If this figure looks familiar, it should. The Hybrid Tyrannosaurus Rex is a retooled Tyrannosaurus Rex [FOTD #1,180 from a year ago. At first glance it's more of the same, but it also costs a lot more. Hasbro plussed it up with a sound chip, pop-up spines on the back, and another pop-up crest on the head. Also a lot more paint. A lot more paint.
This is why I'm repeating it.
It's not the exact same mold as the old one - but it's very very similar. The teeth are basically the same, the skin texture is pretty much the same, but they had to cut new holes for the electronics, the speaker, and of course the spines. There's a big button on the back to activate the roars and spines, but it has been moved back a bit on the Hybrid releases. Much like the regular T-Rex, this one lacks the typical bleeding flesh wound - and oddly, I would have included one here. The speaker adds holes to the figure in the rib cage, and it'd be a perfect place to better hide the speaker while also adding some dimension to the wound. Ah well!
While the previous version was in brown, this one is mostly green. There's a weird, quasi-Carbon model painted on his neck and belly, giving him something of a faux science tattoo. The back of the figure is decorated more heavily as well, with a dusting of metallic gold. It's weird, it's unrealistic, but it's not like Hasbro is designing these for adult collectors - these are weird dinosaurs for kids, and they're awesome. Completely unrealistic, yes, but at least a mutant dinosaur can never be deemed scientifically inaccurate. It was born wrong, it will die wrong.
Once again, this one has jointed arms and legs, standing 6-inches tall at the top of the head and measuring 17-inches long from snout to tail. The speaker is nice and loud, and hte coloring looks more impressive than the original just because of the fact more places are painted. The little tiny arms are still jointed, as are the back legs. As play goes it's very similar to the original, but the new features are probably enough to warrant a double-dip if you can live with (or adore) the liberties they take with the design.
While the previous model could stand, it would dip over and fall given a few minutes to an hour. This one? You don't even get a minute. This figure demands to be propped up, so procure a stand or some good twigs, or lean his snout against the wall. He is not going to stand without some form of assistance, which is pretty upsetting to me. The added electronics don't help balance him one bit. Another knock against this one is its massive quantity of screw holes in the side. (Giggle away.) To get to the guts of this electronic toy, they added the classic metal fasteners and the non-electronic one lacks these. It won't kill the figure for you, but it doesn't really help it.
At the time I'm writing this, it's a little bit of a mystery as to how much of the Dino Hybrid line comes out. Much like Chaos Effect of old, a lot of product was shown - much of which isn't out yet. It's not unthinkable that some items may not be released, but it's impossible to know for how long. Or if at all. Along with the Owen figure and his bike, the Raptor, and this T-Rex is all that the line-up has given us so far. We know of at least 10 other toys shown - but with no solicitations, it's going to be a fun surprise to see if they come out. I hope so. With the last movie in the rear view mirror and the toys on the clearance racks, I am not super hopeful. For this reason, I'd say go run out and buy this or any Dino Hybrid-branded toy you see. Maybe I'm just being a worrywart, but I've seen a lot of cool lines end prematurely. Don't miss something nifty and weird if you can help it!
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