Review and images by PhilSauria, edited by Suspsy
In a nutshell, Edmontosaurus could be described as one of the larger species of hadrosaur, with adults ranging from 9 to 12 meters long and weighing in at about 4 metric tons, with a very wide distribution across western Canada and the U.S. Thanks to the considerable amount and quality of fossil remains, it is one dinosaur that we know quite a lot about. For instance, the tail bones of one specimen tell of a close encounter with a Tyrannosaurus rex while others have left behind skin impressions and evidence of their last meal. Although two species are recognised today, E. regalis and E annectens, this animal has had quite a chequered path to this point with more than a few aliases and attributions over the years. The type species (E. regalis) was named by Lawrence Lambe in 1917.
It is that species that Mattel has included their Primal Attack Sound Strike line. It comes packaged in the bright orange and red Primal Attack livery with the electric fence behind it, a graphic displaying its action features on the left side of the box, and Owen and Blue staring out into the distance on the right side. This is one of Mattel’s mid-sized figures, which makes it larger than the releases from most of the other brands that we are used to. The figure measuring 30 cm (just short of 12 inches) from snout to tail while coming in at 12 cm (just under 5 inches) from toes to back at the hip.
The Edmontosaurus is sculpted in a leisurely walking pose with the front foot slightly raised, its eyes looking straight ahead, and the tail held high and straight out behind. Although Mattel figures do tend skimp on tail length as a rule (no doubt to save on plastic and packaging), the tail on this figure does not look as odd as the short ones on some of the theropods. There is a reasonable amount of surface detail which consists of wrinkles, scales, and muscle definition, but we’re not talking Papo-level finish by any means.
The colour scheme consists of a basic light brown body, blue face from which the yellow stands out nicely and a matching yellow crest on the head. The dark grey markings that cover the face, front legs, and tail do have me wondering if the animal was standing too close to a muddy patch when one of the park vehicles sped by and ended up causing it to wear some of that mud. I do think that the muted tones suit the figure (making Safari’s 2020 release of the same species quite the literal contrast with its brighter colours).
Looking now at the articulation, the front legs can move forward and backwards on ball joints, and can also be moved out to the side (but why would you want to?). The back legs have forward and backward motion, ratcheting as they go. But why not keep it in its stately walking pose and avoid the gymnastics? Younger buyers, of course, will have a different take on posing.
And last, but not least (I guess), is the action features. Gripping the tail and moving it up and down or side to side will cause the head to do likewise, all with the sound of a roar loud enough to be heard a couple of rooms away. I suppose if someone were twisting my tail around, I’d hardly keep quiet about it!
On the whole, I quite like this Edmontosaurus figure and am pleased to add another herbivore to my collection, as I am not really favouring the meat eaters over the plant fanciers on my shelves.
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The extra toes on the hind feet are really odd considering the Parasaurolophus doesn’t have them.
Thanks for the comment, and the extra info. I should have done a bit more research prior to writing this, though I am not familiar with the JW sites and games I do like Julius Cstotonyi’s artwork and a Google search did reveal the blue face, which I’d forgotten about.
Excellent review. I think the oddest things about this figure is the fourth digit on the feet, and the reused carnivore (particularly Indoraptor?) sounds. The resemblance to the Julius Csotonyi artwork (and in turn the Jurassic World Evolution take on it) for the Jurassic World website is a great touch however making this still a great addition to the lineup. Now I only hope they can do the often forgotten JPIII Corythosaurus (and perhaps additionally an Iguanodon and Ouranosuarus for larger ornithopods in general).