Mapusaurus is a carcharodontosaurid that lived in Argentina throughout the late Cretaceous and can also be one of many largest theropods identified. It was solely barely smaller than its shut relative, Giganotosaurus, and the skeletal variations between them are minimal. At present we’re Mattel’s Mapusaurus. Spoiler alert, it’s a very cool toy however a fairly unhealthy 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 until it’s a movie canon species you possibly can usually count on it to get shrunk down.
The determine has two wheels alongside the again that activate the identical motion function, which is considerably odd. Rolling both wheel ahead makes the top transfer up and down and the jaws snap open and closed. What’s nifty about this motion function is that you may primarily change the pose of the top by solely partially rotating the wheel. It may be displayed with the top lifted and mouth open, or impartial with the mouth closed, or dealing with down with the mouth open.
A row of spikes hidden within the again may be prolonged by way of a button on the underside. I’ve by no means favored the retracting spikes on these toys however they’re simple sufficient to disregard. The legs and arms are articulated with the rubbery arms with the ability to rotate round and swing out and in, and the legs with the ability to rotate and pivot outwards barely. The ft may rotate round.
Mattel fully botches the one function that might make this determine identifiable as a Mapusaurus, the top, which in carcharodontosaurids is mostly lengthy, low, and slim. On this toy it appears extra abelisaurid like, being considerably quick, deep, and blunt on the snout. Mattel loves abelisaurids and has made a whole lot of them. It appears like they wish to make their different theropods seem like 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 elaborations right here, however the toy is all the higher for it. The pinnacle is detailed with snake-like diamond formed scales which might 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 enamel are the positive 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 large 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 positive pebbly scales, and this contains the underside as effectively. Small groupings of osteoderms, or function scales (no matter they’re) may 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 fancy and full paintjob overlaying a lot of the toy. The determine is painted with a mixture of darkish blue and boring orange. The colour combo runs down the whole 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 enamel 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 pink. Two delicate 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 fantastically. I think about it will likely be well-liked with its goal child demographic, however I feel it ought to show equally well-liked with grownup collectors which might be nonetheless youngsters at coronary heart. The Mattel Mapusaurus is at present out there for about $25 however since that is the vacation season I’m positive there’s a sale you possibly can make the most of.
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