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TDmonthly Magazine Product Reviews for MATTEL INC.
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Below are some of the products from MATTEL INC. TDmonthly has reviewed.
 Name: Batman Begins ActionCape Batman
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 4 and up
Price: $25.99
Category: Action Figures
What is it?
Batman Begins ActionCape Batman is a 14” highly articulated action figure with an expandable fabric cape. The cape can be contracted to be less conspicuous or – with a touch of a button – expands to give batman a fighting display. The cape can also be tilted up with its supportive armature, to give the appearance of downward flight. Batman comes fully masked, leaving Bruce Wayne in permanent hiding. His head and waist swivel 360 degrees. He has articulated shoulders, upper arms, elbows and wrists, as well as articulated hipbones, upper thighs, knees and ankles. Dressed entirely in black, his waist is accented with a gold-colored utility belt. He comes with a gold-colored Batman boomerang to bring Gotham’s nasties to justice.
What We Thought
The figure is impressive looking and extremely poseable. His joints were stiff at first, but a little physical therapy from our testing staff loosened them up. He can balance on his own two feet, even when standing on a fairly slippery surface. The cape mechanism was trickier. The release mechanism sometimes stuck, releasing only half of the cape at a time. His permanent scowl makes him a formidable figure, especially appealing to kids who want a super hero who can scare off all contenders.
Why They’ll Want It
The super-articulation of the figure makes it really fun to pose. Kids who are into comics will want this figure not only for play, but also as a model for their own drawings. Batman would probably be best displayed out of the box and next to some books on drawing your own comics, or even a comic or book-making kit. The figure could even be used for stop-action movies, since so many kids have digital movie cameras these days. And of course, anyone who’s seen the movie will want the figure just so he or she can relive the best battle scenes and give the villains a good KAPOW!
-- Alison Marek, 6/15/05
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 Name: Polly Pocket Adorable Storable, Too!
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 4 and up
Price: $6.99
Category: Dolls
What is it?
The Adorable Storable, Too! mini case is stackable, portable and modular, and easily fits larger Adorable Storable case for the ultimate storage solution. “Too!” has three compartments for storing Polly’s shoes, dresses, handbags and all things Polly. As a bonus, “Too!” comes with a matching pink hat, purse and pair of shoes for Polly, along with fun little stickers to decorate the container.
What We Thought
The Adorable Storable, Too! is just the right size for a girl with a smaller Polly collection. It’s made of durable plastic in a bright pink color that little girls will love. The container is transparent, so its contents are easily seen.
Why They’ll Want It
The added bonus of three wardrobe pieces alone will entice Polly Pocket fans. The storage compartments are just the right size for the beginning Polly Pocket collector.
--Susan Maddela, 5/3/05
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 Name: Polly Pocket Quik-Clik Boutique
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 4 and up
Price: $13.99
Category: Dolls
What is it?
Polly Pocket is a doll with many fashion possibilities, which can literally change clothes in a snap. The Quik-Clik Boutique includes a magic dressing room feature – just insert the clothes into the dressing room, slide Polly into the dressing room and she spins out dressed in a new outfit. The Quik-Clik Boutique comes with a selection of hip fashions, including skirts, dresses, jackets and shoes for endless fashion combinations. After Polly comes out of the dressing room, choose from a number of hairstyles, such as ponytails or braids, and hair accessories. There is also a cashier area with a tiny register, a clothing rack and a display area. All clothing, accessories and hair attach to Polly by click-on magnets. The Quik-Clik Boutique is also its own carrying case that easily folds together and contains all 26 pieces, so that everything stores inside.
What We Thought
The Quik-Clik Boutique is a fun toy for little girls who like to dress their dolls, which is just about every little girl. The magnets contained inside the clothing and in the doll have a strong grip, which make dressing easy and allows the clothes and accessories to stay on. The small pieces allow for development of fine motor skills and encourage creativity through outfit combinations and color coordination.
Why They’ll Want It
Polly Pocket is a toy with a hip, edgy look that will stand out on the shelf. The Polly Pocket line is available in other play sets including the Cool Careers Gift Set and the Relaxin’ Resort Rock-n-Roller Coaster Hotel. All of the outfits and sets can be interchanged and are specially fitted for Polly Pocket dolls, and kids will want to collect them all.
--Susan Maddela, 5/3/05
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 Name: Bibble
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 3 and up
Price: $14.99
Category: Plush
What is it?
Part of the Barbie Fairytopia line, Bibble is the winged pet of fairy Elina. Bibble joins Elina on her adventures in the Magic Meadow of Fairytopia, where Elina lives with her other friends, Dahlia and Dandelion. A plush toy with turquoise and lavender fur, Bibble makes a whistling, chirping sound when he gets a squeeze. Bibble requires three AA batteries.
What We Thought
The exterior of the toy is soft over a plastic interior. Its durability will last many hours of playtime and cuddling.
Why They’ll Want It
Fairytopia is the latest line of Barbie dolls, and little girls will love the whimsical feel of this new line.
--Susan Maddela, 4/15/05
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 Name: American Idol Barbie - Tori
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 5 and up
Price: $19.99
Category: Dolls
What is it?
Based on the popular TV reality show, American Idol Barbie is one of the latest in the Barbie line, and comes in three different characters – Tori, Simone and Barbie. Tori has cascading red hair with braids and comes with two edgy, trendy outfits, along with matching accessories. All three American Idol girls have “Ever-Flex” bodies, making movement and positioning easy. Also included are three miniature CDs and her very own working karaoke machine. Just press the button and she’ll sing “What I Like About You.” The karaoke machine requires three AAA batteries.
What We Thought
The “Ever-Flex” makeup of the dolls allows for freer movement, more so then the traditional Barbie doll. The colors of her hair and makeup and unique, cool and match the “rocker” image of Tori. The karaoke machine only plays one line of the song, as opposed to the whole song, then fades to silence.
Why They’ll Want It.
With the popular TV show still in full swing, young girls will love this new Barbie line that plays off the show. Retailers will love this doll because it appeals to fans of both Barbie dolls and American Idol.
--Susan Maddela, 4/15/05
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 Name: Elina Doll
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 3 and up
Price: $15.99
Category: Dolls
What is It?
Fairytopia is a new line of Barbie dolls who live in the Magic Meadow of Fairytopia. Elina is a whimsical new doll with brightly-colored, magical wings that light up, a dress made of faux flowers, a pink butterfly necklace and matching shoes. Elina flies through the Magic Meadow with her friends, Dahlia and Dandelion. Elina is about the same size and height as Barbie, and her soft golden hair with faux flowers falls to her waist.
What We Thought
Elina’s moveable joints at the shoulders, neck, waist and knees allow for fun pretend play by any little girl. Her beautiful colorful markings on her arms and hands are done with non-toxic paint that will stay put.
Why They’ll Want It
Mattel comes through once again with a Barbie line that little girls will love and want to collect. Included with Elina are her little Bibble and three replaceable AG13 button cell batteries, making it convenient to give as a gift and easy to operate once the package is opened.
--Susan Maddela, 4/15/05
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 Name: Formula Fuelers
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 6 and up
Price: $19.99
Category: Vehicles - Small Toy
What is It? Formula Fuelers are plastic toy cars that run on whatever there is for kids to drink in the refrigerator. They can also add the included Nitrox2™ liquid, tablets and powders. The goal is for kids to experiment with various combinations of kid-safe household substances in order to find the fastest fuels. Mattel maintains that there is one optimal combination and that it is up to the kids to discover what that is. What We Thought This is one of those toys that’s made for children but gets adults riled up as well. The concept of challenging people to come up with the best liquid concoction invokes a level of curiosity that is simply irresistible. Kids and even adults will find themselves pondering things like-what’s faster, Orange Kool-Aid or root beer and a Nitrox2 tablet? Once fueled and the release button is pushed, the car boasts an impressive engine-rev sound and then screeches away, sometimes remarkably fast. Why They’ll Want It Kids will want to become expert authorities on what the best fuels are---and they’ll want to have car races with their friends to prove the worth of their liquids. Back to top
 Name: Flavas
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 6 and up
Price: $29.99
Category: Dolls
What Is It?
Flavas is Mattel´s latest line of dolls that give girls a fun, hip alternative to your typical blonde, blue-eyed fashion doll. With a little bit of edge and a dash of character, Mattel creates its newest addition to the Flavas family: Bike Date—a set that includes Kiyoni and Tre dolls complete with matching outfits, motorcycle bike and helmets.
What We Thought
This is a great toy that allows girls to play with dolls that they can identify with. Their matching outfits give them some street cred, but mothers may be upset by Kiyoni´s mid-drift shirt.
Why They´ll Want It
This toy gives girls another option in their imaginary storylines that reflects their desires rather than their fantasies. Bike Date appeals to the older group of girls that dream about a fun night on the town rather than princes on white horses.
--Nancy Tan
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 Name: ello Jungala
Company: MATTEL INC.
Age: 5 and up
Price: $34.99
Category: Construction
What Is It?
Ello Jungala is a construction set for girls comprising 306 pieces of different shapes and sizes. Also included are reusable vinyl stickers so girls can customize their creations. All pieces are contained in a neon-pink, zippered carrying case.
What We Thought
Mattel did its homework when creating ello. The organic shapes and bright colors have strong girl appeal, as ello’s brisk sales will attest. Knowing that instructions are the last thing a kid wants to deal with, Mattel wisely omitted them, instead providing a color fold-out showing some of the possibilities: jewelry, CD racks, animals, people, picture frames or whatever a girl’s imagination can conjure.
Why They’ll Want It
Many parents searching for an alternative to fashion dolls for their daughters will be attracted to ello’s ability to build self-confidence and imagination.
--Tim Connolly
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