Part of #TMNTweek 2016 on THE ROCK FATHER Magazine! Check out TheRockFather.com/TMNT for more.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the original Peel-and-Stick Colorforms (though I really wish the Rub n’ Play would make a comeback), so it’s cool to see Colorforms into their second year of new ownership, increasing their availability and rockin’ with some new licenses. With TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS bringing the TMNT crew back into cinemas, it’s only fitting that we take a look at what Colorforms is doing with TMNT – specifically, sets based on the smash-hit Nickelodeon series. With numerous sets available, we’re focusing on the biggest one… the Big Wall Playset.
While most kids and parents are likely used to the smaller Colorforms sets, Big Wall Playsets contain a large vinyl mat (the scene) that attaches to a wall or other flat surface using peel-and-stick squares that are said to be “damage free” when it comes to your walls (I’m always very cautious). For the TMNT set, we have a dojo setting the stage for a battle between Shredder, Kraang, a Foot Soldier and our Turtle heroes – each presented as one of nine oversized Colorforms characters that kids can peel, stick, and place to create their own action, over and over and over again.
As with most Colorforms, I love the simplicity of the play, but my one criticism of this one comes down to how it’s packaged. The background scene really should be rolled, and I know this is probably something that comes down to shelf space at retail, but by folding the scene, there’s creases that make it hard to lay flat. They’ve tried to alleviate this by placing cross-shaped cuts at the intersection of each crease, but that really doesn’t help. Going forward, I’d really like to see this matter addressed for future Big Wall sets.
See the full assortment of Colorforms goodness on their official site and Facebook. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS is in theaters on June 3, 2016.
