Alright, the concept behind Evolve is amazing and is definitely usable in the real world. It's visual, almost angle-proof, and easy to clean up. It can also be used in tons of ways. Cards, bills, business cards, etc. In fact, I think doing a color change with a card is the least cool thing you can do with Evolve. There are already tons of card tricks; why not use this great tool for something else?

Now, the bad side about this is the DVD is nearly 100% arts and crafts. There are no routines, live performances, or even performance advice given by Lawrence. For the price, this feels like a major rip-off to me. It seems that the makers think the novelty of the gimmick justifies the high price, but frankly, it doesn't. This should be a $10 product.

Now the gimmick itself is not the easiest to make. You need to be able to split cards well for starters. Also, this product only comes with enough "extra material" (6 pcs) to make one gimmick. Now come on, 6 pieces costs $3 elsewhere online... they couldn't even include extras for one more gimmick?

Its unfortunate that this great concept was put to market in such a bad way. 3 stars for great concept/gimmick and terrible everything else.

For the price you should have at least received one fully made gimmick. Also should have received more secret items to make up additional gimmicks. I made four gimmicks so far by starting over each time and non could produce the quality that was shown on the video. Very very disappointed and feel i got ripped off with the price.
Richard Zechman, Elizabethtown, PA

Should have included a finished gimmick.Way too much arts and crafts skill needed!

The visuals are nice, but how do you get into it ?
The gimmick itself is customizable, but it is the finale of a routine.
He emphasizes the clean up, but not the load.

He doesn't really share how he brings the gimmick into play as part of a routine. He must have had some thoughts on this ... so why not share?

Why do you want to fold a card and have it change color ?
It is like having a nice CGI effect in a movie with no story whatsover.

After getting my package, I was a bit let down. Just seeing what comes in this trick, I realized I over paid - by a lot. That was strike 1.
I pop in the DVD. No routines. Doesn't tell you how to make the bill gimmick. And it has a lot of labor you need to do to then MAKE the gimmick. Strike 2.
Watching the part of the DVD on how to make the gimmick (which was done well), I realized I needed an assortment of tools, material, and cards. Then I had to get the cards ready and it's not easy. In fact it's probably the most frustrating thing I've ever had to do. Strike 3. So I gave up until I have some more time for arts and crafts and patience for this.

I'm a part of a magic forum and the feeling is mutual for 90% of all the magicians who bought this. WAY WAY WAY over priced. To a point where it's shameful. I found the same material for 14 cents!!!! I realize you're paying for the trick/secret of it all, but when you have to include all the materials, tools, cards, build the thing, and the 'gimmicky' part of it costs 14 cents, you can't help but feel ripped off.

I'm a little upset with Nicolas cause he was lazy when putting this out. It seems like a cash grab. And I'm a bit upset with any website that doesn't tell you what's needed. It may not be their fault. Nicolas should have probably gave them the OK to say "oh you'll need this and this and that, and it's going to take a good 20-30 minutes to build it. Yes, I'm not going to build this for you. you are". I paid way too much money for that kind of BS.

I'll put it together soon. Give it a go with a few spectators. And put it away for ever. I would have rather bought $40 worth of normal playing cards than this. NEVER will i buy something from Nicolas Lawrence ever again. And a lot of magicians have lost their trust in him.

2 stars cause the effect looks cool, but not worth it all that crap you have to go through for a 3 second effect.

Get Changeling instead.

I agree with this reviewer.

"Enough of the arts and craft magic BS .
Just sell me the gimmick !!"

I'm always going to ask from now on:

1. Do I have to build a gimmick?
2. How long does it take to build the gimmick?

I appreciate his thinking and creativity and yes, I know I am paying for that. However, comparing it to other magic I buy, this is a let down when it comes to value.

You can wow people with something learned in a $1.00 pamphlet (not sure if they still exist, lol) but that doesn't mean the pamphlet should sell for $100...

It appears we need a new designation on tricks - how much construction do you need and like a cake mix, a list of the tools you'll need to finish the project. Ugh. I would rather pay more and get the gimmick. Way overpriced.

When I finally get around to building it, it might be worth it, but so much of the video is arts and crafts it's really sad.

Enough of the arts and craft magic BS .
Just sell me the gimmick !!

The performance of this is in a word "Perfect" Very little of any slight of hand is needed. As to the cry baby magicians oh I have to build something get out of magic for the sake of the real artist out there. So what if you have to build something to make this work the idea is perfect you don't have to do a color change or one card to another I use it for billet switch myself. I found the dvd very easy to follow and understand, the same for performance. Magic is about you the magician if your waiting for that perfect prop to make it happen your a sad person. Harsh I'm sure but tired of seeing all these wanna be as well. Trick deserves 5 stars across the board, if not your style then say so but negative stars cause you don't want to build something sheesh lame.

I thought that this was more than the concept and that he would teach not just the gimmick construction, but also how to get the gimmick into play.

Alas, this was just a dvd on putting the gimmick together and how the change happens, but no practical advice on anything else.

i recently gave a review on this effect but i forgot to mention a few things. first of all there are no routines on the dvd, you have to come up with your own. he doesn't teach you how to carry the gimmick while you're strolling or how to introduce the gimmick. the way the gimmick is constructed i find it very hard to carry it and introduce it. Also you have to build your own gimmick, and it took me about an hour to build, because everything has to be perfect, and if it's not perfect the gimmick will not work. Also if you want to perform the bill change you have to construct another gimmick and you are going to need additional items that you will have to purchase because the trick comes with only enough items to construct one gimmick. I feel like i got ripped off for the price. I feel that if he's going to charge that kind of money for an effect it should come with a gimmick, and the items you need to construct the other gimmicks. and a few routines. He should give you more than what's on the dvd. Not happy at all.