"Mind Control Remastered" by Bill Abbott
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Mind Control Remastered", the latest offering by Bill Abbott, is a great routine based on a couple of old principles that is one of those things that will either please or disappoint depending on who buys it and for what.

"Mind Control Remastered" is Bill Abbott's take on "Mind Control" where, instead of cards with colored symbols on them, three objects (a set of keys, a credit card, and a watch) are placed in a row in front of the spectator. The spectator makes a free choice of any of the three objects and the performer reveals an "indelible prediction" that reveals their chosen object.

That's the basic routine anyway and, in the right hands, it's a good one. It has to be: it's been around ages.

Abbott took things a wee bit farther, adding methods for doing this with many more objects, stopping at ten on the disc. At this point, you're borrowing objects from the audience (lots of potential for laughs and silliness here) and still manage to "predict" the chosen object. The method Abbott combines with the previous one is, in the right hands, a good one. It has to be: it's been around for ages.

Wait. Did I just repeat myself? Yep, sure did... for a reason.

"Mind Control Remastered" is, at its core, Abbott explaining his use of multiple outs and equivoque. These are the two old principles I mentioned and, yes, they work wonders. Melded together, some incredible effects can be performed. That's also the part that will disappoint some: if you're looking for some whiz-bang way new working for a mental-magic miracle, this ain't it. You're likely to immediately start fussing about how these methods are in tons of old books and manuscripts and the like. And you'd be as right as rain.

But if you're not up on some of the ins and outs of those two methods (particularly the equivoque), then you'll like what Abbott delivers here. The props -- a pen, a key chain, and a printed calling card -- all look great and you'll not shy from carrying them around and the presentational bits Abbott puts forth are some very nice thinking surely, having been put together on the shoulders of giants. "Mind Control Remastered" is, in a way, a good assemblage of thinking that could be retrieved from other sources (and probably should as one gets more experienced with things) that is nothing if not convenient.

It's like learning a sleight from a packet trick instead of from a book, if you follow the logic: it'll get you there and you'll learn something, but there's more to it that what you get. Abbott does a good job there, listing many sources for someone wanting to get into deeper water with these principles and the sources he lists are usually excellent material.

So where do I stand with "Mind Control Remastered"? It's a great effect, that's for sure. If you're new to the principles involved, or haven't given them much though, the conglomeration of principles here probably make "Mind Control Remastered" worth the price. If you've been around the block a few times, then you're far less likely to learn anything new here and you'll have to decide if the props are worth the price since you're probably already sitting on some great ideas for pulling this one off.

All in all, if you're new to things, "Mind Control Remastered' is a nice primer and you'll quickly be getting great reactions with it because it's a fine piece of mental magic and, well, always has been. Otherwise, pass this one by.

"Mind Control Remastered" by Bill Abbott
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
It packs small -- the "special somethings" are all common and small items themselves -- and there's no set-up to worry about. This is really one of those things that you can carry with little hassle. Repeating it is not recommended, though using it as a lead-in or follow-up to other similar effects is certainly possible. All in all, this is quite practical.

Workmanship: 10
The supplied items are very well made and look sharp. They should last you a while.

Documentation: 8
Most of the documentation is on DVD which, unfortunately, has a few problems with the production value. However, Abbott does an admirable job teaching the material, covering almost all the bases of the psychology and workings of his routine.

Effect: 10
This hoary combination of methods always plays big; "Mind Control Remastered" certain does as well.

Presentation: 10
The tricky part of this is making the "Magician's Choice" invisible and Abbott's presentation certainly does that quite well.


Shane