Action Figures Blog

Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends Batcave Review

2010-08-08T04:06:00.001-07:00

My two sons (3 and 6) absolutly love love love this toy! They play with it constantly and have many of the accesories, making this an even more fun set. My older son has a physical disability and I love that he can operate all of the moving parts and really enjoy this toy just like anyone other child. His therapist has also recomended it as a way of working his fine motor skills while at home. Great toy, great fun, I love Imaginext!!
My twins received this for Christmas (they are 3.5) and it is still a favorite 7 months later! I have done 2 spotlights on it on my blog Reviewed By Mom because we love it so much. You can check it out here.

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This is a fabulous gift for the little super hero in your life! I would suggest buying some of the accessories pieces to go along with the set as well.
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Learning Curve Dinosaur Train - Collectible Dinosaur Train with Lights and Sounds Review

2010-08-07T21:06:00.001-07:00

Our son (turns 4 on 8/6) has been Dinosaur Train crazy since he started watching since the beginning the show aired. Since then we have tried to find toys, pillows, blankets, and all the other things that go with cartoons these days (tired of Dora and Sponge Bob). Finally, in a last-ditch effort to find that gift that will send him over-the-top, we searched and found out that they were releasing Dinosaur Train toys on August 1st. So on July 27th we ordered as many as we could and they arrived today, just as Amazon said, which is 2 days before the big party. We ordered the entire set of cars and figures, the train a 3-piece sets. Simply amazing in the details, the durability and just fantastic. We hope our son is as excited when he opens the box, as we have been when we ordered and received them today. Thank you sooo much for finally coming out with the Dinosaur Train toys. Now we are planning to get the remaing things, such as the plush toys, train track and interactive figures over the course of the holiday season.
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Transformers Deluxe Movie Collection 2 - Cybertronian Optimus Prime Review

2010-08-07T14:06:00.001-07:00

A great Optimus Prime fig. considering it's one of the few prime "deluxe" figures out there. The detail replication from the video game is well done. The transformation is tricky but not too bad once you get the hang of it.
While by no means the largest Optimus Prime figure available, and not the best, Cybertronian Prime is definitely one of the nicer incarnations we've received in the past couple of years. At the Deluxe price point, he's as screen-accurate to the Transformers: War for Cybertron video game as possible. But it's not just about that, as his own merits as both a Transformer and a darn good action figure will be apparent once you pick him up. This Optimus is very articulated, has a challenging transformation without being impossible, is very sturdy, and even comes with a signature, transforming weapon. The only thing Cybertronian Prime is possibly missing is his enormous energon axe as seen in the videogame, and his hover mode from the game, but these are very minor omissions. Whether for a child who needs a Prime to lead his Autobots, a game geek who enjoys WFC, or the Transformer collector, Cybertronian Optimus Prime is worth rolling out to purchase.
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Learning Curve Dinosaur Train - Collectible Tiny with Train Car Review

2010-08-07T07:06:00.001-07:00

Based on the new Henson PBS show, the Dinosaur Train
Collect all your favorite Dinosaur Train Characters
Tiny, who loves to make rhymes, is quite clever and very brave
Plastic Tiny figure and decorated train car to match
Ages 3 and above

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Toy Story Bucket of Soldiers Review

2010-08-07T00:06:00.001-07:00

This product came faster than anticipated and in excellent condition! But the best part is our grandsons LOVE it!! These soldiers are of good quality! They are durable and made of a new kind of hard plastic that isn't sharp to the touch but rounded and smooth. They are a brighter green too. The bucket is a wonderful way to keep them all together and in one place.

Our grandson's eyes opened wide and they were very excited to open that bucket! They both sat down and started playing with them. Since they are 5 years and 2 1/2 years old we were quite surprised how the 2 1/2 year old took some and played with them too! I recommend them!!
My son like numerous other children loves the Toy Story movies. He loves these little guys they are exactly like the movie, except they don't come to life. However, you will come to life when you step on one of these at 5:00 AM in the morning!!
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Transformers Leader Optimus Prime Review

2010-08-06T17:06:00.001-07:00

I was never much of a Transformers fan before the first 2007 movie. When I was a kid, I thought the toys were cool but I never owned any. I've bought most of the Leader Class Transformers from both movies and while I very much like the design of all of them (with the exception of Megatron) this version of Optimus is by far the most complex and awesome toy of the bunch. Other reviewers have stated that this is definitely not a toy for 5 year olds. They are correct. I would say the youngest child to actually figure this thing out would have to be around 12 or so. It's just way to complex for most people in general much less little children.

It's best to approach this toy (pretty much all of the Leader Class versions) as if it were an expensive puzzle that you didn't want to break. If you are the impatient type, don't bother. If you have clumsy sausage fingers don't bother either! Considering how complex this toy is, I think it's fair to say that it is very durable. You just have to use some care and think about what's going to happen before you go ripping his arm off. Slow, deliberate movements are what's needed the first few times you change him from robot to truck and then back again. As one person had stated in a previous review, once you have successfully transformed him a few times, it's waaaaay easier to do it again. The same can be said for the other leader class models as well. (Brawl and Ultimate Bumblebee are particularly difficult.) I have deliberately taken several hours to transform all off the transformers I own to avoid breaking them. It paid off. With this version of Optimus (I actually have the "Buster" version. It's the same toy, with the exception of having lots of nice shiny chrome and the added bonus of gigantic cannon that he holds in his right hand.) I spent probably 5 hours transforming him from robot to truck on the first go around. After that, I could do it in less than ten minutes.

Other reviewers have complained about the instructions. They're right when they say they pretty much suck, but they do help. This is a toy that will make you think. I'll be the first to admit that after an hour or so of staring at a series of black & white drawings you may start to think you're never going to get it transformed, but don't give up. Once you've figured it out, you will be quite pleased with yourself! You may also gain an entirely new appreciation of the engineering of this toy. It's truly a work of art. My hat goes off to all the people responsible for creating the most movie realistic version of the mighty Optimus ever made.

The most difficult part of the process for me was transforming his chest area to the truck mode. You actually have to pull each side of his chest out of the slots that they ride in. Once I had figured out what I actually had to do I was terrified that I was going to break it, but I didn't.

Another complaint I've read is the positioning of his extendable swords in robot mode interfering with his movement and posing of his arms. At first it seemed impossible for me to arrange him so that he could still move his arms around when the swords were in their closed position. However, it wasn't. Just be patient, and there actually is a "sweet spot" for both arms to have almost total articulation whether the swords are closed or open. Overall, this character is very posable. Most of the images I've seen of this character don't come close to how cool you can make his stance. Standing bolt upright looks completely dumb!

I wouldn't recommend this toy for daily use either. Its best market is probably for collectors, only to be transformed once in awhile and displayed on a shelf to admire its beauty, accuracy and complexity. I love the commercials that Hasbro had running for these toys. They are completely misleading on how long it takes to change them around. Also, you wouldn't want to be playing with any of these toys in a dirt pile after you dropped almost $50 on it!

Bottom line, it's a great toy for the price but don't give it your 5 year old. If you do purchase it, remember to take your time and just enjoy yourself. It really is a puzzle to be figured out.
Transformers is a well established multigenerational franchise. It appeals to fans and collectors way back from the original 80s merchandise to the modern and contemporary concepts introduced with the latest Michael Bay's movies. This means customers targeting goes from toys designed for small children, all the way up to thirty somethings adult collectors. This Optimus Prime is intended for the last.

To be honest, the design of it is not as complex as some reviewers had tried to point out. Their problem may reside in if they purchased this product for the right targeted age. True, there is also another version of this product labeled on its packaging as suitable for 5 & up years old. But this, obviously, is intended for parents that wants to encourage their children with challenging toys that require a higher degree of care and patience. The fun factor of this kind of product comes not from the time spent playing with it as a toy or action figure, but instead from the time and challenge it requires to transform it from one mode to the other and back. So, as some reviewer compared it to a rubick cube, the fun of it is in the challenge and the satisfaction of acomplishment you get when succedding at the end.

For its complexity and attention to detail, to this day, this might be the more accurate and detailed version of movie Optimus Prime. Very well assembled. High quality materials.

Also, this Buster Prime version has chrome painting and details not found on the regular version, such as a gas tanks that combine to transform in to a gun.

Very recommended for any collector and to any parent that wants to encourage their children to new degrees of patience and challenge.
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Learning Curve Dinosaur Train - Buddy with Train Car Review

2010-08-06T10:06:00.001-07:00

Based on the new Henson PBS show, the Dinosaur Train
Collect all your favorite Dinosaur Train Characters
Buddy, a curious, funny, and intelligent T-Rex is the star of the show
Plastic Buddy figure and decorated train car to match
Ages 3 and above

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Transformers Movie 2 Leader Assortment Review

2010-08-06T03:06:00.001-07:00

Prepare for battle with this AUTOBOT warrior by your side
In robot mode, this mighty ally features electronic speech and light-up eyes and chest
In SR-71 Blackbird jet mode, get in gear with combat and cool conversion sounds that let you know this hero means business
MECH ALIVE gearing reveals moving armor panels and internal gears that let you recreate some of your favorite movie scenes or create your own
This good guy is ready to take on DECEPTICON forces once and for all

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Iron Man Electronic Repulsor Blaster Review

2010-08-05T20:06:00.003-07:00

My 4-year old loves everything Iron Man and this was a nice addition to his collection. The toy is not complicated for him to use and enjoy. Although the glove is way too big for his hand, he still enjoys the toy a great deal. I would recommend this toy for any child that is an Iron Man fan.
I gave this to my 6yr old nephew for his birthday and he loved it.

He plays with it all the time along with the other Iron Man 2 things we bought.
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Toy Story 12" Talking Buzz Lightyear Review

2010-08-05T20:06:00.001-07:00

My son is almost 5 years old and just loves this toy, he plays with it constantly, he's had it for almost a year. Some reviewers are right that the toy is too heavy to stand up, but that doesn't bother my son, he props him up, or just carries or flies him around. What surprises me is how durable it is, Buzz has been dropped countless times, the wings fall off but are easy to put back together, the same with the helmet. And this weekend one of the arm pieces fell off, I thought for sure it was broken, but it too easily popped back into place! I have to say this toy was well designed. Other than some scrathes and stickers falling off, it's in great shape, thanks for a great toy, I would definitely recommend it!
We got this for my 6 year old son for his birthday, he loves it! The interactive features are great.
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