Customer Reviews

Big Machines:Road Construction [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The producer(s) of this video managed to keep the narrator where s(he) belongs: BEHIND the camera. For a vivid example of the horrors caused by failing to do so, see another work in this genre--"There Goes A Bulldozer." (TGAB) However, the scenes in Big Machines, as in TGAB, are too short and the changes in camera angles too numerous. A few scoops of dirt, combined with closeups, distance shots, and much camera panning, all in less than a minute, and we're off to another machine. Children enjoy repetition. They don't mind watching the same backhoe fill its bucket 20 or 30 times in a row.

Lately my two year old has developed a big interest in "tractors", which encompasses (to him) tractors and construction equipment. "Big Machines" shows many types of construction machines and narration that isn't ridiculous.It's informative and clear. This, and others in the Sandbox Video collection (plus Fred Levine's great stuff) is an exceptional video. 'Keeps my son interested for hours and teaches him how to recognize equipment. 'Great theme song by Chris Cornish that we sing too. 'Highly-recommended.

This tape, like all the others in the Sandbox Video series was an instant success with our son. He constantly would pick this and the other videos out to watch on a daily basis. It kept his interest for the full 30 minutes and he loves the opening song and lead-in. The only negative with the tapes are the quality. Even with the first use you'll see a lot of white static and the tracking is hard to control. Otherwise it's a good entertainment tape. Hope that helps you!

I bought this video for my 11 month old son because he loves anything that makes lots of noise like trucks, trains, tools, and the vacuum cleaner. He did not find this video interesting because they don't let you hear the machines - they play music while they show the equipment. This may be a plus for an adult, whose ears get tired of all the noise, but to a kid, I think it's like watching fireworks on TV without the sound instead of being there in person. It's just not as much fun. Maybe he's just still too little to appreciate this video.