The Packaging:
* The Packaging on the larger pieces in the MOTU Origins line has been incredible and the Land Shark might have the best packaging yet! Not only is the old-school window box topped with a beautiful depiction of Skeletor driving the vehicle just aesthetically amazing but the side panels have images of various creatures we haven't yet scene in the line.
The Positives:
* Considering that getting a vehicle in a toyline is fairly uncommon these days just having a Land Shark this big is pretty cool. It's a good quality piece and while it's a bit more "toy" than collector's piece, it's still fairly large and impressive. While the Origins figures aren't really larger than the vintage toys (the articulation allows them to stand up rather than remain in a battle crouch like the vintage line) the Land Shark is a good bit larger than the vintage toy.
* The most iconic feature of the Land Shark is the shark themed front of the vehicle. The detail is very similar to the vintage toy but the teeth are more detailed and the eyes look really piercing. This thing is amazing in the most nonsensical way you could imagine a vehicle designed for combat to be. The packaging has always implied that the Land Shark is both a monster and a vehicle, so take that how you will.
* The vintage toy's mouth opened by pressing a switch but the Origins version of Land Shark opens when you roll it. There are two rolling axles on the bottom (four wheels in all) and the front axle, when rolled, causes the Land Shark's mouth to open and close. It's really pretty cool! There are actually some sculpted blades and rivets inside of the Land Shark's mouth, too, which is another upgrade this version gets.
* The Land Shark doesn't just bite! It also has two massive cannons mounted on the sides. They can pivot up and down to allow for a better firing angle. One of these cannons comes loose in the package (as does one of the treads) and you have to snap them together. They're a one-time assembly piece, though, so don't try to take them apart.
* The cockpit of the Land Shark is fairly roomy and holds most of the Origins figures with ease. Tri-Klops looks pretty comfy in here, doesn't he?
* Even better yes, a Masters of the Universe Classics figure can fit inside the Land Shark. It's not perfect due to the space under the hood where the legs go being a bit tight but you can get a figure inside of here. I have to wonder if Mattel released the Land Shark so early knowing that MOTUC collectors would probably bite on this one as well since the Land Shark never made it into MOTUC. Considering Land Shark and Roton are my two favorite vehicles, I'm thrilled to have a version of each now to display with my MOTUC line, which is my favorite toyline of all time.
* Rather than sculpting the control panel like we would have seen on a Masters of the Universe Classics Land Shark the Origins vehicle gets a simple sticker. It's OK. It's bright and colorful and on par with the vintage toy.
* The back of the Land Shark doesn't have the removable seat back or the removable engine cover like the vintage toy but the colors are quite nice and the stickers look good. They're pretty cleanly applied, too, so that's a big plus.
The Negatives:
* The vintage toy had two different cannons, one on each side, but the Origins Land Shark has the same cannons. I liked the asymmetrical look of the vintage toy and I hate that it wasn't carried over here. The recent Hot Wheels Land Shark has the asymmetrical cannons so it's not like Mattel didn't realize that they were a thing.
Do you also love the Land Shark? Then check out my review of the Hot Wheels Premium Land Shark, too!
Wait? What? There's a landshark vehicle? Sweet!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed! I ended up getting mine through Amazon.
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