Top Gun: Maverick - Part Two

 Top Gun:  Maverick - Part Two

Matchbox Skybusters

Of all the things delayed by the pandemic, Top Gun:  Maverick is the last out of the gate.  It's so weird that it's been two years since toys and merch for this movie hit shelves...and then disappeared.  My first review was for standard 1:64 scale vehicle multipacks.  These were mostly random cars/trucks that may or may not be featured in the movie and only two jets.  Well I'm glad I was slow in getting around to reviewing these slightly larger "Skybusters" series jets, as it gives me something to talk about in conjunction with the film's late release.   And we've got an aircraft carrier playset to boot!

Most of these are from the new movie.  The "classic" Grumman F-14 Tomcat gets a double-dip.  One is decked out with "Maverick" and "Goose" nicely detailed near the canopy.  The other details the sad fate of dated/retired technology...an F-14 now flying enemy colors.  Unnamed enemy colors, as not to upset any of our political bedfellows or, more importantly, hypocritical "communist/terrorist" moviegoing nations.  According to Wikipedia, Iran was the only foreign customer for the Tomcat.  Iran?!  How big could the box office take from Iran be to have to tiptoe around this?!  That aircraft carrier was stationed in the Indian Ocean...they sure as hell weren't fighting enemy African or Australian Air Force craft!  

There is a more modern "enemy MiG" in the mix:  "Enemy Strike Jet."  I assume its based on a real model of aircraft, but that's all the detail we get.  It certainly does look imposing in size and color scheme, and some sort of red eagle/falcon insignia.  Red bird of prey...ooo, scary!  (but inoffensive) 

The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet took over for the Tomcat.  I guess these are standard for the new Top Gun program.  It appears that each pilot gets their own unique paint job.  The two in this group have Maverick in blue and black, and "Rooster" ('Cuz "Goose" was a silly name, Dad) in red and black.  They're zippy single pilot jets, which should suit Maverick's solo lifestyle better, and ensure at least one less canopy ejection accident. (*sniffle* Goooooooose!)

When Maverick really wants to fly solo, the new movie trailers show he does it in this North American P-51 Mustang.  That's old-school, WWII/Korean War figthin'...or racing....whatever suits your fancy.  Again, there is some nice detail on the tiny script here and there.

I'm not sure who gets to fly the F-35B Lightning II, but I bet she's a fast one.  A lil bit beefier and not as colorful as the Hornets, it's a bit "blah."  Guess I have to see it in action to make full judgement.

Maverick also gets to cut loose in a fictional, hypersonic jet called "Darkstar".  It kinda looks like a futuristic Lockheed Martin.  Supposedly, the full-sized mock up of the Darkstar got China's panties in a bunch, as Navy intelligence noted a Chinese satellite breaking course to photograph the movie-made fighter.  I can only assume now that China demanded reshoots in order for Top Gun: Maverick to be shown in their country:  must include a scene with a popular Chinese actress explaining to Tom Cruise the "technologically and scientifically superior design of this Chinese made aircraft."  And people wonder why some get all sentimental and nostalgic for the 1980s...

The aircraft carrier playset  comes packed with another "Maverick" Hornet and a few play features.  The deck has an expandable section to maximize the display area.  As you can see, eight aircraft fit with room to spare...even if that makes it a little dangerous for takeoff and landing.  

There is an elevator to raise jets from the storage area, a two missile firing turret, and a command tower for court marital-able fly-bys.  

It also acts as a storage/carrying case to pack and play at your location of choosing...though I wouldn't stray too far from the Indian Ocean if keeping an eye on the more volatile areas of the globe.

I haven't really been looking to see if there are any rereleases or updates to this line, since I got most of what was put out way back when.  There are apparently a few more that either got held back, or got dumped somewhere else.  In particular, a Navy helicopter and a couple more color/pilot variant Super Hornets.  I was able to track down a "Then and Now" multipack on Amazon, which I had to suffer three repacks to get one redcoed Tomcat with "Iceman" and "Slider" below the canopy.  

Oh, another "Top Gun" related pick-up since last time:

These are fun, if you can find them.  I think they were $3.97 each?  You don't get total die-cast metal, or retractable landing gear, or opening wings for the Tomcats, but the price still fits the size and most of the detail.

Take a trip back in time, before face masks, food hoarding, and fear mongering:

Top Gun die-cast Part One

Elvis’ 55 Cadillac

Elvis’ 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 

Jada Toys

The Batmobile, Ecto-1, Elvis’ Pink Cadillac...wait, what?  What I have I gotten into now?  Technically, I’ve already taken the bait from Jada Toys’ Hollywood Rides line.  So what’s the harm in expanding my pop culture wheels with one of the most iconic rides in rock and roll? 

I respect the King.  Ive been to Graceland.  I’ve seen the 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood in all it’s glory.  Ride eternal, shiny and chrome indeed!  It’s quite a sight to behold.  (As is the entire building devoted to his cars and recreational vehicles!) And it’s shrunk down counterpart here is no different...just in an affordable, 1:24 scale!

It’s bright.  It’s shiny.  It’s got all the right lines, curves, and details.  Plus, it rolls like a dream.

The driver and passenger side doors open, and you can pop the hood to get a good look at the engine. Like the Jada Ecto-1, it’s spacious enough inside to fit some micro figures like Minimates.  “Hey, there goes Elvis!  Yo, King!!”

Also included is a miniature Elvis figurine.  Totally classic Americana with the white jacket.  While the box advertises a “die-cast” metal, that’s only about 70% true.  While the legs and torso are all metal, his head, arms, and microphone are a flexible plastic.  It’s probably for the best.  It is fairly detailed for a tiny figure, which may have been hard to produced any other way.  

I found this set at Target for about $20.  Jada is really aping the competition with heir cheap yet highly detailed autos.  Hot Wheels is getting left in the dust here.  They also have Elvis’ purple 1956 Eldorado available with an alternate figurine.  I dig ‘em.  You can take ‘em or leave ‘em.  Just don’t you step on my blue suede shoes.

Check out these previous Jada Hollywood Rides reviews:

1989 Batmobile

Ecto-1

The Bluesmobile

The Bluesmobile

Greenlight Hollywood -1:64 scale

It's got a cop motor, a 440-cubic-inch plant. It's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas.  All this and more in 1:64 scale from Greenlight Hollywood.  What do you say? Is it the new Bluesmobile or what?

I'll say it is!  This new take leaves all previous efforts (like the ones in the late 90's from Johnny Lightning) in the dust.  Just look at those details!  The scratching and fading on the police decals.  The tiny but clear, readable print.  The dirty, faded paint job.  I mean, how about those little license plates?!

It even has a bonus feature that I haven't seen on most movie cars...an opening hood to show off the engine.  Car's got a lot of pickup!

If you're a fan of the Blues Brothers and detailed die-cast replicas, this is the tiny Bluesmobile for you.  Oh, but...fix the cigarette lighter.

Get your very own Bluesmobile for under $10

Ecto-1

Ecto-1

1:24 Scale Die-Cast Metal

Jada Toys

For whatever reason, Ray...call it rights issues with Cadillac, call it price negotiation, call it scaling...the Ghostbusters' ride, Ecto-1, has not had a release that scales well with figures outside of the original Kenner line.  Mattel tried to rape our fandom with a crowdfund.  Diamond Select has been a holdout on for their expansive Minimates line and their 7-inch line (so far.)  C'mon, Diamond...even ugly, ugly Funko made an Ecto for their ugly, ugly Pops.  After many years of waiting...everybody can relax, I found the car!   Jada Toys made a car that scales with Minimates pretty darn well!

And it's pretty darn detailed, too!  It features opening driver, passenger, and cargo doors and you can even take a look under the hood.  For as tiny as it is, the roof rack gizmos and doodads are as good as any model kit.  But  better than a model, the bulk of the car is durable metal and ready to roll.  

You can cram Minimates into the front seat with a little patience, but it really works best if you pop off their lower halves.  The back cargo can fit at least three of the removable proton packs easily.  

This is a pretty large, metal car with a lot of value for $20.  Jada is kicking Hot Wheels' butt with offerings like this and my 89 Batmobile.  If your're a Ghostbusters, car, or model enthusiast, this is definitely worth picking up.  I would like to see them tackle Ecto-1a and the car in it's original black, in-desperate-need-of-repair-form.  

Mini Metal Macho Man

Mini Metal Macho Man

Jada Toys - Nano Metalfigs

If you have checked the toy aisle of your local Wal-mart recently, you might have seen Jada Toys' multi-property, nano-metal figurines.  They've got Disney, DC comics, Marvel comics, Harry Potter,  Street Fighter and WWE.  These figures are all metal,  2-inches high, $0.97 each...and there are a lot of them right out of the gate!  As a Macho Man fan, I couldn't resist picking this one up.    This guy had a scuffed-up nose and chin, in-package. Oh well...I bought another one mint in package.  At that price, I might just buy all the Macho Men!  Oh yeeeeeeeeah!  The Madness is still running wild...just in smaller doses!