Matchbox Monday oddly starts the Movie singles

Movie mania is amping up. Well, it is for me. Some will not be so fussed, as they may not have access to things on Apple TV. Am I gutted that this is not getting a cinema release first? Sure. I would have loved for this to have been on the big screen. Further spread the Matchbox brand awareness. Of course, after the success of the Barbie film, we could have expected all the Mattel films to go to cinema first. It was a huge success. However, the second film, Masters of the Universe, did not do well at the box office. But, it is now on streaming platforms, and it is blowing up! Maybe the streaming route is the way to go? I do not know. We will have to see when Matchbox: The Movie arrives. Being on Apple TV is a little bit of a worry. It is not one of the biggest players. It is well known. But, it is no Netflix or Amazon. I am still hopeful. I hope word of mouth gets out. I hope the film gets great reviews. I hope we get a sequel! Ha ha! But, most of all, I hope that this helps to propel the Matchbox brand back into the limelight. Particularly here in it's "home", as I go into stores in the UK, and still see barely any Matchbox product. I was so hoping for a movie related promotion. But, end of August? Nothing. Sigh. Luckily, the Wheel Collectors are very helpful, and send me over so many Matchbox goodies. The Movie singles consist of 12 models, which is too much for me to do in one go. So, I split it into 2 halves. However, this week, I am going to run through all the odd numbers. Next month, I will run through the evens. So, let's get on with it.

Some of the models I have been sent have appeared in all 3 formats. The long card, the short card, and power grab box. However, while the singles have been sold in both long and short card by assortment, the power grabs appear to be interspersed with later basic range assortments only. Batches K and L (the 9th and 10th assortments) are seeing some of the movie models mixed in with the regular assortments. But, not all the movie models. Batch K saw 4 of the models, and L saw it nudge up to 7, which did include the original 4. This is being replicated across all ranges. Collectors and Moving Parts were originally sold as a unique set, but then got mixed in with later assortments of regular issues. Working Rigs and Skybusters only had a few movie related issues, so have simply been mixed in with regular assortments. 

It appears that short card runs were done first. These were dated V08, so were actually produced in late February! Wow! That was quite early. 

Long cards were produced next. V11. So, that is mid-March. 

Later runs in assortments can spread into the 20s. This particular power grab box is dated V22. That is the start of June. This does mean I have possibilities to check for variations as I do this. I do enjoy checking for shades!

So, we start with number 1 of 12. The brand new MB1631 '07 Land Rover Defender 6x6. As we know, the Landie does appear to be one of the main featured vehicles in the film. It was included in the poster, and has played key parts in the trailer. 

A shot from the movie. Oh yes, I am feeling it. 

The one thing I am not so keen on is all the duplication. We are seeing a number of castings in both basic trim and Moving Parts trim. I know some like to see models in both ranges, and although I am usually dead against it, I do wonder how many vehicles were in the movie that they could make models of? I am counting 22. And then we get 5 of them doubled up with both moving parts and basic castings. A few of them were in one tool bank, and added to the other. The others, like this Landie, have been created from scratch with both opening features and without. Usually, I would be all over them for doing the same casting twice. But, with this being one of the major vehicles in the film, I sort of see why this really should be in both ranges. I am more accepting this time. 

Now, while the alternate casting had an opening bonnet, or hood if you are reading in the USA, this one features a much more prominent plastic pipe section rolling over the top. You might have noticed the still from the film showing the real one has this pipework over it. While the other casting had it cast within the model, and looking very thin, this one is much thicker, and prominent. 

It slots in at the front, so you can detach and lift it up. I am not 100% sure if it can be removed entirely. I did attempt to pop it off at the rear, where is slots inside the rear box, but did not want to force it, and potentially break it. If you have managed to detach it, please let me know.

For now, I am clicking it back in place. I understand why this was made like this. It is a core range model. They will not be able to properly enhance the pipework by tampo printing. A premium look can enhance the pipework with black lines, but this gets a plastic attachment. And I guess it would need to be this thick for legal and safety reasons. 

The casting has been expertly captured, and I am loving the way that they use the interior/bed section to make those wheel arches. Just like the real one. This was very well made. The front end was very well detailed under the pipes, and we also see door handles depicted on the sides. 

The rear sees just a light touch, with lights depicted. I think, for a core model, this is about as much as they could have done. You can see why we did not see black tampo lines for pipes all over it. It would have been too much, and I understand they still have a budget to stick to. 

Now, I did preview the MB1633 Land Rover 6x6 (it never mentioned it was a Defender on the Moving Parts version) a few weeks back. So, let's bring it back for a little side by side. As you can see, the size has stayed the same. 

That one did feature the pipiework cast into the body, and as such, was able to also add the snorkel. I did notice that the boxes in the rear are slightly different between the 2 castings. Is that important? Not really. I guess that 2 different people created these 2 castings. 

So you will find small differences between the 2. I am not going to complain about minor differences. Different people will create things slightly different. Both look good. And being the same size is a major plus. They can fit side by side and not look weird. 

Officially, there are 2 variants on the basic. The single issue, and then if you were to buy the Heroes 5-pack, it contains 5 models pulled from the single series, but the Landie has added mud splashes. So, it is a unique variant in the 5-pack. It is a shame, as the Villain Pursuit 5-pack has all exclusive vehicles. And one of those has a bed variation. This is why it appears that the Villain Pursuit pack is tough to find, and the Heroes pack is not selling as fast. 

Oh, and if you were wondering, did I find anything in the different production runs? The answer is yes. It is not a big one, but the earlier runs appear to be a little more of a creamy tan, with the later power grabs box issue being a little bit more of a yellowish tan. It is not a major change, but enough for me to now have 2. 

so, as I finish with a base shot, how do I score this? Hmm! Inclusion. As much as I usually go really low for a model in basics and Moving Parts guises, as this is a major issue for the film, I am going to make an exception here. In a rare break from the norm, I am scoring this a 10 for inclusion. This is one of the main parts of the film advertising, so I can see why it was needed to be in both ranges. Mind you, I say both ranges, the Moving Parts one is technically only sold as a premium issue, but could be in the Moving Parts range if they wanted. I think they wanted to ensure to enhance the black pipes, so went premium with that one. Casting. Hmm! I don't think I can score low for the pipes being as thick as they are. I think they would not be able to make them thinner at this current time. Had this film been done 50 years ago, I bet they could have made them very thin. Safety concerns evolve over time, and what was once deemed okay is no longer acceptable. Just think, back in the 1970s, Lesney sold a Formula 5000 with Marlboro labels, and a Lotus Europa with JPS branding. Can you imagine them trying to add a cigarrette company logo to a model now. Yikes!

Another new casting, and another that is available in all 3 configurations. This is the MB1629 '20 Nissan GT-R Nismo. It comes in charcoal as number 3 in the series.

Well, this is one I was not overly keen to see. Why?

Well, the MB1258 '20 Nissan Nismo GT-R (R35) has already been seen in Moving Parts. Sure, this could play quite a big part in the movie. But, unlike the Landie, which has a few differences between basic and Moving Parts castings, this one appears to be identical. Except for the lack of an opening door. 

Honestly, these are almost identical in every way. A slightly less detailed front plastic section on the new one. The front lights may be fractionally different in size. But, these are extremely minor variations.

As you can see at the back, the rear spoiler is identical. Everything is. 

It's almost as if they took the original casting, and simply sealed the doors, filled in the gap in the window, and re-numbered it with a new MAN number. 

Which, technically, is actually the best way to do it. After all, this does mean they match perfectly. And because the original was such a fantastic casting, it does make the new one a fantastic casting as well. I cannot deny them that. 

And they have duplicated everything from the Moving Parts version over to the new casting for basics. 

Except they used a different wheel design. What's up with that? 5-spokes became double 10-spokes. I am not sure why they changed the wheel type. 

Aside from the front plastic section not getting a tampo print, this model is an exact duplicate of the one in Moving Parts. I am a little underwhelmed with it. 

So, how do I score this one? It's tough. I did give the Landie top marks, even though it was duplicated as well. But, that is because it appears to be a big role in the film for a vehicle. But, the Nissan? I did not see it in the trailer. I guess it is simply one of the random vehicles that gets used, and surely there could have been opportunities for a few more than what we had? As I said, there appears to be 22 different vehicles (some with a few configurations) created for the Movie series, spread across all ranges. I can't imagine that a film about Matchbox, even though it does appear to be an action movie, had only 22 notable vehicles across the whole film to work with. I will be watching and making notes. I bet there were others we could have had. The Landie I am giving a pass to, but others are not going to be as blessed. I am back to my usual ways. So, inclusion for this one is a 0. Yes, I am extremely happy with it in Moving Parts. But, I didn't want the same casting in basic as well. Don't get me wrong. As a model, I absolutely love it. It is gorgeous! But, we already have the 1 casting, so seeing another identical one just does not do it for me. Casting. Well, the original model gets a 10, so why wouldn't this? It is perfectly modelled. I cannot deny that, so a perfect 10. Design. Well, just like Moving Parts, why wouldn't this also get a 10? We know that Moving Parts does get a slightly enhanced tampo. As I said, this didn't get a Nissan badge on the front. That was the only enhancement, so it still gets top marks. The change of wheel is not important. After all, I do enjoy when they give us wheel variations. It is unusual, but not point-deducting unusual. So, that gives us a 20 out of 30. Not great. Especially for a model like this one. I am sure many will disagree with my assessment of inclusion. It is one of those grey areas. Some love getting basic and Moving Parts castings of the same vehicle. Others may be like I am, and hoping that we get more diversity in the castings. I am sure if 50 models from basic range being redone with an opening part on the model and run as Moving Parts, and seeing no different castings, people would think it was a little underwhelming. I know it is not likely to change, but I want as many different vehicles as I can. Sure, this movie is making it a bit awkward, but as I said, surely there was another model or 2 that could have been done in place of the Nissan. It is not the only one. Another is coming in this report. 

Oh, yeah, it is a new casting. Had this been the first new casting of the GT-R, I would have been drooling. I love the car. I love the casting. I would just want either a basic or Moving Parts. Not both. This one does not appear to have a power grabs release to date. I haven't seen the end of the year's assortments. 

Oh. I believe I am about to repeat myself. Number 5 in the series is another new casting. The MB1638 '19 Ram Ambulance. 

As we know, the MB1310 '19 Ram Ambulance has been in Moving Parts for a while now, and has already been reviewed in the Movie Moving Parts set. Yes, out of 4 Moving Parts models, 3 of them have had new basics created as well. I am surprised they didn't do the 4th one, as there is already a basic casting they could have used. I am happy they kept at just the one Ford GT40. So, a second Ram Ambulance in the same look as the one in Moving Parts. Okay, let's bring that one in. 

As we know, Moving Parts saw the Ram with opening rear doors. And, as you can see, the rear is sealed and left blank on the new casting. It is also created the alternate way round. The body is made of plastic (Moving Parts is metal).

Which means that this one has a metal base. I don't believe you can switch them, as there is a small change in the construction method between the 2. You can see a step in the base here, which doesn't appear on Moving Parts. 

You can see that there are a few differences between the 2 builds. One of the side lights is further back on the basic on the left. The interior forms the front wheel arch on the Moving Parts, but not in basic. The rear wheel arch is differently shaped as well. Minor changes, but changes none-the-less.

Although the biggest change is at the front. The basic has been created with a push bar. Something the Moving Parts model didn't have. Plus, the base forms the front of the basic, and the interior forms it on Moving Parts. You could also point out the chubby little wing mirrors on the basic. I mean, the Moving Parts ones barely reach far enough out to see past the box behind. But, those basic ones are showing nothing. The castings have been made to the same size/scale, which is good. There is a difference, which is not something that detracts. I quite like that they are not identical. It sort of helps with the duplication, being slightly different. Not wow different, but enough to not be underwhelmed. Can I just be whelmed? Ha ha! I use that as a joke, as whelmed and overwhelmed technically mean the exact same thing. Underwhelmed is therefore the opposite of both. But, I cannot think of another middle ground word to use. Meh!

So, as with the Moving Parts model, I assume this is a real look from the movie, so cannot argue with hit. Sure, it only gets the sides detailed, but this is a core basic as such, so I am not going to complain about the lack of front and rear detailing. 

So, let's score this one. Boy, these are tough. Inclusion. I am giving this one a 4. We have duplicated the Moving Parts model again, but they have tweaked it. It is not an exact duplicate. It is a slightly different variant of the real vehicle, so is not BAD bad. Does that make sense? The Nissan was an exact duplicate. Boring. This one is not. It's tweaked. Only slightly, but still tweaked. It still doesn't get a great score, but a tweak is better than nothing. Casting. Well, I have never been one to worry about metal or plastic as a body. Being a core basic casting, if this had not come this way round, I actually would have been surprised. This is expected. So, I am not going to drop points. And I like the new front end. It sadly does dip a half point due to the stubby little wing mirrors. A 9.5 out of 10. Design. Yes, just like Moving Parts, I imagine this is the real look from the film. I was not really expecting front and rear printing. So, a perfect 10. Which scores this a 23.5 out of 30. It could have been worse. Had there been no Moving Parts model, this would have earned top scores in everything but the casting, so it was good. It is simply me not being a fan of the basics and Moving Parts duplication. 

And now we move on to the models that have already been seen. Number 7 in the series is the MB1596 '68 Ford Mustang Fastback. Another that has seen a power grabs release on top of the long/short card releases. 

When this model first appeared last year, I do remember questioning whether they could have tinkered with the old MB298 '68 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet. Why make a whole new casting of pretty much the same vehicle. But, now I am looking back, I am seeing things. The new casting debuted last year, but a certain Polestar 5 was due. However, that got delayed until this year. The Mustang has the MB1596 MAN number, which is slap bang in the middle of all the 2026 new castings. And we have a '68 Ford Mustang Fastback in the film. Hmm! It appears that they were busy creating the casting for the film, and then switched it with the Polestar because it was ready to go. The standard Fastback is a little different to the Cobra Jet, and obviously if the film was just using a standard Fastback, it would have been wrong to use the Cobra Jet casting. So, in hindsight, this was a very logical casting to add. As we know, filming took place quite a while ago, so the Matchbox guys have known for a long time what castings they needed to create. So, this was created for the movie, but being done so far in advance, got bumped to an early debut, and already has had a second basic outing before the movie. And now we get this gorgeous dark green. With stripes! It also gets a chrome interior, which runs through to the bumpers. And we also have lights, and the Mustang badging on the side detailed. 

And look at the rear. Ooh! This is gorgeous! We have seen the model in the film trailer. It will be getting a lot of damage. You may or may not know, but Mattel Creations will be coming up with a new casting of a destroyed '68 Ford Mustang Fastback. Yes, it has had the roof ripped off. Is that a spoiler for the film? And, you may also have missed, a scratched up variant of this Mustang is also available. But that one will cost you. It is exclusive to the Mountain Helicopter Chase playset. I have one being shipped over from the USA as we speak. I am not missing out on the scratched model. The playset would be the biggest one, though. Typical. Shipping? Don't ask! As I said at the start, the UK is ignoring the Movie stuff so far. I wish I could have wandered into a local store and just picked up the set. But, if you want the scratched up variant, you will need a large playset. If you want it one step further with no roof, you will need a Mattel Creations. Me?

I am already contemplating whether those 2 will also sport a shade variation? It is not easy to see in the picture, but one is darker than the other. Dark green becomes very dark green. I am loving this one. An easy 10 from me. I am very much looking forward to getting the damaged and very damaged variants. 

I am going to dive back again, as I always need very little reason to showcase my awesome pre-production sample, picked up at the 2025 Gathering in Albuquerque. 

And, of course, when it comes to releases, this latest green sports a small shade, but the debut? Whoa! That was a big shade on the blue that debuted late last year. 

And just look at the gold ones. This year's basic range outing did not disappoint for the shade variation collector. 

3 variations in, and all 3 have come up with shades. The new one is definitely the coolest of the 3. It is not just because of the stripes, but they help. This is definitely one of the stars of the set. 

Number 9 in the series is the MB1275 '86 Ford F-150. For this set, it comes in white with a burgundy side panel. I have also not seen this one appear in a power grabs box. 

This looks fantastic as well. I love the simple design. These panel sides were very common at the time, and obviously they used one in the film that looked like this. It did not see any printing on the rear. 

But, just look at that awesome front lights and badge design! Isn't it lovely. As you may remember, I only chatted about this model last week. 

Last week's blog report was about the Trucks set from Walmart, and how this one was a little sad to see with no front print. With all the enhancements seen on other Walmart models this year, this was definitely a surprise to see less than usual. And again, we are back to the front being detailed. Again, I wish that one had the front like this one. Because this release has an easy 10 from me. I love this casting, and the yellow one is the only one not to get top marks. I won't go through the older ones again. I only did it last week. I have a biggie to go through. 

The MB032 Excavator. Yes, MB032. This is exactly the sort of vehicle that should be in the series. This is an original Lesney casting. It is one of just a few that have survived this long. MB029 Tractor Shovel hasn't been used in over a decade, but still could come back. The MB743 Pony Trailer is still plugging away once in a while, albeit heavily modified. The MB058 Dump Truck turned into MB209 and then MB710, and still pops up occasionally. The MB8-A Ford Mustang was modified into the MB8-B Wildcat Dragster/MB23-C GT350, and then MB342 '65 Ford Mustang GT, and still continues. The MB062 Chevy Corvette was also MB097 Chevy Corvette T-roof, and that particular one soldiers on. The MB042 '57 Ford Thunderbird is still with us, and the MB068 Chevy Van was also MB102 4x4 Chevy Van, and then modified back into the standard MB709 Chevy Van. These are all Lesney castings originally, that are still in the current tool bank. You could include MB027 Swing Wing Jet, as it was recreated for Top Gun: Maverick. You could also include MB701 Blue Shark, as this is a recreation of the MB61-A Blue Shark. Anyway, I am going off track here. 

Although it is not easy to read, the base still has a 1980 copyright, but also a 2017 after it, as it was modified slightly when it returned from hiatus. But, it still retained the MB032 MAN number. 

I think the fact that we have an original Lesney casting in the current Movie series is an absolutely fantastic and inspired choice. This is really putting a smile on my face. And it comes in a gorgeous construction yellow with a simple black MBX design on it is amazing. 

The sides are detailed, and the rear also gets a little detailing. I am loving this one. I want to see this be the start of a new recurring theme. And they should pull out the MB029 Tractor Shovel and MB710 Dump Truck to continue it! What a perfect ending to this batch of 6. An easy 10 from me. And, well, I think I need to do a huge dive.

So, this model was copyrighted in 1980, and debuted in the basic range in the MB32 slot in 1981. 45 years ago! I bet this casting debuted before many people reading this were even born. But, here is the daftest aspect. It was going to replace The Londoner in the MB17 slot. But, 1981 was a bit of a last minute frenzy. Due to certain political issues at the time, a decision was made at the last second to delete all army vehicles from the range, reprieving certain castings from the chipping block, and causing many new castings to switch numbers. So The Londoner eked out an extra year, and the Field Gun casting was immediately removed from the range. The Excavator popped up in the MB32 slot and stayed in the range until 2000. Although the US market did briefly drop it from the range in 1988/89.  But, when it debuted, it was actually marked down on the casting as an Atlas Excavator. Yes, they actually made a model of the Atlas 1602/1702/1902 DTC Excavator.

As well as being on the base, Atlas was also cast in to the rear of the model. It debuted in 1981 in orange with a black or charcoal platform on the base section. 

And if you were wondering how long it was before they stopped calling it Atlas? Less than a year. Yes, early runs saw Atlas, but by the end of the year, it had all mentions of Atlas removed, with the rear simply seeing a grille instead. It is known to exist with and without Atlas on a black or charcoal platform, but only Atlas marked models are known to come in a lighter orange-red hue.

Atlas Excavator was wiped off the base, and Excavator was re-carved into it in a central position. I don't know why it happened. Perhaps Atlas were not happy with the model, and felt it was not good enough, so they just blanked it, and Atlas were okay with it? Who knows. This was Lesney, and things could have happened in a variety of ways with this one. 

In 1982, the model was recoloured to yellow, with slashes, a CAT logo and a black arm. However, by the end of the year, the CAT logo had been removed. They weren't doing too well with real brands on this one. 

It continued on unchanged until 1991 in the range. However, in 1983, production moved to Macau, where it continued until the factory closed down in 1990. During that time, we would see shades, and if you looked carefully, they would make minor adjustments to the casting. One of the easiest to see is the "step". Check the small section just under the door. On the left it is smooth. On the right, it is shaped. It was adjusted in 1988. 

Wait, 1988? That was the first time we saw something a little different. A special UK promotional JCB 4-pack was created, and the Excavator was given a unique look for the set. Daft fact, it was being produced during the change from raised to smooth side step. Both variants exist. I only have the 1 so far. 

However, the basic was still in production when Macau closed its doors, so they shipped the casting over to Thailand to finish off in later 1990 and 1991. 

In 1992, the model saw a radical change. The black slashes turned red, as did the bucket. This carried on through the 1994 model year. 

In 1995, it was given a new look. It was now red, and had side stripes and top slashes. However, later in the year, they knocked the top slashes off. 

And the model was introduced to its new high profile side venture. Being a 5-pack model. The Construction 5-pack saw it in fluorescent orange. 

1996 saw it continue in red with no roof slashes, but for 1997, it was turned into orange. The roof slashes returned. We also had a Gold Challenge issue in the USA. 

And in 1998, it was altered again. It was now green, but still using the same design as early 1995 and 1997. There are 2 here. Why?

During 1998, Mattel decided to switch production of Matchbox from the Thailand factory to China. So it got moved, mid-run. There is a few other variations I am still looking for, and in 1998, they created a plain ASAP blank in pumpkin, which I am still to find.

In 1999, the model was given 2 looks. For most of the world, we saw a white model with a rather muddy design on the model. However, another I am still to find is a German only orange with orange platform. 

In 2000, the model was turned yellow, but kept a very similar design. If you lived in the USA, you might have found 1 of 10,000 with Matchbox 2000 printed on the top. 

If you paid attention, in 2001, a sandcastle playset appeared with what appeared like some random models pulled from the basic range. However, if you looked closer you might have spotted a few changes with this one. 

The bucket on the front switched from grey to black, and the 4970 in the side design was a little more spaced out. 

And now we get back into 5-packs. The Construction Heroes 5-pack of 2001 saw it in silver with a rhino design. 

And in 2003, the 2001 5-pack was reissued with every model in the set in an alternate colour. This one now turned blue. 

And in 2006, it popped back up in another 5-pack, known as Construction Zone. 

And in 2008, the model would get 1 more outing in its original configuration. This was as a part of a Construction Kings DVD set. 

It then went on a hiatus for 10 years, finally returning in 2018 with a small tweak. The platform had been rebuilt in a new way that it was now a part of the base section. Plus, the bucket was now integrated into the arm, and turned over. 5-pack again! It was an Ocean Works pack, and the model was carried forward to a 2022 MBX Construction III 5-pack. 

For 2019, it was included in the MBX Construction 5-pack in INC blue.

With its last outing before this one being in the MBX Construction V 5-pack in 2014 in RANEC white. 

Which means that since the hiatus and facelift, we have only seen 4 outings for this one. No sign of the latest Matchbox Construction recurring theme yet. But, I do think it was an inspired decision to include this in the Movie series. 

Well, on that note, I think I am done with the first half of this set. We had 3 new castings. All 3 based on others with moving parts. I took different approaches to the inclusion of each one as well. Way to be inconsistent!

With another 3 based on existing castings (although, I swear the Mustang was technically made for the Movie, but just got an early start). 

So, as these head off to join the collection, I will say that I have the other half of these scheduled for some time in September. I do like to mix and match things as I go on. Next week, I "move" on to another batch of stuff. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.