By Chris Kavan - 12/02/10 at 01:28 PM CT
Get into the Christmas spirit - which of course to most of America means consumerism at its finest! What better way to prepare for grand unwrapping than to celebrate the ultimate toys in films. Some assembly required.
1) A Red Ryder, Carbine Action, 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle from A Christmas Story - Nothing like getting some serious firepower for Christmas. You may not shoot your eye out, but chances are no squirrel or stray cat will be safe... or those Bumpus hounds either.
2) Jack Brown from The Toy - Nothing like having a father so rich he can purchase you the use of a human being. In the end everyone learns a lesson about friendship and race relations and the world is better for it.
3) The Commando Elite and Gorgonites in Small Soldiers - It's like The Terminator movies on a mini scale. You would think that it would be easy to outsmart little plastic men, but not when they can think just as well on their feet as you can. See also the Nightmares and Dreamscape episode "Battleground" for a much darker take on toys coming to life.
4) A Previously Unknown Species of Creature in Gremlins - Nothing like having a father who brings home strange and incredibly cute creatures. In this case a wide-eyed, furry and utterly adorable Mogwai, named Gizmo. But as is the case with so many pets there are rules to follow, and that's real drag - wetness results in a rash of cute, adorable Mogwai's - well, mostly cute anyway. Too bad there's always a bad apple - and one who isn't afraid to bend the rules and turn into a not-so-cute, incredibly violent Gremlin - ruining Christmas for everyone.
5) A Cupboard and Magical Key of Indian in the Cupboard - In Toy Story the toys only come to life when people aren't around - in Indian in the Cupboard, they come to life whenever you like. The key here is the fact that these "toys" remember an actual life - as if they're souls that have somehow been transferred into little toys. It's pretty heavy for a kids film, but then I think the best ones should be.
So any fond memories of growing up and going "gee I want that too" and letting the begging and pleading begin? You may not remember, but I bet your parents do.
