Despicable 3 villain has been unveiled -- Balthazar Bratt

If you were a star in the 1980's then it was guaranteed there was a lunch box with your picture on it.  Metal lunch boxes for children featuring popular characters from cartoons, movies, and television shows were a sign of the times.  I have fond memories of the tin Empire Strikes Back lunch box that I took to school during my elementary school years.  Illumination Entertainment, the animation film production company behind Despicable Me, Minions, and Secret Life of Pets, recently sent A Geek Daddy one of these retro style lunch boxes featuring Balthazar Bratt to tease the upcoming release of Despicable Me 3 which will be arriving at theaters across the United States next summer on June 30, 2017.

Who is Balthazar Bratt?  He's a former child actor who was an international sensation during the 1980's for his role in the top-rated TV show Evil Bratt (1985 - 1987).  Bratt received numerous accolades from the role including back-to-back Kids' Pick Awards for Heart-Throb-biest Leading Actor and a top spot on the Forbes 12-Under-12 List.  At the height of his popularity though, disaster struck! Balthazar hit puberty in the middle of the show's third season and overnight he was no longer the cute, fresh-faced kid who had charmed TV audiences as his voice cracked while delivering lines and acne began covering his face.  His show was cancelled before the final episode of the season could even air and Balthazar Bratt never resurfaced publicly.

It appears from the hint sent by Illumination Entertainment in the form of the mysterious Evil Bratt lunch box that arrived at my house along with a profile page printed out from the online information source Despikipedia that Balthazar is planning a comeback with a vengeance as Gru's adversary in Despicable Me 3.  What dastardly plans does Balthazar Bratt have in store for the world?  Will the Minions save the day? You'll have to find out by going to see the movie when it comes out!

For more information about Balthazar Bratt, visit www.despikipedia.org/evilbratt/

INJUSTICE 2 Super Hero Video Game Arriving In 2017

For fans of DC Comics super heroes, 2013's INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US from NetherRealm Studios is one of the most action packed and immersive video game experiences to date allowing players to engage in combative competitions featuring these characters.  Similar to the dream sequence shown in the recent Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice movie this fighting game also has Batman battling Superman in a dystopian future  INJUSTICE takes place in an alternate reality from the primary DC Comics fictional universe where the Joker has tricked Superman into killing Lois Lane and their unborn child.  Fueled with grief, Superman becomes a dictator over the world ruling the planet as its High Councillor imposing his will over all of subjected humanity.  Batman doesn't let this go on without a challenge and leads a resistance that also includes Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman.  I've spent a lot of hours having fun playing this game on my PlayStation 4 and its mobile version on my iPad so it was exciting to find out that a new and improved sequel will be arriving in 2017.

Available for Playstation 4 and Xbox One, INJUSTICE 2 will feature a massive roster of Super Heroes and Super Villains allowing players to create the ultimate version of their favorite DC Comics characters personalizing them with unique and powerful gear that can be earned throughout the game.  INJUSTICE 2 will allow gamers to take control of how their characters look, fight, and develop through a variety of game modes.  The game will continue the cinematic story introduced in INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US as Batman and his allies work to putting the pieces of society back together while struggling against those who want to restore Superman's regime.  In the midst of this chaos, a new threat appears that will put Earth's existence at risk.



To get INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US fans excited about the upcoming sequel, players of the mobile app version of the original video game can now unlock INJUSTICE 2 versions of Superman and Aquaman through its in-game Challenge Modes.  The mobile device version of the game is available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.  It does contain in-app purchases but casual games can enjoy the game without spending money as I've personally had a lot of fun playing it without buying any enhancements or power-ups.

For more information, visit injustice.com or follow @injusticegame on Twitter.

SUBWAY Collectible "Finding Dory" 3D Scene-Makers

I have a series of really nice glass cups with each one featuring a different character or scene from either Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi that were original promotional tie-ins to the movies from Burger King that are my most prized Star Wars collectible items.  Over the years, I've picked up a variety of fun and interesting movie tie-in promotional items from fast food restaurants such as BK, KFC, McDonalds, and Taco Bell.  Fans of Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and Walt Disney movies may have noticed these promotions aren't as prominent as they used to be with fast food restaurants when it comes to these films.  That's because Disney's MAGIC OF HEALTHY LIVING INITIATIVE started in 2010 which has a mandate of improving healthier eating options for children ages 6 - 13 and their families.

A major component of this initiative is that Disney won't enter into partnerships with fast food / quick serve restaurants whose menus don't meet the company's nutritional guidelines for providing healthier eating options for kids and their parents.  So that's the reason you haven't seen a Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, or Zootopia kids meal toys or other movie cross-promotional items at many of the fast food restaurant chains lately.  One restaurant that has met the Magic of Healthy Living Initiative criteria though is SUBWAY so if you want to find some fun tie-in items to upcoming Disney movies that is the place to go.

If your family is looking forward to the Finding Dory movie than you'll want to pick up a SUBWAY kids meal.  Finding Dory floats into theaters across the United States on Friday, June 17, 2016 and SUBWAY restaurants, the largest Disney-endorsed quick service restaurant (QSR), is celebrating the arrival of this highly anticipated sequel to the beloved Finding Nemo with six collectable Finding Dory 3D scene-makers.  Shaped like a diving mask, children can shape their own unique scenes featuring characters from the film and then pretend to swim underwater imagining their own Finding Dory adventures.

Children will find one of six collectible Finding Dory 3D scene-makers in a SUBWAY Fresh Fit For Kids meal.  In addition to the including the 3D scene-maker, each SUBWAY Fresh Fit for Kids meal includes a handcrafted sandwich customized with veggies and lean meats on freshly-baked bread paired with fresh apple slices and low-fat milk or water to drink.  This new campaign is the latest collaboration of many between Disney and SUBWAY (previous include Star Wars, Zootopia, Inside Out, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Frozen). 

For more information, visit subwaykids.com

The Force Awakens Hasbro's Star Wars Toy Line

A few weeks ago A Geek Daddy received a message from Hasbro asking me to choose a side in the Star Wars saga ... would I select the Light Side or choose the path of the Dark Side?  That was a tough choice but in the end I couldn't resist the lure of the Dark Side with its gleaming white stormtroopers, evil Sith warriors and cool bounty hunters. #ChooseDarkSide I did!

Hasbro followed up my response by sending a mysterious package my way.  Of course my kids and I couldn't wait to open it up! What could be inside?  The box was filled with a preview of Hasbro's new toys based upon the upcoming Star Wars sequel THE FORCE AWAKENS.  Based upon the path, I had chosen Hasbro provided a sample of toys that would help our family crush The Resistance in the name of The First Order!  So let's take a look at the Dark Side of Hasbro's new lineup of Star Wars toys that were included in our #ChooseDarkSide mailing.

Star Wars: The Black Series 6-inch Stormtrooper Action Figure 
These 6-inch scale figures are highly articulated and exceptionally detailed.  Characters from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS that will be available as these action figures include the First Order Stormtrooper, Finn (Jakku outfit), Rey with her droid BB-8 (Jakku outfit), Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, Chewbacca, Poe Dameron, Constable Zuvio and First Order Snowtrooper among others.
(Retail Price: $19.99  /  Recommended Ages 4 & up )

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Stormtrooper Mask
Join the battle for control of the Star Wars galaxy by donning a role-play mask.  Kids can pretend to join The First Order by wearing a Stormtrooper role play mask.
(Retail Price:  $9.99  / Recommended Ages 5 & up )

Star Wars: NERF First Order Stormtrooper Deluxe Blaster
Wow! this NERF shooter was impressive, most impressive!  Pretend battling against The Resistance with this blaster that comes with a 12-dart clip, slam-fire action, removable sight, detachable stock and twelve NERF darts that fire up to 65 feet!
(Retail Price: $39.99 / Recommended Ages 6 & up )

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Kylo Ren Extendable Lightsaber
The power of the dark side is strong with the Kylo Ren Extendable Lightsaber! With the flick of your wrist, you'll be ready to stop The Resistance in its tracks.  This lightsaber is compatible with other components of the Hasbro BLADEBUILDERS system [each sold separately] so kids can create incredible new lightsaber combinations.
(Retail Price:  $12.99  / Recommended Ages 4 & up)

Every kid, and geek daddy, in town is going to want to relive their favorite scenes from the new STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS movie.  Whether you select the Light Side or Dark Side, Hasbro has a variety of toys for fans of all ages to spur on imaginative play and enhance fans' enjoyment of the film.  CLICK HERE for more information about Hasbro's entire lineup of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS toys.

So thanks to Hasbro our family is stocked up and prepared to be the scourge of the galaxy, well at least of our neighborhood, as we have some fun with the Dark Side of the Star Wars universe.  May the Force be with you!

Dorothy Returns to Oz in New Animated Movie

 Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return

Available on Bluray, DVD, Digital Download on August 26, 2014

 
Dorothy is traveling down the yellow brick road again on a brand new adventure in the Land of Oz. In this new animated feature length film, Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return, Dorothy & her little dog Toto are swept back from Kansas to rescue her friends: the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man from a new evil threat to Oz.  A devious villain named, the Jester, has emerged to rule over Oz and it is up to Dorothy to save the day.

Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return had a theatrical run earlier this year and will be available on Bluray, DVD and Digital Dowload beginning on Tuesday, August 26, 2014.  The cast voicing the movie's characters includes Lea Michele from TV's "Glee", Dan Akroyd, Martin Short, Jim Belushi, Patrick Stewart, and Kelsey Grammar.  Filled with new songs from Academy Award nominated singer/songwriter Bryan Adams and featuring numerous new characters this is a fun movie to enjoy for a family movie night.

 

For more information, visit LegendsofOzMovie.com

Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary Bluray/DVD/Digital Download movie package for myself and one for A GEEK DADDY reader courtesy of my participation in the FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT INSIDERS blogger program. #ozinsiders