I am always impressed when toy lines, no matter how big or small, creates figures of species rarely seen or never before seen on the market. The Jurassic World/Park has done this several times, and continues to do so. Here, we are looking at one such recent example, Gasosaurus, a theropod from the Mid-Jurassic of Sichuan, and honours the gasoline company that found the fossil sight. Let’s take a closer look.
Let’s get started! This figure measures 7.5″ long and 3″ high, a decent size for a smaller predator (Gasosaurus reached a height of roughly 3 ft and length of 11 to 13 ft). The colour scheme works well for an animal that might hunt in a forest or scrub land area, with multiple greens covering the body. It features seven points of articulation: the tail (which in near useless), both legs (decent movement when not at ratcheted points), the arms (great movement), the neck (decent, but could be better) and the jaw, which was so stiff that, until researching for this review, I thought it was stuck wide open, hence why most these shots feature it with it’s mouth wide open.
Now I want to briefly talk about the gimmick. This brings back the old battle damage feature from past Jurassic Park figures, but it has changed from those days by being an integrated feature, having a nodule on the side which can be pushed in to reveal the damage and pulled to put the skin back to normal. A natural evolution of the gimmick into one that will mean it’s price won’t depreciate when the battle damage piece goes missing.
Now to accuracy. This is a difficult thing to talk about with Gasosaurus, as there is very little known of it. From what is known, this isn’t terrible for post cranial anatomy, with the limbs a decent length and the body a good size. The issues I find lie with the pronated hands and the head. Though skull material of Gasosaurus has never been found, related species (possibly a junior synonym) Kaijiangosaurus has a much thinner, longer skull, whereas this has a skull that looks more like a Tyrannosaurus. When i first saw this, I did think it was just a small Tyrannosaurus figure, until I saw the name on the box. A mixed bag to be sure.
I really do appreciate Mattel for going with new, interesting species for this line, but feel that a more complete species may have been a better choice. This figure looks to much like the tyrant lizard king for it’s own good, and the articulation could do better in certain areas. It is fun and I am sure kids will love it, while collectors may see charms in it. If you like it, grab it, by all means.
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“If you like it, grab it, by all means.”
You say that as if its that easy for all of us to do just that. Most of us would be lucky to find this at an online venue at a decent price. Let alone, at a local Brick and mortor store that sells the line. (Like Wal-Mart)
I’m sorry if I caused offence with that last line. When I bought this, it was for £9.99 at an Asda, and hadn’t seen the price hike on it, so thought it was still about for a cheap price.
Honestly I don’t think there’s any reason to be sorry. This figure simply hasn’t been released in the U.S. yet. Once it’s here I’m sure it will be cheap and abundant.
I like that Mattel has been selecting some obscure genera, but I’d greatly prefer ones that have skull material. Marshosaurus is a relatively small theropod whose skull is known, and it hasn’t received any toys AFAIK.
I agree. There are more figures of creatures like Serendipiceratops, only known from a leg bone, then animals with known skulls. At least Gasosaurus is better than most.
I also would have preferred Acrocanthosaurus or Mapusaurus or Yangchuanosaurus to the upcoming Siats. Any of those three certainly meet the criteria for a “massive biter.”