a great card to box which can be easily rationalized
for performance, the handling is simple and clean, and the reactions are great (since it happens in
their hands). This is simple to add to your set and requires minimal new sleights. The downside for
me is what you get for this price. I have seen other products come out with more diversity and
product than this from other creators costing half the price (or more). In this package, you get the
Mint Box gimmick set to go out of the box, a quick instruction guide, and an online instructional
video running 31 minutes. I feel that for the price I would walk away with some refills, more
(creative) routines, and some cool interesting applications for this. I have heard mention of
another Altoid DVD being brought up that is similar. I feel that those DVDs do well in conjunction.
You can do many of the same moves from the other DVD with Mint Box that could make the tricks more
impactful and impromptu.
Overall I rate this an 8/10. Mint Box is an amazing gimmick that
is simple and workable, however, it can be damaged and you are out of luck at this time and you are
left with only one/two routines to do with this (if you do not count the Instagram video trick).
10 of 11 magicians found this helpful.
I got this in the mail today. After playing around with it for about 5 hours I have started
creating my own routine where a card turns to mints then ends up in the tin where it visually turns
back into mints and the actual card is whereever I choose to have it appear.
I doubt I'll show
anyone but its fun to play with.
The device itself seems like it will last if handled well.
The impossible Card location routine is as shown. this device delivers and works extremely well.
The only downside is refills. If there was available cheap refills for ppl who purchased or if
danny showed how to build it this would be a 5 star reveiw and well worth more than asking price.
while not needing often if used heavily you may need a new one every year or so.
Altho the
steep price may be because many ppl will try and make them as its a pretty simple concept.
Money
well spent and a wonderful utility.
Thank you Danny!!!!
4 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
OK instead of a 4...id give this more like a 4.5......
The gimmick is great...packaging and
teaching great....it IS sensitive and could get damaged pretty easy if not careful. He could have
made the part that could get damaged using a stronger material tho so thats my main point deduction.
There are a few moves that need coordinating in the routine so along with the sensitive gimmick you
will have to practice quite a bit not only to get smooth but smooth and NOT damage anything. Done
correctly this is pretty cool. Recommend!!
3 of 5 magicians found this helpful.
$60 for another card to somewhere with a gimmick that could go haywire. Well, this is just not
another card to box etc. Listen and watch the video and the gimmick could last a long, long time.
It's not just a card to somewhere, but you can do it the second time with signature on the card. If
you are a serious magician you NEED this effect. Cannot say enough good about this effect.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
This is a solid utility device. It is something so skillfully crafted that if used properly, should
fade into the background, even flow out of the spectator's memory,
if they try to reconstruct
what they saw (big box, little box, mint box, pill tin). It can be handled as long as the audience
can be managed (i.e., not by your 2nd cousin Fred's toddler who sticks things in his nose) but no
one will be interested in it. But it is a utility, not an indestructible self-working Tenyo miracle.
Don't buy it, break it and downgrade it because you don't want to put in the mental and muscle (and
character acting) practice. Don't buy this for your 8 year old grandson. The vid is excellent,
comprehensive but does not spoon feed you moves. You must watch and listen and adapt move for your
own center of gravity (sometime's Daniel's is behind him I think). Fragile? No more than a Fantasio
product. Highly recommended for the pro, semi-pro and hobbyist with benefits (you know who you are).
3 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
THis magical masterpiece will fool you as you set it up and go through the routines.A true
revelation in design simplicity!
1 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
It works ok , but the price is too high, he didn’t included a spare gimmicks for repairing , and he
didn’t explained how to repair the gimmiked box if needed , i'm disapointed , it could be better if
he would included some repairing gimmicks for the money that i have paid .
I picked this up from my local magic shop in Seattle Pike Place Market. This effect is all around
well made and I truly enjoying performing this effect. I work at the restaurant as table hopping and
I usually use Destination Box by Jon Allen which I absolutely love using. But the problem with
Destination box is the size of it and you have to carry it around in hand. Mintbox is much much
smaller than Destination Box, Paragon 3D by Jon Allen, The Box by Mark Southworth, and great for
pocket management, and Mintbox is something that recognize by everyone.
The only things I
have problem with this is, 40-50 is a reasonable price for Mintbox. Not 60. And second is, if you're
going to charge 60, at least have some replacement or instruction how to build a new one. If
something happened to my Mintbox, which is delicate, I WANT to know how to replace it at low cost.
Not paying another 60 bucks each time.
A very simple and elegant solution to a problem I have with one of my favorite effects. I LOVE THIS.
The gimmick is so simple but so ingenious! Before I buy this trick I was trying to figure out how it
works but I couldn't.
The video explanation is top quality. I love how audience's reaction
also.
Great job Danny! I brought his lecture also, highly recommended. He is so so funny!
Take 1 star off for the high price. I wish it could be a bit less expensive.