Disclaimer: We got to see Ready, Race, Rescue for free and were sent the Paw Patrol Mobile Pit Stop toy for the purposes of this review post.
There are few things that my son enjoys more than a trip to the cinema, especially when it involves his favourite things in the world; popcorn and Paw Patrol.
With last year’s ‘Mighty Pups’ Paw Patrol film (and, naturally, the associated toy range) proving a huge hit, it was inevitable that we would go and see this year’s Paw Patrol film; Ready, Race, Rescue.
Ready, Race, Rescue
The latest Paw Patrol cinematic offering, which is a toddler-friendly 50 minutes long once you’ve got through the trailers, follows the pups as they take on their newest roles as pit crew at Adventure Bay’s race track with Ryder’s brand new Mobile Pit Stop.
Unfortunately Marshall’s idol, racing driver ‘The Whoosh’, ends up injured. Instead of pulling out of the championship and letting the cheating Cheetah (a relative of the naughty Mayor Humdinger, obviously) win, he inexplicably he asks Marshall to take over and take part in the championship race for him.
Meanwhile, the Cheetah steals everyone else’s race cars to make her own one even better.
Will the pups figure out what’s going on and stop the dastardly thief? Will Marshall manage to beat the baddies and bring home the trophy, despite him being a dog and not having any racing experience?
Well, of course he will. I’m sorry if that was a spoiler for you.
Should I take my child to see Ready, Race, Rescue at the cinema?
Sure, why not?
It’s certainly not the worst film I’ve seen over the last year (The Emoji Movie, I’m looking at you).
It’s only short so I wouldn’t pay full price (my local Odeon is about £15 a ticket these days, thus explaining why we never go) but if you get a good deal then there are plenty of worse ways to spend an hour or so during a miserable half term; soft play for example.
Your child will probably sit still (but even if they don’t, no one is going to get annoyed at a kids’ movie) and they’ll be able to follow the plot easily, so you can get away with having a nap or doing some mediation, or just shovel popcorn into your mouth and think about important things like who would win in a fight between a badger and… a member of the Paw Patrol, perhaps.
Some critics (mums in my parenting group) have complained that it’s very Marshall heavy and that, given he drives a fire engine, he probably isn’t the most natural choice to become a racing driver but that’s nonsense. Marshall is my son’s favourite Paw Patrol pup and I think Chase is a bit of an idiot personally.
Ready, Race, Rescue toys
Of course with the film comes a new range of toys from Spinmaster!
The Mobile Pit Stop, which features throughout the film, is the biggest of them, and we were sent one to have a play with!
The Paw Patrol ‘Ready, Race, Rescue’ Mobile Pit Stop comes with the large pit stop vehicle, Chase and Chase’s racing car (which seems an odd choice as Marshall is definitely the main character in this film!).
It comes fully assembled with batteries included and stickers in place so you can remove it from the packaging and play straight away.
How to use the Paw Patrol ‘Ready, Race, Rescue’ Mobile Pit Stop
Firstly, open up the back of the pit stop vehicle and drive the racecar inside until the wheels are positioned on top of the yellow buttons.
There are four tyres on the top. One makes sounds when pressed, and the other flips open the Mobile Pit Stop and the side springs out with the racecar positioned on top of the vehicle launcher.
Pressing the yellow button at the back will launch the racecar which will zoom off!
There is space for pups to drive the Mobile Pit Stop; in the film it’s driven by Ryder and Robot Dog and (surprise, surprise) we already had these characters from previous playsets.
To reset it, push the vehicle launcher back in and press the plastic flaps back into place to play again.
Priced at around £40, it is available from large toy stores and online including via Amazon. Compatible Ready, Race, Rescue vehicles are available from Smyths Toys and cost £14.99.