The play's the thing

Jun 13, 2008 (Boston Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- FMLE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- It's the seasonal equation that empties wallets, wears on parents and turns kids into whiny, overeager consumers: Summer plus movie blockbusters equals toys. Lots of them. And this year, thanks to the glut of action heroes hitting the big screen, your economic stimulus check could easily be blown at Toys "R" Us.

"This year has huge numbers in terms of merchandise," said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Toys and Family Entertainment magazine. "If you look back at last year, 'Shrek' didn't work very well, 'Spider-Man' didn't meet expectations and the only thing that took off was 'Transformers.' This year, expectations were lower and now things are blowing out of the stores."

Between "Iron Man," "Indiana Jones" and "The Incredible Hulk," there are hundreds of games, action figures and play sets. The little ones will like anything to do with "Kung Fu Panda" and "Wall.E," both out this month. That's not even counting the animated "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" due Aug. 15 or "Dark Knight," hitting theaters July 18.

"No one wants to comment on this, but the Heath Ledger Joker action figure is sold out already," Silver said.

Macabre interest might spark sales, but a stinker at the theater can, too. Just because a movie tanks, it doesn't mean your tyke won't want a piece of the merchandise pie.

" 'Speed Racer' didn't do well, but the movie naturally translated into toys," Silver said. "They are cool racing sets and the Mach 6 is a very cool racing car. If it's a good toy, it doesn't matter how well the movie does."

Here are some of the must-haves, must-avoids and what-were-they-thinkings of the summer-toy season:

BEST TOY FOR THE OFFICE: Possibly the best toy ever. Slip on the oversized Hulk Smash Hands, smash them together and viola! Ten different Hulk phrases, grunts and roars come at you. Imagine these bad boys at the Monday morning meeting. Hasbro, $16.99, amazon.com

HIDE-YOUR-STEAK-KNIVES-FROM-NOW-ON TOY: Lego's Indiana Jones Jungle Duel, made by Lego is a bestseller. But this is Indiana Jones, folks, so if you want your 4-year-old to be well versed on whips and knives, this is the toy to get. Not for the faint of heart, Jones and Mutt face off against the sword-wielding Irina Spalko, the leader of the Russians. The bonus? Irina's sword cuts right through the table. $9.99, amazon.com

MOST POLITICALLY INCORRECT ACTION FIGURE: After defeating a pack of local thugs, Indy encounters his most sword-savvy foe yet: the Cairo Swordsman. Despite his razor-sharp skills, he is easily dispatched and only briefly delays Indy's frantic search for Marion -- reads the Hasbro description of this action figure. Uh, easily dispatched? He was shot. Point blank. By Indy. Not to mention the whole Arab-as-bad-guy issue. Sheesh. Hasbro, $19.99, hasbro.com

GOOD CLEAN FUN TOY: Anything Speed Racer. No guns, knives, karate chops or green monster going on a smashing spree. Just a boy, a car and a dream. We like Mattel's Speed Racer Steering Wheel ($14.99) and Speed Racer Helmet ($22.99), both with cool racing sounds and crash sounds, mattel.com.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? TOY: Mattel's Dark Knight Joker with Crime Scene Evidence. The untimely death of actor Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker in the movie "The Dark Knight," coupled with the fact that the site of his accidental overdose was a crime scene equals a whole lot of awkward. $64.95, amazon.com

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