The State of the Toy Business.

[5FDP]

It still amazes me that they have a toy line for what is in essence an adult / mature rated film I know that Spike said that word 'shit' in TF:TM, but that's not even in the same ballpark as 'how do you say get the f@#k out of the way in Chinese'. I wouldn't take my 10 year old to see it (for the record, my kids are younger anyway) and therefore wouldn't expect him / her to want any of the toys. IMO, it's the parents pushing the toys on their kids, but after 4 movies over 7 years, it's the parents who have gotten over it. If the movies were aimed at a younger age bracket, then it would allow the franchise to grow with them bringing in new young fans every time a movie is released. Personally, I wouldn't mind a PG Transformers movie because in reality, TF:TM is still the best, even without the added swearing, ass shots, dirty jokes etc.

[ComicGuy89]

It still amazes me that they have a toy line for what is in essence an adult / mature rated film I know that Spike said that word 'shit' in TF:TM, but that's not even in the same ballpark as 'how do you say get the f@#k out of the way in Chinese'. I wouldn't take my 10 year old to see it (for the record, my kids are younger anyway) and therefore wouldn't expect him / her to want any of the toys. IMO, it's the parents pushing the toys on their kids, but after 4 movies over 7 years, it's the parents who have gotten over it. If the movies were aimed at a younger age bracket, then it would allow the franchise to grow with them bringing in new young fans every time a movie is released. Personally, I wouldn't mind a PG Transformers movie because in reality, TF:TM is still the best, even without the added swearing, ass shots, dirty jokes etc.

I have to agree with this. A TF movie that is more kid-friendly will be right up my alley. It doesn't even have to be childish, just less edgy.

[Jinto]

I agree wholeheartedly.

To be frank though, the quality of figure being put out for this movie is kind of appaling. Who in their right mind would pay $80-100 for that leader class Prime? Too many of the items look cheap and junky.

And part of the blame has to come from their release strategy. You see it with every movie - Begin the release a few good figures and a lot of 'chaff' that they know people won't be as excited for in the long run. They hope that by the time you've seen the movie and know which figures are cool/desireable you've already bought the less popular ones and will fork out for the stars of the show. The trouble is, this time far fewer people took the bait and it's hurting their bottom line. It also hurts us because the few figures that people are waiting for (Stinger, for example) are in danger of cancellation.

For the record I enjoyed TF4.

[drifand]

Masterpieces are gone, so they should have known the trick and release movie masterpiece and sucker all of us easily with $150 each, unfortunately they didn't. oh well.

[Gouki]

It still amazes me that they have a toy line for what is in essence an adult / mature rated film I know that Spike said that word 'shit' in TF:TM, but that's not even in the same ballpark as 'how do you say get the f@#k out of the way in Chinese'. I wouldn't take my 10 year old to see it (for the record, my kids are younger anyway) and therefore wouldn't expect him / her to want any of the toys. IMO, it's the parents pushing the toys on their kids, but after 4 movies over 7 years, it's the parents who have gotten over it. If the movies were aimed at a younger age bracket, then it would allow the franchise to grow with them bringing in new young fans every time a movie is released. Personally, I wouldn't mind a PG Transformers movie because in reality, TF:TM is still the best, even without the added swearing, ass shots, dirty jokes etc.

As opposed to say the Alien, Predator and Terminator franchises? Rambo? Various horror movies? Movies have always had toy lines somewhat inappropriately, and I'd say those movies are far worse than any of the TF ones.

[nexusnixx]

Never fancied movie related tfs at all. Lots of hype about it but soon enough it's just nose dives.

I think the really popular movie tied in toys will be the minions.

[5FDP]

As opposed to say the Alien, Predator and Terminator franchises? Rambo? Various horror movies? Movies have always had toy lines somewhat inappropriately, and I'd say those movies are far worse than any of the TF ones.

IMO the big difference here is that Transformers started out as a toy line aimed at children. The movies followed.

[reillyd]

Yeah, I'm not sure that the article is right on their numbers there, that 500 mil retail price was produced but only 250 will be sold.... And Griffin is spot on about the Wave 2 stock. I wouldn't think that Hasbro would make available sales data, and the articles source may be wrong.

[DELTAprime]

As far as the toy market as whole part goes. Is it down because the global economy is? Or is down because more toy companies are making cheaper products at high prices like Hasbro is with hollow Transformers and 5 POA Star Wars figures?

[Sky Shadow]

I was at Toys 'R' Us today, and thinking how outdated Hasbro's model is in terms of case assortments. Toys that are going to be shelfwarmers are now doubly so, because toys that people actually want will be a.) bought first by people who want them, and b.) bought by scalpers to sell online. At Woolworths, if they run out of oranges, they can order more oranges. They don't have to buy the oranges in an assortment that contains one orange, two apples, three lemons and a mandarin.