Ceratosaurus is the other new Wild Safari theropod for 2012. Unlike Acrocanthosaurus, which is a brand new addition to the range, this Ceratosaurus replaces an older, now retired sculpt that was actually one of the best of the ‘old wave’ Wild Safari dinosaur toys. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to deny that this new model is a considerable improvement.
Ceratosaurus is typically imagined as cowering in the shadows of the bigger, badder theropods that lived alongside it, especially the far more numerous Allosaurus. However – and as Scott Hartman will tell you – it certainly wasn’t a wuss. In terms of proportions, this figure looks to have been based on the famous Smithsonian specimen that was probably a subadult (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Happily, it follows the anatomy of the real animal very closely, with the exception of the toes, which have again been enlarged to aid stability.
While it’s always great to have a stable figure that nevertheless has its tail held high, the giganto-toes do end up looking a little clownish on this figure, probably because it’s (accurately) more slender than that hefty Acrocanthosaurus. Still, unlike certain other Ceratosaurus figures – some of which should be wiped from the face of the Earth – they’re the only things that stick out as being obviously wrong. In fact, this is a figure that rewards close inspection, as it’s rich in small details – from the tiny, vestigial, clawless fourth finger to the excellently sculpted head with its three distinctive horns and HUGE teeth, all of which are individually sculpted. Arguably the head is a little bit too ‘hollow’ in places, but you really couldn’t ask for much better.
Safari have really ramped up the production values of their Wild Safari figures in recent years, and while not matching the frankly ridiculously high standard set by Papo, they’re surely getting close – and of course Safari actually make an effort to research the animal concerned, rather than just grabbing the nearest pop culture reference (of course there are always exceptions, before you start your trolling engines). Superficial details are gloriously crisp and refined, with the scaly covering and tiny eyes being particularly praiseworthy. Although the brown colouration (with red throat patch) is a little bland and uninspired, it at least appears naturalistic, and there are very few instances of paintjob fudging. Painting the larger scales on the feet and hands the same colour as the claws was a mistake, though – they’d have been better off going for standard issue Shiny Shiny Black™ for the pointy bits. Other than that, and a little sloppiness around the teeth, it’s top marks.
As long as you don’t mind expando-feet, and aren’t averse to theropods (and why would you be?), there’s really no reason to not get hold of this figure. It’s inexpensive, well researched and lovingly detailed. I might even go as far as to say that it’s the best Ceratosaurustoy yet produced, and not just because I wish to invoke 10 million comments from furious Battat fans. For the price, you can’t go wrong!
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[…] About the toy:  The figure is sculpted in a rather relaxed walking pose.  This happy go lucky figure appears to be looking for somebody  to play with, or heading to the local watering hole for a quick dip.  It certainly doesn’t look very menacing.  Depending on the figure, it may be able to stand on two legs, or it will literally fall back into the “classic” tripod.  At 6 in (15.24 cm) long and and a little over 3 in (7.80 cm) high, it is smaller than its 2012 replacement. […]
Hmmm I shopping for a good ceratosaurus but is undecided on either this safari version or REBOR one… Any advice ?
[…] people think of Ceratosaurus toys, they usually think of great models like the Safari and Battat models, but there is one model that is never given any recognition despite being a […]
Another excellent model from Safari, ostrich feet included!! This, along with the Gryposaurus, Dracorex and the new ceratopsians, ranked among the best sculpted dinosaurs ever churned out by Safari. Kudos for a job well executed.
Good lord, so much is made of the large feet. This figure is great. I’m perfectly fine with the feet.
[…] media exposure, this species does not appear very much in toy form, with figures from Kaiyodo and Safari being the only other plastic versions. Luckily this offering from Battat is more than good enough […]
[…] year. While their bipeds have attracted criticism from some quarters for having oversized feet (the Ceratosaurus being particularly irksome in this respect), it’s clear that the production values have […]
the wild safari ceratosaurus is amoung the best mass produced figure of its type ever-its worth collecting more than 1 of these well detailed figures-at this point from this view the wild safari collection are better than the main carnegie collection who only releases a few figures each year-
Has Safari stopped inking numbers on their dinosaurs? I recently wanted to replace my Carnegie Dilong with the broken hand, but all of the recently produced specimens in the store had black numbers inked on the sides of their tails, which looked really stupid. Didn’t buy one.
Also, I finally saw the WS Guanlong and it is just awful, looks like a WS toy from the 1990s.
I don’t know, but I bought a Carnegie Dilong quite recently and it didn’t have numbers on its tail – rather, they are on the inside of the right leg (and really not obvious).
As for the Guanlong, I haven’t seen it in person, but am not in a hurry to buy one. From the photos I’ve seen I’d have to agree with your description…
sweet jesus, this thing is amazing. can’t wait till i get some money together
Wiped from the face of the earth. You sadistic madman!
That’s me to a T.
Whatever people say I look like a good animal, nice and cheap and a loss of face as the new Carnegie Brachiosaurus and Wild Safari Acrocanthosaurus its predecessor.
Another one which looks far superior in actuality than promotional photographs. I think it could well rival the Battat in several ways.
Aaargh! Noooooooooooooooooooooo! Caudofemoralis-shrinkage!
I thought about mentioning that, as I did mention it in my review of the Acrocanthosaurus. But then…it’s a sub-€10 figure. It’s difficult to judge where to draw the pedantic line…