The discharge of genera equivalent to Metriacanthosaurus, Concavenator, and Irritator within the Hammond Assortment line was initially met with controversy. Some collectors have been excited to see non-canonical dinosaurs be part of the distinguished Hammond Assortment whereas others have been dismayed, hoping the dinosaurs seen within the movies could be given precedence. For these dissatisfied people it was laborious to remain indignant at Mattel although, all three of these figures have been met with excessive reward upon launch. And technically, two of these dinosaurs are movie canon. The Concavenator seems as a taxidermy mount in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and the Metriacanthosaurus appeared in Jurassic Park, it was simply in title solely, the genus title written on one of many embryo vials that Nedry steals. Metriacanthosaurus has been lurking within the background of the Jurassic Park franchise because the begin. It was once more acknowledged in Jurassic World, not within the movie however within the promotional materials, and it options within the Jurassic World: Evolution online game. Mattel has additionally been making toys of it since 2018.
Metriacanthosaurus is an obscure late Jurassic theropod found within the higher Oxford Clay in England. The fabric for it’s scant, consisting of some vertebra, hip materials, and leg bones. It’s the dinosaur for which the clade Metriacanthosauridae will get it title although. Notable Metriacanthosaurids embrace Sinraptor and Yangchuanosaurus. The Hammond Assortment Metriacanthosaurus measures about 13.5” (34.28 cm) lengthy and stands about 5” (12.7 cm) tall on the hips. The precise animal is estimated to have measured 26.2’ (7.9 meters) which might put the toy at about 1/23 in scale.
The Hammond Assortment Metriacanthosaurus possesses 17 factors of articulation. It’s customary Hammond Assortment stuff that you just most likely anticipate by now. Each the higher and decrease jaw can open, and the bottom of the cranium and neck are articulated. The arms are articulated on the shoulders and elbows with ball joints. The legs are articulated on the hips, knees, ankles, and toes. The tail comes packaged unattached and as soon as popped into place can’t be eliminated. It’s made from rubber with a bendable wire inside. The articulation works in addition to it’s best to anticipate it to. The higher jaw is unfastened on my copy and it’s tough to get it to remain up. These sorts of high quality management points are considerably widespread with Hammond Assortment figures.
When it comes to accuracy there’s not sufficient of the particular animal to match this one with, however you’re most likely not shopping for it for accuracy anyway. It has a conservative, generic, Allosaurus-like look. Enamel are uncovered, after all, and the fingers are pronated however because the toy is articulated you possibly can simply repair that. I do want Mattel would add wrist articulation extra typically although. Proportionally the determine appears to be like respectable. Mattel’s mid-sized HC theropods have higher proportioned ft than the bigger and smaller ones do, or did, Mattel appears to be downsizing the ft on all their HC theropods.
The toy is detailed with small pebbly scales throughout the physique. Fowl-like tarsal scutes are sculpted on the fingers and toes. Labial scales are sculpted alongside the lips and the fenestra on the cranium are all sunken in and visual. The enamel are properly proportioned and forged in white plastic quite than painted. The within of the mouth is properly textured with a wet-like sheen. Wrinkles and pores and skin folds are sculpted the place acceptable, notably alongside the underside of the neck, torso, and tail. The ribcage is barely seen below the pores and skin, together with musculature across the legs and arms.
The determine’s base shade is a lightweight tannish peach with a lighter underside. Chocolate brown horizontal stripes run from the top, down the torso, and throughout the thighs. Vertical brown stripes run down the tail. The snout is tipped in caramel coloration that additionally extends unto the lacrimal horns and over the eyes. The claws are all painted darkish brown, aside from the hallux toes that are unpainted. The eyes are brown with darker brown pupils.
I’ve combined emotions about this paintjob. It’s respectable sufficient however I want the horizontal stripes continued down the tail as an alternative of terminating on the tail after which being changed with vertical stripes. The distinction in striping doesn’t look pure this manner. I additionally suppose that Mattel ought to have lifted one of many skins from Jurassic World: Evolution, like they did up to now with their Edmontosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus. A number of the skins used for the sport’s Metriacanthosaurus are spectacular. When this determine was introduced I had hoped it could take extra inspiration from the sport. Certainly, my fondness for the sport is what compelled me to get it.
The Hammond Assortment Metriacanthosaurus just isn’t notably thrilling in comparison with one thing just like the Carnotaurus, however works nicely as a primary mid-size theropod. The conservative reconstruction makes it one of many extra plausible efforts from Mattel too. The paintjob, whereas not spectacular, remains to be ample, and the determine’s total proportions and articulation are wonderful. It’s a huge enchancment over the mainline Metriacanthosaurus and the Hammond Assortment’s current enlargement into extra obscure dinosaurs makes the mainline more and more much less interesting typically. This determine has been out for some time now however remains to be accessible, retailing for about $21.99. I think about will probably be phased out before later so get it when you can.
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