It's Tooltime For Kids!

An odd array of tools, ranging from toys to actual industrial hardware, are demonstrated by 4-year-old "RJ", his mom, and some construction workers. As the show opens, we meet RJ, jumping up and down on a mini-trampoline yelling "I like tools! I like tools!" The camera person apparently also has a mini-trampoline and an RJ level of frenetic energy, because there are more simultaneous tilt/zoom/pan shots in this 21 minute movie than you'll find in the average Kung-Fu film festival. During many of the interview segments, the camera continually zooms in and out at the rate of about twice a second. Kids will certainly enjoy the noisy machinery on parade, and there is a repeated thread of "safety first" messages which will garner parental approval. During the course of the program we meet a remote control earth compactor, a jackhammer, power saws, hand tools, and are treated to a visit inside a MAC tool delivery truck. But, overall this has the look of a high end home-made video--one that could have been much better with a professional camera person. An optional purchase for kids from ages 3 to 8. (E. Swanson)