Toyology

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in the late seventies and early eighties toy maker Kenner was creating loads of Star Wars playthings, originals changing hands now for some silly money, so we thank our lucky Firebox for unearthing this pair of commuter contraptions, The Tauntaun as used by the Rebel Alliance and the Landspeeder that took Luke all over Tattoine. Eech one comes in a classic box loaded with imagery, bust yours out of the box or hoard for a few decade – £19.99 each. Alternatively for the hip Hoxton Square or MediaCity massive check out the Old School stuff carrier. better looking than Carrie Fisher in her gold bikini, yours for £24.99 – May the bad perms and roller disco times be with you.

 

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Since back in June (thanks Tesco) we’ve been inundated with top tens (lots of them), fab fifteens (fewer of those), eclectic eights, super sixes etc etc……then yesterday, the one which the media come out in force to see,  is the annual Toy Retailers Associations announcement of their Dream Dozen. It’s an eclectic round up of 12 toys across many categories that the organisation, which represents 75% of Toy retailers in the UK, reckon are going to be the hottest property this Yule, so, laydees and gentlemen without further ado, here they are :

Doggie Doo, John Adams, RRP £22.99
Fijit Friends, Mattel, RRP £54.99
Fireman Sam Pontypandy Rescue Set, Character, RRP £29.99
Kidizoom Twist, Vtech, RRP £49.99
LeapPad Explorer, Leapfrog Toys, RRP £79.99
Lets Rock Elmo, Hasbro, RRP £69.99
Milky the Bunny, Flair, £59.99
Monster High Lagoona’s Hydration Station, Mattel, £39.99
Moshling Tree House, Vivid, RRP £18.99
Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster, Hasbro, RRP £44.99
Ninjago Fire Temple, Lego, RRP £91.99
Star Wars Ultimate Force Tech Lightsaber Assortment, Hasbro, RRP £39.99

This year there were two new award categories,  the Kid’s choice and Mum’s choice awards, tested and voted by the people who really matter, read on for those results :

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Ready to Rumble

 

 

 

 

 

After his seemingly endless stint as Wolverine Hugh Jackman this time plays a normal(ish) chap who happens to build and train high tech robots, for boxing. Action packed Real Steel is set for a UK release on the 14th October. Amongst the merchandise on release is this rather impressive looking set, hard not to draw comparisons of sorts with that most famous of robot battling rings but this one is a bit more gritty that Rock Em. Each Real Steel Battle Champions set includes an Atom and Zeus figure and boxing ring with sound FX, control the robots via he handsets at the side and, lets battle commence as after a few well landed strikes the pop-apart function kicks in and it’s game over. Follow us @toyologist or check back for pricing and availability.

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Hasbro film is a has been

Whilst we’re still at a loss as to how exactly Universal were planning to conjure 90 minutes of plot out of Hasbro’s Ouija board game (some kind of Jumanji type set up we imagine) we find ourselves a little disappointed to here that the film has been scrapped.

With budget reasons being cited for the decision, the big guns at the film place will probably not be best pleased that they’ll still have to pay the toymakers a $5million fee – ouch!

It’s the second Hasbro flavoured movie the studio has backed out of, but before you go thinking they’re all doomed, rest assured that the epic thriller that is based on Battleships is still set for release next year, with Stretch Armstrong the movie earmarked as a possible future flick too (Really!?!)

You sunk my battleship.

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Pushing the outer limits of licencing isn’t easy,with Dalek salt n pepper pots done and TARDIS teapots old hat they’ve been thinking hard, well, turns out exactly the opposite. This range of plush toys though deserve a break, at first glance we were uncertain, but we’re moving to like quite quickly. The TARDIS is a top quality creation, add the working lamp for under-the-duvet illumination together with the classic Vrorp Vrorp sound when you give it a squeeze and it’ll certainly brighten up bedtime, although perhaps not assist in achieving ZZzzzzzz’s. There’s alos a choice of Daleks in different hues (Red Drone and Blue Strategist) these don’t have a light but do offer this pair of iconic threats when given a hug – Exterminate, exterminate!” or “You are an enemy of the Daleks, you must be destroyed” – Sweet dreams. £16.99 at FIREBOX

 

 

Calling Cars2 fans…its comping time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re celebrating the launch of the new Disney/Pixar film Cars 2 and have joined forces with Hasbro and Apollo Cinemas.We’re offering one top prize of this trio of exciting new Cars 2 games plus a family pass for two adults and two kids to watch the film at your local Apollo cinema. The prize includes Cars 2 MONOPOLY, Frustration and Operation. Ditch the dice in MONOPOLY and send lightning McQueen racing around the track, fix McQueen’s busted parts in Operation or enjoy the ultimate spy chase with Mater in Frustration. See the film from 22nd July at Apollo Cinemas book at www.apollocinemas.com – To win, head over to our FB page and answer the question – Comp open till noon on July 14th (UK entries only)

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Speak to almost any boy between the age of three and six and ask them about Thomas the Tank Engine, and be ready for a long one-way chat as they recite their favourite episodes, characters and what they might do if they were in charge of Sodor! A firm favourite amongst younger viewers and their parents too (due to it’s power to cause sedentary behaviour amongst those with endless energy) the toy range has been firmly aimed at younger fans, until now that is. We’ve had a hands on with the all new RC Thomas today, a laser controlled, rapid mover, that “steams” across surfaces at blistering speeds. Grab hold of the lantern type controller and aim the laser downward and watch as clever laser folloing Thomas fololows the beam aound (and makes sounds too) three buttons on the side of the control unit help teach younger kids shapes whilst they play, hours of fun for every family member.

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The penchant for hosting “Xmas in July” events started a while back, it is a great way to allow publications to get a sneak preview of all that’s on offer for the Yule ahead. Everyone wants to be first to get their  lists out however and now July has snuck itself into June, Tesco showed us their top ten toys at the beginning of June, today it’s Hamleys turn. Thankfully this list has been much better thought through and not so yawn inducing and certainly only the merest whiff of “We’d better make sure we shift this lot, lets stick it in a top ten” – In fact, we’d probably concur with over half of it, but can’t admit how much over a half as we’ve decided to make our own list this year. Yes folks, we’re going to put the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons host a live online Xmas in December event, watch this space. For earlybird buyers though, here’s the Hamleys Top Ten for the coming Christasm as revealed earlier today.

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Surreal Smurf Sights

 

It’s international Smurfday this saturday 25th June, named so to celebrate the rating the forthcoming release of the Smurf film and they’ve also decided to break the record or the most Smurfs in one place. There’s fun and games to be had from 1:30pm,  and if you haven’t an outfit they’ll provide you with one for free, so all you have to do is rock up and dress up. Check out the official page HERE and see you there, I’ll be the one in erm blue.

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Sodor heading to big screen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, that’s right, HIT Entertainment and Academy Award nominated director, Shane Acker with Weta Workshop and Mattel’s entertainment properties design team all on-board to create and re-imagine the core characters on Sodor Island to have family appeal. According to the diretor the film will “revolve around a pre-teen boy who has drifted apart from his father. The son is introduced into this world of Sodor, a place his father visited as a child but can’t remember. There is a bonding experience.” – Lets hope it’s better than than the last one with Alec Baldwin and Peter Fonda, Thomas and The Magic Railroad. Any Fat Controller suggestions? Faces for the face of Thomas?

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