Movie Magic Extends to RC Toys

It's been the norm for years now that when a movie aimed at kids or featuring superheroes of any kind hits theaters, some kind of toy -- usually several of them -- based on the movie characters hits store shelves. Occasionally those toys include some nifty radio controlled vehicles.

I'm looking forward to acquiring a few Radio Shack ZipZaps based on Disney/Pixar's Cars. It was a cute movie I saw with my kids and for $19.99 I'd sure like to add Mater to my RC collection while this limited edition run lasts. Get 'er done!

ZipZaps are already a popular 1:64 scale micro RC line and dressing them up like cute animated characters shouldn't hurt their appeal. Interestingly, unlike the car from the movie, the ZipZaps version of Lightning McQueen has working headlights. In addition to the 1:64 scale versions of McQueen, Mater, and Sally, you can also get a 1:16 scale Ramone or Lightning McQueen for $29.99.

Another RC toy with a movie connection is Mattel's Radio Controlled Flying Superman. I've got to confess that I'm not a big Superman fan and I'll just wait to rent the DVD of Superman Returns. I haven't tried out the RC Superman but at least one reviewer described the RC Man of Steel as "cheap in overall performance" and unimpressive in flight -- that is, he wouldn't stay in the air. Sounds like me and almost any kind of flying RC.

Other reviewers said that it did fly and "looks very cool in flight" but it takes time and patience. It's likely that kids with short attention spans will be greatly disappointed. While it's a cool idea, I don't think I'll risk $70 on it when I can't even keep a real RC airplane in the air more than a few minutes. This is more of a novelty RC toy for teen and adult Superman fans.
^{(Compare Prices on RC Superman).}

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