With the summer movie season only weeks away the list of hot toys is here. This is the first post in a four part series where we take a look at the toys connected to what may this years biggest movies (for toys anyway).

The movies are sure have a huge line of toys and products are the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Teenage Mutant Turtles, Transformers, and Spiderman 3. Each movie is sure to have official products from action figures to tasty sugary cereal. Here is the first group we took a look at from Disney’s powerhouse franchise; Pirates of the Caribbean.

At World’s End

With the huge success of the first two films, “The Curse of the Black Perl” and Dead Man’s Chest”, the Pirates series already has a huge toy line. The question is will the toys of “At World’s End” be up to par. Looking at Disney’s site, the early release toys look a bit uninspired. There are a bunch of $9.95 3 ¾” action figures of the major characters from the film but a few caught my attention at the local Target.

Basically all the toys Disney’s site displays where they plus a few extras. A few toys jumped out at me; the Spinning Dagger, and the Sensor Sword with Magic Ring, and the Skull Room Alarm. Each had some unique features beyond the standard action figure and diorama sets.

Spinning DaggerThe toy I really liked here is the Spinning Dagger. Basically this is a toy that attaches a kid’s hand and with the flick of a button the plastic dagger spins around and makes fighting noises. The dagger can also be removed for “more pirate play.” The Spinning Dagger sells for $10.

Next up, the Sensor Sword with Magic Ring. Having not seen “At World’s End” yet I cannot really understand how this toy goes along with the plot. In short the sword can sense when some one is wearing the accompanying ring. If you are wearing the ring the sword acts favorably. If not the sword acts adversely. I guess in the movie this is Jack’s sword and will only fight well in the hands of the Legendary Jack Sparrow. See the movie to find out. The Sensor Sword with Magic Ring sells as a package for $18.

Sword

POC AlarmLastly, is the very “piraty” looking Skull Room Alarm. This swashbuckling looking device is a motion sensor that can be set to alarm mode to scare off mom, dad, or siblings when they try to gain unauthorized access to a kid’s room. The Skull Room Alarm can detect movement from up to 6’ away. It responds by flashing lights, moving its jaw, and making noises. The Skull Room Alarm also has a joke function where it will spout out (assumedly) pirate humor. It retails for $20.

Target has all of these toys listed for release on May 15, 2007 on Target.com. However they were on the shelves as of April 22, 2007.

Overall the new Pirates of the Caribbean line is mainly the standard action figure line, but these few toys offer a welcome breath of fresh air. Expect more and more Pirates of the Caribbean toys out as the summer wears on and Christmas approaches. Next up Spider-Man!