Toy Fair: A Flood of Animated Toys
At this year's Toy Fair, companies offered more products based on animated properties than South Park's Kenny has lives. Over 40,000 attendees stopped by the Big Apple to get a peak at approximately 5,000 new toys. Here is a rundown of some of the toon-related merchandise coming consumers' way this year.
Features Battle for Attention
Rugrats, the No. 1 kids show on television, has an animated movie scheduled for Thanksgiving release bringing the popular characters to the big screen. Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon have entreated the award-winning Klasky Csupo animation studio to create a whole new story for the little, well, Rugrats. The movie is sure to be a hit with celebrity voices by Whoopie Goldberg, David Spade, Tim Curry and Busta Rhymes, along with a soundtrack packed with musical artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Lisa Loeb, Devo, Iggy Pop and the B-52s.
Quest for Camelot is Warner Bros. first full-length animate feature film, scheduled for release July 1, 1998. It tells the story of a strong-willed teenager, Kayley, who lived in England over 1,000 years ago. Toys from Hasbro to support this film include: the Dream Seeker Kayley, dressed in a tunic and carrying her father's shield (MSRP $15.99), and Kayley's love interest, Brave Knight Garrett (MSRP $15.99) who, dressed in ceremonial garb, is ready to aid his lady in her quest to save Camelot. Plush toys include the talking Devon and Cornwall (MSRP $19.99), the mismatched two-headed dragon that recites some of the films more memorable dialogue. Camelot will be available on shelves in April.
Also in 1998 look for Disney's feature Mulan, the story of a Chinese girl who dons a boy's clothing in order to join the army, saving her elderly father from having to serve. Mulan is expected in theaters this July and in April, Mattel will be releasing a line of toys including the 11-1/2'' Mulan doll attired in Chinese dress (MSRP $10.99) and the Secret Hero Mulan doll (MSRP $15.99), who will come dressed in a village outfit that when removed reveals her military fatigues. A unique Mulan doll will be the Matchmaker Magic. Apply warm water to Mulan's face and it will miraculously transform her into a Chinese princess complete with white face, red lips and a hint of eye shadow. (MSRP $20.99).
Also from Disney will be A Bug's Life scheduled for holiday release. Developed with Pixar Animation Studios (Toy Story) this animated feature follows a misfit young ant named Flik as he tries to save his colony from a gang of grasshoppers. Mattel unveiled a deluxe Flik that comes to life with sound and motion (MSRP $19.99) and the large playset where children can play out the movie's final battle scene (MSRP $31.99). Also in the Bug's Life line are the micro playsets (MSRP $9.99) featuring three scenes from the movie and Micro Figure Packs (MSRP $3.99) with bug-sized figurines. A line of unique learning toy based on A Bug's Life is also coming from Uncle Milton Industries, Inc. Eight new science/nature products are being produced including live insect habitats and adventure toys.
Small Soldiers is DreamWorks' computer-animated film for summer release that features toy soldiers inadvertently implanted with computer chips. These animated toys then stage a battle on their owner's street pitting the Commando Elite against the Gorgonites.
Combining Toy Story with Rambo, Hasbro's Small Soldiers figurine sets (MSRP $9.99) will bring the action from the movie to life. 6 1/2'' figures are loaded with battle features and include all of the key characters from the movie, such as the Gorgonite leader Archer and the Commando Elite head Chip Hazard. The entire line will include 40 new toys in all including vehicles, playsets, micro figures and role play items.
Babe, the award-winning film that combined live-action and animation with farm animals, is scheduled to release its sequel, Babe: Pig in the City for Thanksgiving 1998. The Universal Studios property is enjoying extensive licensing including a line of the rubbery Koosh-haired toys by OddzOn and the Equity Toys interactive Real Live Babe. This pig may not work with the computer, but she does have her own internal body clock and computerized chip. Once she is activated, she knows the time of day and interacts with the child accordingly. Real Live Babe has eight basic play patterns including eating, sleeping, tickling, story telling, smelling and hugging. Real Live Babe comes with the three singing mice that gained certain notoriety in the first film. Real Live Babe (MSRP $40.00) will be on the shelves in fall 1998.
Nickelodeon has planned a multi-category merchandising program for the movie and hot holiday gifts for fans will include toys, games, apparel, gifts and even home furnishings. Mattel will release four movie featured character dolls: `To The Rescue Tommy Pickles,' `Going Bananas Chuckie Finster,' `Roller Skating Angelica Pickles' and `Together Forever Phil and Lil DeVille' (MSRP $19.99). Also from Mattel will be the 15'' Super Singing Tommy that will sing tunes from the movie as well as tell stories. (MSRP $39.99). Look for these dolls, as well as playsets, vehicles and more to release in the fall.
























Post new comment