Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Fright Features, Ecto Collection, Goo Jitsu

Blame the 2020 pandemic all you want, but Hasbro did their fair share in judging the demand for new Ghostbusters products.  Several successful GB-related Haslab crowdfunds and one successful movie relaunch later, they are getting another chance with Frozen Empire heading toward theaters in March.  With only a couple month away, how has Hasbro done with the toy aisles?  Well, about as good as they did with Indiana Jones:  not much.  And what little there is out there is mainly available at Target and online retailers.  Sigh...post 2008 movie launches...

So far its all been geared toward younger audiences with the continuation of the Real Ghostbusters inspired "Fright Features" movie line.  I dig them for what they are:  toon representations of the actors along with their signature gear.  They do get away with some body reuse, but they have added a few more paint apps (name tags, undershirts, elbow pads).  Best part about these, just like the original RGB figures, you get a hero and a ghost in one pack.

Gone are the action feature ghost gimmick from last time.  Now we have hollow rubber ghosts intended to be stretched over our Busters.  I feel they cheaped out on this plastic-wise, but the sculpts on the ghosts are pretty good.  Slimer in particular.  He looks just like the real deal!  Ghostbusters prime, even!  Since he was omitted from the 6-inch figure line, he makes a great stand-in.

Speaking of the 6-inch "Plasma Series" line...no word yet if we're getting anything new.  Maybe just because of the risk of spoiling the movie?  I would like to believe that, but we've seen how behind Hasbro gets in delivering demand waaaay into the cooling off period of a property (BABY YODA, anyone?).  Still holding out hope for some GB II in this scale.  Hope, but not my breath.

Beyond action figures, Hasbro has skipped the marshmallow goo gimmick and has gone with pure blind box gimmicks for their Slimer and mini-Puft Ecto Collection.  They are more substantial hunks of plastic than the previous pufts, but get off cheap by swapping out varying face plates, heads, and apps.  12 figures here, but really only 6 unique sculpts.  If they are your thing, there is a letter code faintly stamped on one side of the box to help you determine which figure you're getting. 

What else...a revamped play proton wand...redecoed car...some sort of interactive Slimer doll things...oh, and a stretchy Stay Puft.  Good for stress relief if anything else, especially while we wait to see if Hasbro, and the movie itself, drops the ball this time.

Ghostbusters "Drink and Play" Juice with Mini-Puft Figures

 Ghostbusters "Drink and Play" Juice with Mini-Puft Figures

Surprise Drinks

Tired of Mini-Pufts, yet?  Maybe you just need to boost that blood sugar with some of this juice.  Oh, and the bottle has a mystery Mini-Puft secured to the outside, whether you like it or not!

There are six Pufts to collect.  They aren't as big or as wild as the mystery marshmallow goo containers, but I actually like them more. I mean, as fun as it is having one of them permanently engulfed in flames is, these vanilla poses are less "toyetic" and more movie accurate. 

The sculpting is surprisingly good for how little they are, too.  I guess that's the trade off for minimal paint apps?  Their slightly larger brothers are goofy and bizarre, whereas these are just too damned cute all around.  So cute, that Im not sure which is my favorite.  It's probably the ornery one with his tongue sticking out.

The juice leaves a bit to be desired, but at less than $2 each I wont complain much.  Fruit Punch is alright, but Apple tastes like 99% water with an eyedropper of artificial flavor.  I get that they are trying to ride that knife's edge between "healthy" and "fun", but take this one back to formula, please!

The packaging is nice, although ripping the toy capsule out means you'll never have a pristine one for display.  All the Ghostbusters imagery is on the label, so use a pocket or Exacto knife to keep as much as you can intact.  

I picked up a case of twelve of these at the Dollar General around the corner from my house.  Its been a couple of months, but a recent visit there confirms that they should still be out for purchase.  If you want em, get em while you can because, like Bill Murray,  they probably won't show up in the sequel.

Take a look back at more of these disgusting lil blobs:

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2021/10/mini-puft-surprise.html

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife.html

The Family that Busts Together

 The Family that Busts Together

Hasbro Ghostbusters - Target Exclusive

Yeah…unfortunate title.  In a world of committee think, no one spoke out against that one?  That’s the best they could come up with? Whatever, at least they are finally delivering Phoebe, the main character of Ghostbusters Afterlife.  They movie is already here and is doing quite well, so Hasbro may have “Baby Yoda-ed” yet another property by getting her out so late in the game.  Worse than that, they’ve gone the “exclusive” route, potentially making it difficult for fans and completists to nab her.  They’ve also doubled down on character exclusives with this as a two-pack…my long shot theory for Phoebe’s delivery was correct, for better or worse:  the ghost of Egon Spengler has materialized.  Sorry if you have not seen the movie yet, but what a major spoiler, right?  

This set was announced a week or two ago on a Hasbro Pulse fan video.  Coming November 28 to a Target near you…maybe…if your Target doesn’t completely suck, is poached by scalpers, or ignores street dates.  I did not have high hopes for this.  eBay already had a handful of listings for this ranging from $100-$250.  Sigh, I still had to try.

And it paid off.  Not initially, as I was greeted at store opening by empty, picked over shelves.  I had to ask an associate for them, presenting the DCPI # I had obtained from the interwebz.  I had to wait 25 minutes while they dug them out of the back, but I got em!

I’m not sure how Harold Ramis would feel about being featured in this movie so heavily, let alone showing up on toy shelves some seven years after his passing.  “For Harold” has been slapped on everything concerning this project…most of it is sincere, but at the same time, we’re talking about making money off an old film franchise.  Sony/Amy Pascal waited a whole month or two after he died to announce they were moving ahead with the turd concept that would be Ghostbusters Answer the Call.  As they were just chomping at the bit for one of those “old holdouts” to die, Im glad Egon gets to play a part in the righting of the ship.  I take greater offense to the exclusivity of this specific item.  Only at Target…or online at four times it’s retail price…”For Harold?”  Pfffffffft….

Anyway, the sculpts are great on both, even if the translucent nature of Egon shows off his inner toy components a bit.  Hasbro has thrown in a couple of nice accessories that make the set even more of a must have.  The “Spengler” proton pack has Egon’s extra mods:  gaff tape on the handle, shotgun grip, alternate connection hose.  The pack itself may not have all the detail of the screen model, but the cyclotron is removable, so you can view it’s innards.

You also get a sentimental chess piece, a jar of fungus, and a PKE meter with Afterlife taser mode.  Again, a couple of spoilers there if you haven’t yet seen the film.

Another spoiler:  terror dogs are back, and represented in this pack.  Vinz Clortho, the male dog with longer horns has technically been released twice in this line as a full figure.  First, he was a wave one Plasma series build-a-figure.  Then, he was offered in a two pack with Louis Tully as a convention exclusive.  Two terror dog bodies, sharing all the same details…including the head.  I assume this was an oversight by Hasbro.  They should have made the build-a-figure release the Gatekeeper, especially since it contained Dana Barrett.  They could have thrown in the alt head with the second release, but no…here it is, third time is the charm.  Apology?  Or their way of saying “here it is…we’re done now.”  

Two teams of Busters and a duo of baddies complete in one set…is Hasbro calling it quits?  At least until a sequel comes about, it sure feels that way.  Have I mentioned how happy I am to have that Ecto-1 popcorn bucket? 

 

Previously, on “The Quest for a Complete Ghostbusters Collection”:

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2020/06/ghostbusters-plasma-series.html

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2020/11/louis-tullys-terrible-night.html

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife.html

http://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2021/11/ecto-1-popcorn-container.html

Ecto-1 Popcorn Container

Ecto-1 Popcorn Container

AMC Theaters Exclusive

What could be more exciting than a Ghostbusters sequel that rights the ship after the 2016 debacle?  How about an Ecto-1 popcorn “bucket” that is close enough in scale to the 6-in Plasma Series figures?  

What?!  Yes!  At close to 17 inches long, this is the biggest toy compatible Ecto (no, I’m not counting the $200 + LEGO Ecto model) we have been given…and maybe the best we will ever be given.  I’ve complained about Mattel and Hasbro’s failings with Ghostbusters figures til I’m blue in the face…who would have thought it would be AMC Theaters to the rescue?

This was a Ghostbusters Afterlife opening day (November 18), in-theaters-only exclusive.  It was $35 and included a large popcorn.  I have no idea how many people actually drowned this thing in salt and butter, but I can imagine it wasn’t fun to clean out.  My toys wouldn’t approve of the smell or oily residue.  The interior is bare bones, and perfect for figure modification. The Plasma figures fit with room to spare, and the lid closes without bumping heads. 

Outside, it’s quite a thing of beauty for the price. The roof rack is highly detailed, as is the grill, tail fins, mirrors, and lights.  And speaking of lights…with the push of a button, four flashing blue rollers!  That would have been a tier bonus for a $300 crowdfunded Hasbro toy, I would wager!  The wheels don’t roll, but all I was asking for was something that my dolls could fit in.

This is supposed to be the dilapidated, modern look of the car.  Far from “rust city”, the only wear here is some over-applied brown paint.  If someone wanted a true 1984 look, it probably wouldn’t be a hard repaint.  Of course, you would want to move the ladder to the other side, wouldn’t you, nerd?  

 

 

After decades of waiting, I finally have a substitute to make my line feel complete.  I’m sure there are others out there that feel the same way, as it sold out pretty quick.  AMC is putting it up on their website as I’m writing this follow-up (November 22)…act fast, don’t waver…it may not last long!

Ghostbusters Afterlife

Ghostbusters Afterlife

Plasma Series figures - Hasbro

The Covid-delayed apology for Ghostbusters 2016 is finally here!  Just not fast enough to skirt some major spoilers in plastic form.  I guess it should only be a surprise to casual GB fans…the most recent, “final” trailer really let the cat out of the bag:  “The old Ghostbusters are in this?!” exclaimed many a Mom across the planet.  

Yes, for better or worse, Dr. Venkman, Dr. Stantz, and Dr. Zeddemore, are back in the flight suits.  While a full, in-the-flesh view has yet to be seen, the figures look pretty good.

Bill Murray’s likeness here is way better than his younger, series one Plasma Series figure.  Just look at that smirk!  

Ernie Hudson is sporting some gray in the temples, but other than that, barely looks like he’s aged a day.

Dan Akroyd’s likeness is the weakest of the three.  Certain angles and lighting capture him perfectly, but something is still a bit off.  I think he looks a little too Jackie Gleason.  Caddyshack II homage, anyone?  *shudder*

The uniform color has been tweaked to a truer gray/khaki, less plastic look than wave one.  Other than that, body sculpts are the same, as are the proton packs.  As a bonus for having to rebuy 80% reused parts, we get a blast stream for each Buster and a signature accessory.  Peter gets some Zener cards, Ray gets Tobin’s Spirit Guide, and Winston gets…a gag version of his newspaper want ads from 1984?  Poor guy…could have at least thrown in a couple of smoking traps or a Twinkie.

The Junior Ghostbusters join the fray to round out a six-figure set:  Trevor, Lucky, and Podcast.  They all have unique, kid-body sculpts with notable aesthetic differences.  Different shoes, cuffs, name tags…and their own accessories.

Trevor comes with a group of Mini-Pufts tethered together on a ribbon cable.  This effect looks great, making them look as if they are scaling the proton pack.  They are unpainted, which does detract from the fun just a bit.  He also has an old, paper map that looks to be Shandorian in nature.  

  

Lucky comes with the RC ghost trap.  It’s lacking some paint detail, but it rolls real good.  She is the only kid figure to have a blast stream…and a unique one at that.  It’s purple, rather than blue.  Will the movie explain this?  Is this a new power-up/modification of sorts?  

Podcast is probably the best of the lot, if only for the diminutive size of the figure.  He does not have a proton pack, but has the RC trap remote, upgraded Ecto-goggles, single Mini-Puft, and two “marshmallow goo” attachments.  He also has the Aztec Ghost/Death Whistle that fits onto his belt.  Have you heard those things?  Spooky!

True to the Marvel Legends standard for action figures, each figure in the wave comes with a larger build-a-figure part.  The Sentinel Terror Dog has already appeared in some of the trailers, but in more of a ghostly mist form.  Here he appears to be a biped terror dog with larger horns, standing 7-8 feet tall.

He looks neat, to be sure, but calling this an “action” figure is a stretch.  His articulation set-up is extremely limiting/lacking.  He’s like a reject from the late 90s trying to escape the standard five-point articulation scheme, but not really knowing how to do it or how far to go.  No elbow or knee joints.  Weird swivel cuts.  Best thing about him is the ball-jointed head and hinged jaw.  Other than that, he’s pretty statuesque.  Making things worse is the partial translucent plastic showing off his inner workings.  Sigh…It’s sad that this may be the only ghost we’re getting for this line and they skimped on the tooling.

Where’s Muncher?  Slimer is surely in this somewhere…we don’t even have him in the 1984 wave!  Most puzzling is the whereabouts of the Phoebe figure.  The literal poster child for a movie about to be released and we have no word yet on how they intend to get her out there.  I have a couple of hopes for this.  One:  (long shot) they are holding her back to be released with a 6-inch scale Ecto-1.  Two:  they are holding her back to be released in a two-pack with the (longer shot?) ghost of Egon Spengler.  Of course, this could all be Hasblow oversight and it may 1) never be produced depending on the success of the movie or 2) be a dreaded San Diego Comic-Con exclusive a good nine months after the movie has cooled off.  Haven’t we had enough uncertainties with this franchise already?  Time will tell…but I really hope this isn’t the end of Ghostbusters.

Take a look back at the first wave of Plasma Series figures, it’s exclusive set, and it’s out-of-scale car:

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2020/06/ghostbusters-plasma-series.html

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2020/11/louis-tullys-terrible-night.html

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2021/02/plasma-series-ecto-1.html