Review - Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon - Dragon Riders

At last, Spinmaster has given us a line of How to Train Your Dragon toys which feature vikings able to sit neatly astride their dragons (as opposed to awkwardly standing on their backs). The figures can easily dismount, and their somewhat flexible legs make them compatible with all dragons in the line. Best of all? An affordable Astrid (here's hoping Ruffnut and Tuffnut see a future release).

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the human characters were not as "super-deformed" as I had initially feared. Aside from the oversized hands (which exist to hold the removable weapons), they're actually quite evenly-proportioned. They are articulated at the waist, neck, and shoulders (I've heard of some people having trouble with the figures popping apart at the waist joint, but this has not happened to me personally, even after much fiddling). Unfortunately, they cannot stand alone well.

Hookfang features the most elaborate "saddle", which includes pegs to secure the rider's feet.

The level of detail on the dragons is quite good, rivaling the Power Dragons in spite of the smaller size and lower price tag ($11.99 USD).

Bottom line: A step in the right direction, this line sees a widely available release of Astrid, as well as a bit more attention put on the human characters in general. I found that the riders are also semi-compatible with the larger Power Dragons line, due to the flexibility of their legs. Fantastic and durable as children's toys, but detailed enough to serve as collectibles--a rare combination.

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Review - 2014 Puppy Surprise and Kitty Surprise

Puppy and Kitty Surprise are revivals of the beloved early 90s toy lines of the same names. If the current products follow suit, perhaps we'll even see updated versions of ponies, bunnies, and/or bears rejoining the 'Surprise' menagerie! :)

These toys feature a simplistic but nonetheless charming gimmick: the 'mother''s belly can be opened via Velcro to reveal a 'litter' of smaller plush. The exact number of puppies or kittens you receive is random--ranging from three to five--and variances in gender, patterns, colors, etc. keep the mystery entertaining.

The retro aesthetic was a major selling point for me; there's a certain 'look' to 80s/early 90s toy lines that's seldom found on modern shelves. Very rarely does a current franchise venture into the cute, pastel-rainbow world of yesteryear--and that's a shame. If--like me--you're feeling a bit nostalgic for those days of Popples, Jem, and Fairy Tails, these will fit the bill just fine.

In fact, this latest incarnation of the brand is virtually unchanged from the original--right down to the molded plastic faces! Even the packaging has a 90s feel to it (and also doubles as an adorable "pet carrier" for your toy). The major difference is in the quality of the plush; these newer dolls feature far softer, more 'clumping'-resistant plush than their predecessors.

Compare to the original toys, shown below (photo credit: Hasbro, provided by Pranceatron and Ghost of the Doll):

Bottom line: A charming, quaintly retro plush toy with a twist. Just Play did a wonderful job of recreating these classic toys, capturing nearly every detail of the originals. A worthy purchase for children and collectors alike!

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Review - Cutie Mark Magic Fashion Style Sunset Shimmer

This doll marks Sunset Shimmer's 'Fashion Style' debut. With the new 'Cutie Mark Magic' sub-print, the FS ponies have made the transition to all-plastic clothing, though the ponies themselves remain little-changed from the older waves.

Sunset Shimmer's body is a rich, amber-yellow--the same as her initial brushable release. Her mane comes in a nice, manageable roll, with curls throughout the tail. Her outfit is bright and bold, and oddly reminiscent of a stylized Wonderbolts uniform (at least IMO). As is often the case, Sunset's cutie mark is a central motif, and her sun-shaped earrings are nearly identical to those included with her first Equestria Girls release. Even if you're not a fan of the full outfit, these earrings, along with the necklace and barrette, look lovely as standalone pieces.

Her accessories are: top, skirt, four charms that can attach to the skirt, two earrings, goggles, a necklace, a barrette, and four boots.

The goggles ARE translucent, and her eyes are still visible when they are worn. Here she is in full bling...

...And here she is without:

Bottom line: Sunset Shimmer is a brilliant addition to the existing stable of FS ponies. ;) And with Daisy Dreams still to come, it's wonderful to see that Hasbro is expanding their line-up to include characters outside of the Mane Six and princesses. Whether or not you're a fan of her bold new ensemble, the pony beneath the bling is still well-worth the $16.99 USD.

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