Mapusaurus is a carcharodontosaurid that lived in Argentina through the late Cretaceous and can be one of many largest theropods recognized. It was solely barely smaller than its shut relative, Giganotosaurus, and the skeletal variations between them are minimal. Right this moment we’re taking a look at Mattel’s Mapusaurus. Spoiler alert, it’s a very cool toy however a reasonably dangerous Mapusaurus.
The Mattel Mapusaurus measures 14” (33.56 cm) lengthy and stands about 5.5” (13.97 cm) tall on the hips. The precise Mapusaurus is estimated to have measured 33-40’ (10.2–12.2 meters) lengthy which places the toy within the 1/28-1/34 scale vary. Woefully small when in comparison with Mattel’s 1/18 giant theropods, automobiles, and people. However except it’s a movie canon species you may usually anticipate it to get shrunk down.
The determine has two wheels alongside the again that activate the identical motion characteristic, which is considerably odd. Rolling both wheel ahead makes the pinnacle transfer up and down and the jaws snap open and closed. What’s nifty about this motion characteristic is you can basically change the pose of the pinnacle by solely partially rotating the wheel. It may be displayed with the pinnacle lifted and mouth open, or impartial with the mouth closed, or going through down with the mouth open.
A row of spikes hidden within the again could be prolonged by way of a button on the underside. I’ve by no means appreciated the retracting spikes on these toys however they’re straightforward sufficient to disregard. The legs and arms are articulated with the rubbery arms having the ability to rotate round and swing out and in, and the legs having the ability to rotate and pivot outwards barely. The ft may also rotate round.
Mattel fully botches the one characteristic that might make this determine identifiable as a Mapusaurus, the pinnacle, which in carcharodontosaurids is usually lengthy, low, and slender. On this toy it seems extra abelisaurid like, being considerably quick, deep, and blunt on the snout. Mattel loves abelisaurids and has made loads of them. It seems like they wish to make their different theropods appear to be them too! The remainder of the physique has a generic theropod look together with your typical cartoonish proportions. Outsized ft and the like.
Mattel might have gone overboard with the small print and bodily gildings right here, however the toy is all the higher for it. The top is detailed with snake-like diamond formed scales which can be bigger on the decrease jaw than elsewhere. Labial scales line the mouth, and a cluster of huge scales is sculpted on the again of the decrease jaw, a frequent addition to Mattel theropods. The tooth are the superb rubbery inserts we’ve been having fun with recently. The tongue has a tough texture, and grooves are sculpted onto the roof of the mouth.
Twin rows of big jagged osteoderms run down the again with smaller osteoderms clustered between them and alongside the surface edges. The remainder of the physique is roofed in superb pebbly scales, and this consists of the underside as properly. Small groupings of osteoderms, or characteristic scales (no matter they’re) could be seen on the shoulders and arms, alongside the flanks, and on the thighs, with these on the thighs and tail base being giant, flattened, and spherical. Chicken-like scutes run down the fingers and toes.
Mattel pulled no punches with the paintjob, with a posh and full paintjob protecting a lot of the toy. The determine is painted with a mix of darkish blue and boring orange. The colour combo runs down your complete toy, together with the tail, and legs too. The one unpainted portion of the toy is the arms however even the toenails are painted right here, shiny black. The tooth are white, the within of the mouth is pink, and the eyes are brown with black elliptical pupils. The retractable spikes contained in the again are purple. Two refined colour variations of this toy exist with the opposite being darkish blue and white.
The Mattel Mapusaurus wins few factors for accuracy however in being a gnarly badass toy it succeeds superbly. I think about it will likely be in style with its goal child demographic, however I feel it ought to show equally in style with grownup collectors which can be nonetheless kids at coronary heart. The Mattel Mapusaurus is at present out there for about $25 however since that is the vacation season I’m certain there’s a sale you may reap the benefits of.
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