This is a good instruction video for anyone who has never thrown a yo-yo. I got the impression that the video is geared towards adults who want to teach kids how to yo-yo, but anyone can learn from it. The video begins with Ben mentioning his belief that the skill of yo-yo playing was lost in the 1960's when it became too expensive for yo-yo companies to support the travelling yo-yo man. He also gives a big pop for transaxle yo-yos as they were relatively new to the scene at the time. Ben then does some tricks like barrel rolls and two-handed loops. He then goes over the basics of taking a yo-yo apart and includes a plug for his yo-yos. (Ben offers a kit which includes a yo-yo(s) and the video). After this Ben explains the string basics of changing, double looping, length, tying the knot, and winding. He also gives tips about yo-yo safety as well as lubing the yo. The tricks are performed with the assistance of a supporting cast (see list below). Some of the tricks incorporate humorous skits as an introduction. Each trick is explained in detail and then repeated in slow motion. The video ends with Ben doing a few more tricks like brain twister and some two-handed stuff. There is also a clip of him playing tennis, although I'm not really sure why. My only complaint about this video is the number of tricks included. Only the following eight were demonstrated and explained: sleeper, walk the dog, rock the baby, forward pass, around the world, loop the loop, skin the cat, and man on the flying trapeze. I thought it could have included a few more. 12 or 15 Classic Yo-Yo Tricks would have been a better title. Supporting Cast: Rob Randall, Mae Serkin, Don Harrison, Curtis Harrison, Angela Ambrose, Cullen Ambrose, Katie Ambrose, Dempsey the Dog, Marni the Cat |
