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As the characters, Josh Kirby, Irwin 1138, and Azabeth Siege, are trying to run through time to prevent the dastardly Dr. Zoetrope from acquiring the six pieces of the Nullifier, Josh disconnects from Irwin’s timepod and ends up on a planet that he soon learns is called Toyworld. This planet is filled with giant-sized toys that were created by the good-natured toy maker, Gepetto. This is the precise moment that Zoetrope appears in the scene wanting to obtain the piece for the Nullifier. Wanting to save the day, Josh attempts to rile the toys against the zoetrope only to be struck with the reality where there are no weapons available on this planet and on top of that, all the toys are programmed to be non-violent.
The Band family’s Josh Kirby series of children’s films seem to be arranged in a back-to-back format. The third and final installment of the series is Toyworld, which was based in the titular country. Each of the episodes follows the continuing story of Josh Kirby, the scientist Irwin 1138, a teenage warrior girl Azabeth Siege, and the cute pet Prism as they go on numerous adventures in the time machine like pod to find the pieces of the Nullifier before Zoetrope manages to claim it. As one could expect, each episode ends with a large build up which leaves the viewer wanting more.
The action is quite compelling, even if the plot leaves much to be desired and punkers are wondering. The opening montage sets the stage nicely as flies set the din Headband music transforms into spectacles of wonder. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say these Josh Kirby films are like the TV series Doctor Who (1963-89, 2005– ) but in the context of “landmark.” The works visualize a set of adventures in the past and future with the help of a time machine and there’s magic in the imagination which seems to hold the sloppy effects together. (Yes, the plot device of the series – Nullifier – has been lifted whole-sale from the premise for Who’s Key to Time season (78/79) She is one of the warrior girl Jenifer Burnot Azabeth could be a teen version of Louise Jamieson s Leela).
The simple premise of Trapped On Toyworld is indeed daft a whole planet of toys that can move, but to the films credit it carries its fair share of merciful glee. The budget seemed never to stretch so far as to make the oversized toys believable They are simply average people in badly made costumes and the wind up car is merely a VW with some paint on it. There seemed to be quite a bit of dancing and singing for some people’s comfort.
Under the surface, there are more profound themes that stand out. One can witness the shocking moment in which the protagonist attempts to use the toys for defense but they have been wired for pacifism. This is a problem that needs to be solved, and unlike themed Toys, the 1992 film did not attempt to tackle this problem despite containing a more violent pacifistic premise. The manner in which toymaker Buck Kartalian tries to provide the backstory for the toys, which he created, is at the same time somewhat endearing.
The episode also amusingly contains some “Can’t you just move into the gingerbread house and live happily ever after?” comments from the infatuated Raggedy Ann doll. The effects are poorly executed, with Mark Rappaport’s ineffective puppetry work as the weakest it is always intriguing why the Bands kept hiring Rappaport for so many films. Nonetheless, this remains an appealing addition to the series.
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