McDonald's Attacked For "Horrifying" Marvel Happy Meals

[Tom Goldman]

McDonald's Attacked For "Horrifying" Marvel Happy Meals

Would you believe that McDonald's is giving away superhero action figures in its Happy Meals? The horror!

McDonald's latest Happy Meal giveaway features Marvel Superhero action figures such as the Human Torch, Thing, and Captain America. Awesome right? Not according to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which calls the giveaway a "new low."

The campaign writes [http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/actions/mcdonaldsclobberintime.html]: "It's hard to believe, but McDonald's Happy Meal toys have hit a new low." Is McDonald's giving away porn? Guns? Rat poison? No, just superhero toys. The CCFC seems to think that the toys will get children addicted to "violent PG-13" movies. I'm not joking.

"It's awful that this giveaway continues the troubling trend of fast food restaurants promoting toys linked to violent PG-13 movies," the CCFC says. "A so-called happy meal at McDonald's features the horrifying spectacle of a man on fire and a menacing figure that explicitly spurs them to violence."

The CCFC is referring to the Thing's action figure, which says: "It's clobberin time!" Apparently, the CCFC thinks this will send pre-schoolers into a violent rage. And a "horrifying spectacle of a man on fire?" Seriously?

The Happy Meal promotion also features a Spider-Man figure that terrifyingly sticks to walls with suction cups, the Silver Surfer unimaginably standing on a surfboard, and Captain America throwing his shield to disgustingly protect innocent people. How awful can McDonald's get?

"If clobberin' time is McDonald's idea of family fun, it's time to steer clear of the Golden Arches," the CCFC says. What dimensional portal did these people just emerge from? Hasn't McDonald's been giving away action figures for decades? Can't the organization understand that the toys are just fun for kids to play with?

Though I don't agree with activists and politicians that campaign against videogame violence, I can almost understand where they're coming from. These action figures are so innocent, I feel like the CCFC has got to be joking. This would be like Jack Thompson saying that Carnival Games [http://www.amazon.com/Carnival-Games-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B000QD7BBM/ref=pd_ts_vg_34?ie=UTF8&s=videogames] was going to cause World War III. I'm trying to see a valid point in here somewhere, but I don't.

Via: Bleeding Cool [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/08/08/mcdonalds-condemned-for-marvel-happy-meals/]

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[Vilcus]

They sound almost as insane a PETA, not quite though. I honestly don't see how anyone can be this stupid. Anyone who thinks that plastic is "horrifying" needs to get their brain fixed, because there's something wrong with the wiring.

 

[Macgyvercas]

I have never heard such asshatery. I've never heard of said asshats (in this case, the CCFC) before either. Seriously, these trolls make Michael Atkinson look like a swell guy.

*adds CCFC to List of Things I Hate*

 

[WNxSajuukCor]

I remember when they gave out Nintendo themed toys back in the day. I have to admit, I've been kicking turtles ever since.


So I take it now that CCFC is the new PETA.

 

[Blue Musician]

I never liked McDonalds. I would actually like that it disappears. But their excuse to remove them is kinda pointless. I would have a lot more reasons to retire those games...

 

[Daemascus]

I think the CCFC may be insane... I think the the people at CCFC are kids never had fun. May be they should team up with the church people who protested at Comic-Con.

 

[Stormz]

THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111111

We all know that an action figure is going to make our children turn into serial killers, oh and dem PG-13 movies too! durrrr.

 

[Iznat]

That is completely ridiculous.

I'm not going to deny my kinds a trip to Maccy D's because of an super hero toy. I'm going to deny them a trip cause I'll feel like a fatty for eating their leftover fries.

Superhero comics were written FOR KIDS. That's like saying kids cant read Dennis the Menace because they'll want catapults and a violent dog. It's a complete overreaction, and pisses me off. If I want nanny my kids to that point, I'll wrap them in bubble wrap and stuff their ears with cotton, thanks.

 

[Escapefromwhatever]

Wait, what? Now superheroes are considered inappropriate for children? SUPERHEROES?!

These guys might disagree with the CCFC. I suggest that this group listen to them.

 

[Rakkana]

Why people without brains are not aloud opinions.

This shouldn't stop them though. We should just ignore these idiots and move on.

 

[Crimsane]

Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.... even your name is a joke.

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is a national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups and concerned parents who counter the harmful effects of marketing to children through action, advocacy, education, research, and collaboration. CCFC is a project of Third Sector New England in Boston.

I'm sorry, what? I can't hear you over the sound of my own laughter.

 

[Mr. Elemenopee]

I want to believe you are just joking and this hasn't really happened. Do they really think plastic toys would do that? First off, they would have to know WHO they are, second... well I still don't see any possible way that they will go into violent frenzies or whatnot. This is just crazy talk. The OP had a really good way of saying it when he mentioned Spidey, the Silver Surfer, etc. I mean all they point out is the Thing.

 

[Deviltongue]

2 things the world needs, Internet Vigilantes and Stupidity police. Sadly, their jobs seem to be overlapping.

 

[MrMisfit]

The thought process of people like this completely baffle me. "Oh no! They're giving toys to children! We must stop them before the kids are corrupted!" Give me a break.

 

[Mimssy]

Yes, because admiring athletes who end up using drugs and getting arrested for all sorts of super fun awful crimes is SO much better than a fictional superhero who has flaws but ultimately chooses the path of good. Oh the HORROR!

 

[Generic_Dave]

Surely the ploy of using toys to manipulate children to demand their parents bring them to eat fatty, non-nutritional foods is more a cause of outrage than a few plastic toys...but then again I have children's best interests at heart, not an insane puritanical streak.

 

[Stone Wera]

I swear this is going to become most commented...

OT: [rant]Really? I hope this is the last time I have to hear of the CCFC. Not only are they idiots, I hate what they're standing for as well, addiction to violent PG-13 movies? Hell, they could find more horrifying things on the History Channel. Kids need to learn that life isn't a perfect little safe haven from the horrors of comic books, and it can only do them good to learn that.[/rant]

 

[Buizel91]

Wait, what? Now superheroes are considered inappropriate for children? SUPERHEROES?!

These guys might disagree with the CCFG. I suggest that they listen.

Haha, that made me laugh XD

OT: I can't believe it has come to this, they are toys, kids play with them, everyone knows this and now these dickwads want to spoil a child's fun?

I think McDonald's should do "clobbering time" more often, i like the sound of it =D And i would love for them to do this more often just to piss the CCFC off =P