Great review, thanks. I feel the same about the longevity of it. I like the cool features, the ghosts, the face, and the spinning hypnotic effect. I'd disconnect the rabbit and paint it into zombie rabbit, and maybe ditch the birds. But I also hope they incorporate the ghosts into another better-planned building...like something graveyard related.
The plastic reminds me of Harry's Toy Factory. I would repaint and age this one like i did the Toy Factory. Id also figure out how to disconnect the rabbit somehow. Then it would be perfect! Hope they do more illusions in the future 🙏
Halloween Villages, This piece was the one I was most looking forward to this year, but as you pointed out, the plastic-y construction leaves a bit of a cheap look and feel to it. And I guess I wouldn't be so harsh if this thing didn't retail for 200 DOLLARS! Michaels is out of their EVER LOVING MINDS! This piece should have never been more than $80. I see so many who are reviewing this piece skipping an explanation for one particular illusion, the levitating woman. I get why, but I think it's worth mentioning. When I got the Smoke and Mirrors Magic Shop and saw how it was done, I burst out laughing and thought, "Wow, Lemax actually went there." I never thought they'd do an adult theme like that, but I appreciate it as I do like a dirty joke now and then. Of course, the woman isn't actually levitating and is in fact being held up by... Uh... The magician's... Uh..... Man-Parts. I couldn't tell this from the pictures and videos online, but when I got the piece home and got to take a closer look... Wow! And this is why the soundtrack, though I don't play it much because it's one of the annoying ones, is so important. When the woman realizes how the Magician is pulling off the levitation effect, she starts overly freaking out and it's just PRICELESS! Like you pointed out, the "Ghost Pepper" effect in the middle is the star of the show. Seeing those ghostly figures appear and disappear is the reason I'm SO HAPPY I own this piece. And yes, I did get a Michaels discount (though it was SO MEASLY compared to years prior). Thanks for another great review! vgv
