Mini Cauldrons 6 Pack
This is going to be a short review today, because we'll be looking at something pretty straightforward. My wife recently stopped by a Toys R' Us and picked up some clearanced Halloween merchandise, a six pack of small cauldrons that were half off.
Similar to the Lemax merchandise we've been looking at recently, these are accessories. Well, sort of. I think these were intended as a sort of 'gift bag', which could hold candy or perhaps small toys. I can't imagine it working very well for that sort of thing, though: you wouldn't fit much in.
According to a very small label on the back, these were produced by "Noteworthy". Your guess is as good as mine.
Appearance: 6
I'm going to review these the same way I would any other toy. This is, of course, entirely unfair as these were never intended for collectors. But then I've little interest in fair play.
These look pretty nice, though they could certainly be nicer. I like the "textured" look, and the detailing - while certainly simplistic - is adequate. Some paint would have been a nice touch, though, and I wish the molding lines were less pronounced. In addition, the inside is far less impressive than the outside.
The "side rings" are a nice addition, though I wish you got some articulation out of them - more on that later.
I'm going with a score of 6 here, though it's a little difficult to assign a grade to a design this simple.
Packaging and Extras: ----
The packaging is a see-through plastic wrapper. You get nothing extra... well... other than all the extra cauldrons, of course.
Play and Display: +1
The handle moves; the little rings don't. Beyond that, it's useful as a display. What sort of display? Well, there are plenty of options open to you. If you have a witch, why not give her a cauldron. It doubles, of course, as more conventional pot, so you can use it with almost any kitchen set. Get creative, and there are plenty of possibilities.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 7 out of 10
Had we not gotten these for half their original price, we'd have been charged a whopping three dollars for six cauldrons. Fortunately, we were saved from having to pay the ungodly sum of fifty cents apiece, and got the whole set for $1.50.
That's a pretty good deal.
Of course, these aren't amazing accessories: they're mediocre, in fact. But in the right context, they're pretty cool. Obviously, they're worth what my wife paid, and even what she didn't.
Not that I know what to do with all of these. One or two, I can find spots for. But six? I'm betting I'll wind up giving some away to friends.
When the score's tabulated, they get 7 out of 10. Not too shabby for a buck fifty.
These really weren't even intended as toys - and certainly not as anything that could ever be called a "collectible." But that's why you can pick them up so cheap. Keep your eyes open right after holidays, and you never know what you might find.
If you liked the review, head on over to my blog and let me know.
