While its title sounds like a single-trick DVD, Michael Bairefoot not only explains his amazing Coin in the Balloon, he teaches a powerful rope trick, offers key insight into performing the Classic Force, and throws in a torn and restored card and linking cards for good measure. There’s lots to like about Michael Bairefoot’s Coin in the Balloon.
In the DVD’s main segment, Bairefoot tips his powerful Coin in the Balloon. A spectator marks a quarter and after handing it to the magician, finds it inside of a fully inflated balloon. And with the coin in the balloon, Bairefoot then makes the coin spin inside and mysteriously controls its speed. This stunner is not hard to learn and perform. And the other fun part, spectators receive a gift-a balloon with a quarter in it-that they can take home and show their friends.
In the rope section, Bairefoot offers a strong routine with a cut & restore segment, a ring on and off rope and rope through neck and spectator’s fingers. While many magicians will be familiar with the moves and effects, Bairefoot has combined and choreographed them into a solid routine. You can perform the entire set as it’s taught here, but will probably learn and perform individual segments.
“The Bairefoot Force” is actually Bairefoot’s tips on performing the Classic Force. While renaming the Classic Force after oneself may sound a bit presumptuous, Bairefoot offers some excellent tips that will improve your batting average. In fact, Bairefoot has mastered the Classic to such a high level that he can force a card behind his back and when a spectator is covering his eyes. There’s even a challenge section where the spectator knows that a card is being forced on her, and she still can’t help but take the designated card.
Bairefoot’s torn and restored card is another strong effect. It’s not done in the sections (quarters) as in many popular card restorations, but it’s a solid and visual effect. He also offers a good treatment of the Linking Cards. Here, the magician tears holes in three cards and makes them link together at will. At the end, the magician hands out the cards as souvenirs.
In the explanation sections, Bairefoot takes the time to thoroughly explain each move and offers lots of insight behind his approaches. My only gripe is that he doesn’t offer enough options on the DVD menu to separately select a presentation and explanation. For example, if you want to learn Bairefoot’s rope routine, you have to select “Rope Magic” and then fast forward through the presentation to get to the explanation.
Purchasing this DVD to learn Bairefoot’s Ultimate Coin in the Balloon is worth it. And in addition to a strong balloon effect, you’ll also gain some good worker routines with ropes and cards. At the end of one segment, Michael Bairefoot encourages all to “believe the hype.” After watching his DVD, he has made a believer out of me.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
