Matchbox Monday (re-)births the first half of Jurassics

Has anybody seen the new Jurassic World Rebirth film? I have. I am a big fan of the Jurassic series of films, and was eagerly waiting to watch the new one. I enjoyed it. Having started picking up the Matchbox models, I also kept a close eye on things to see where the new ones would show up. Yes, they were in there. Of course, there are only 3 new castings. All of them are of made specifically for the film, as is usually the case. The first one pops up here. The other 2 are in the second batch, which I will cover later on. But, as this is also including a number of 5-packs, I should get on with things.

There is no number system for the models, so I have simply done these alphabetically, which means I begin with the MB1128 '93 Ford Explorer. This is the iconic vehicle from the first film. However, knowing what is coming in batch B, I have to say, I am a bit sad over this one. We have 04 and 05, and this is the 05, which debuted in the first proper Jurassic World series back in 2018. 

It sports the well known green over yellow design, with red blotches all over.

Plus, as was custom-made for the film, the model comes with a huge viewing window in the roof. I know this is an icon. But, it was sold in the 2018 series, as part of the Legacy Collection, then was added to the 2019 series in both single and 5-pack form. And now we get it again. As I said, knowing what is coming in batch B, I would have loved for them to do both 04 and 05 in the alternate look. So, I am giving this a 3 out of 10.

Its saving grace being that it is in a bit of a darker green than I have seen before. I do love a shade.

This is another classic. The MB1120 Hummer with front bumper. Based on the older MB256, but with no gun and the bumper added, it first appeared in the 2019 series. 

It comes in dark matte green, and features the InGen livery on the side. I don't know why they never modified the vehicle into ones used in "The Lost World: Jurassic Park", the second film of the franchise. One had the rear end removed and a guard rail added. The other (Snagger, as it was known) had a roll-out seat (something they may not have been able to do) and a cage in the back for shooting out of. But, I do think it was something they missed opportunities with, in creating more Jurassic themed models.

As it is, It is not bad. I just wish they had done more with the Hummer. I am giving it a 5 as well, as this was also used as a single and 5-pack release in 2019, used again in 2022's Dominion release, and again now. It scored higher than the Explorer, because coming up with alternatives would have meant casting changes. Not just an alternate colour. 

As before, I bring in older ones to compare. 

The newest run, on the left for these 2 has a darker green base than earlier issues, with a  lighter, more yellowy green base. 

The shade of matte green body is fractional. 

We now move on to the only new casting in this batch. The MB1550 Off-Road InGen Vehicle. It comes in tan, with black and red accents to the model. 

These frames are from the film itself. They show the real vehicle, which was sitting by a fuel station on the island of Ile Saint-Hubert in the film. Martin Krebs used the vehicle to escape Distortus Rex. I won't add any further spoilers for those who haven't seen the film yet. But, you can see that this vehicle was a unique vehicle, which was custom built specifically for the film. It is officially called the InGen Type 6 Utility Vehicle. I don't know why Matchbox didn't use the name. 

Garry Gopinath was tasked with creating the model of the vehicle. I think it was quite a challenge. The real vehicle is pretty unusual. But, he has done an amazing job. 

As you can see, the vehicle has a rear that overhangs towards the front. It is very sturdy. I think you would need to apply a lot of pressure to it to either bend or break it. Something which I think is quite important in this day and age. I do believe that was perhaps a bit of a challenge. 

As you can see, Garry left some items in the back. I have no idea if they are actually in the back. We never see in there in the film. I don't know why they love adding chainsaws to models. We have seen one in many Matchbox models. 

It is also very heavily tampo printed. The front end sees a lot of matte black tampo over the top and sides, as well as lights and additional detailing to the front edge.

With black and red wrapping around the back to the sides. Plus, that rear bed was also printed. This is a very faithful replica of the real vehicle, and I am amazed at how well it has come out. 

With a base, body, roll cage, window and interior, this even has 5 parts to the model. Something we don't often see, as they try and limit things to 4 items (not including axles, which if added extra on top of 2 would mean deleting one other part). So, this is a high spec model, made with extra parts, and heavily tampo printed. I cannot fault it in any way. Inclusion? An obvious 10. With so few real vehicles to choose from for this film, this one is a no-brainer. Casting? I am blown away by how well this has been recreated in miniature. Another 10. Design. Did you see the stills of the real one in the film?They have done so much tampo printing to replicate it that I am shocked. The usual 2 passes through the tampo machine went way out of the window. And the end result has no flaws of any kind. Another 10. A perfect score. Do I love the vehicle? To be honest, not particularly. After some of the other vehicles created for the various films, this is not the prettiest. But, it is unique, and I cannot argue how well the recreation has come out. 

I don't think it came out that well, but I did see the tan body does vary slightly between production runs (they run from U08 through U12 that I saw, although there is a possibility of a wider production window). 

The base of the model simply states InGen Vehicle. Honestly, 'Type 6 Utility' could have fitted in there very easily. Just move the MAN number to the side, turning it sideways in front of the rear axle, move the first copyright down a line, and boom. Extra space for adding the full name of the vehicle. And no, I am not marking it down simply because they shortened the name. 

Oh, I say. This is definitely my favourite model of the batch. The MB1127 Jeep Wrangler with roll cage. Sometimes referred to as Jeep 18. It comes in a rather familiar looking green. 

I am so excited to see that they went there. Maybe it is because I have been watching too much of Marvel's What if...? TV series, and things like that. You know, alternate dimensions, different realities, things getting flipped. This is the Jeep we all know and love from the first film. But, instead of getting the design for the service vehicles, as the Jeeps did at the time. This got the look of the tour vehicles. 

Green with yellow and red tampo, along with the usual Jurassic Park livery. As you can see, it did keep the 18 in the livery. I think this is absolutely awesome! This gets an easy 10 from me. 

Which is, as I noted earlier, what I wanted the Ford Explorer 05 to be. I wanted that as a service vehicle look, because (spoiler alert), Explorer 04 gets the look in batch B. Why not 05? 

Can you see a shade to the green? Again, with a month or so of production, I did notice a slight variance between batches. Not big, like the Explorer was to previous outings, but enough for me to now have 2.

Hey, I can actually do a dive back here. The normal Jeep 18 is the one that has been released over and over. Let's see. We had the Legacy Collection single and 5-pack debut in 2018. Then, in 2019, it was both a single and 5-pack release in the Jurassic World series. For 2020, it actually popped up in the basic range as a way to keep the license alive. Mattel had to release some stuff in 2020 or they might have lost the license. They didn't in 2021, as it was agreed that because the Dominion film got delayed a year (thanks to Covid), they were granted a year off. It was then used in a 2022 5-pack, which came at the end of the year, stretching into 2023, and again in a 2024 5-pack. I am very happy that they didn't just use it again. 

Jeep 29 (with added mud) was also from 2018 (both as a single and 5-pack), but did not pop back up in 2019. It has only been used in a 2020 5-pack release since. 

Then there is a the rare error. When the first batch of Jurassic World: Legacy Collection was released, they accidentally put the 12 canopy variant on the roll bar version. Oops! Of course, this does make me think. What about 12? With the canopy. Or even 10? With the vet bags. Plus 29 as well. I would love to see them all in alternate green releases. I have no idea if they are planning on more Jurassic World releases in the future. I mean, there is currently no word yet on whether a follow up to Rebirth could happen? They said it was dependant on box office takings, and this has been a pretty big hit. It hasn't hit a billion dollars yet, but is getting there. There are murmurs that a follow up could appear, but no scripts have currently been prepared, or whether it would even be another stand along film, or a follow up to this one. But, could Matchbox do a few Jurassic models in 2026 as a way to keep the license active just in case? May I suggest more alternate Jeeps (and Ford Explorers). 

Because I honestly think this was a fantastic idea. 

Next up is the lovely MB1278 '18 Jeep Wrangler JL 2-door that Abe Lugo created for the Dominion film in 2022. It returns in the same look as it had that time.

Which, as we know, saw the BioSyn livery that was used in that film replicated on to the model. It was a light grey with black roof section. 

Seeing as this is only the second time the model has been used, I am still okay with it. However, not over the moon. I love the casting, and am seriously wondering why they are not using it outside of the Jurassic license? I see absolutely nothing about this that makes it Jurassic-specific. It looks just like the JL 4-door that does get used in other ranges. Except shorter, and only having 2 doors. I give it a 6, partly because I want to see it elsewhere. 

As i said, it was used once before. 3 years ago in the Dominion series. So, how different is the new release compared to the old one?

The newer one is on the right here. It is tough to name these, but I would call this a more creamier pale grey than the other one was. I don't know if people have other ideas over how to describe the shade variance. Now, who do I speak to, to get this casting put in the basic range?

Now, the other Jeep, the MB1272 '19 Jeep Gladiator, was modified for the film. As such, I can see how this will only see action within the Jurassic license. Alongside the JL 2-door, this was created by Abe Lugo for the Dominion film in 2022. It comes in tan, as was used in the film. 

The real vehicle was used in the film, with the main action coming when Ian Malcolm used one to escape the sanctuary and rescue Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler and Maisie Lockwood. You can see how the model was customised for film use. The packages on the rear, items on the top and various side implements, as well as a front window guard were not standard Gladiator equipment. So, I don't see how this can really be used elsewhere. 

It does appear to be very similar to how it came in 2022. Therefore, much like the other Jeep I just looked at, I am scoring this lower for returning. A 7 here, as it is slightly higher as I don't see any other options beyond the Jurassic license. The last Jeep lost a point for not getting any other uses. 

Now, when it first came out, I did spot a shade between production runs. Lighter or darker shades of tan. How does the new one compare?

It is on the left here. It appears lighter than both the 2 I had before. I have actually classified it as a yellowy tan. Again, if people have other ways of classifying the colour, feel free to let me know.

Hello. The MB1109 '14 Mercedes-Benz G-Class gets another outing, and yet another look. This is one of my favourite models out of all the Jurassic World models, purely because they keep coming up with new looks for it. And they all fit the Jurassic theme perfectly. As we know, there is an MB1195 '15 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which is pretty much the same, but without the front bumper guard. That gets used in other ranges. The bumper guard means Jurassic only. Yet, every time we get it, it appears in a new design. Awesome!

And, this one in cream, has a Camp Cretaceous livery on it. This is correct, as the animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous did see a G-Class outside of the raptor paddock. I remember mentioning to Abe at the time as to whether they would do some of the Camp Cretaceous models in future Jurassic outings. He said that was a good idea, but they hadn't got any planned at the time. I wonder if my little nugget of information remained in his head? Did I have a very minor part in seeing this? It would be really cool if I did. Because, being a bit of a Jurassic nerd, I have watched the entire Camp Cretaceous series, and am busy watching the follow-up, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory. Season 4 is due in November. Anyway, I am digressing. The model. I love it!

We see the side printed with the Camp Cretaceous logo, and the rear gets the lights depicted on the model, and the tri-star highlighted on the spare wheel. 

The front, behind the bumper guards, also gets a hit. And, yet again, I am seeing a shade between production runs. Lighter or darker cream looks. This is an easy 10 from me. I have to admit, when it comes to the new items being added to the series, they are absolutely amazing. They had little in the way of new items they could do, as the new film doesn't really add much in the way of new vehicles to replicate. But, they have done a stellar job in creating some other new looks on older vehicles. 

And, as I said, this one has seen a lot of outings. For starters, we had the 2018 debut in silver. Both as a single, and in a 5-pack.

It was also given a Battle Damage release, again both as a single and 5-pack release.

Then, we got our first alternate, as a matte black variant appeared in the last 5-pack of the year. 

Now, although both silver variants reappeared in 2019, when the model was next used in 2022, it now came in olive. 

And, now with the cream release, we have 5 different looks for this model. All in the Jurassic World license. So, they can do it. I wish they were able to add even more alternates to this range. 

Model number 8 in the batch is the MB1276 Rapids Rescue Copter. It first appeared in the Jurassic World: Dominion series in 2022. It is a helicopter made specifically for the film, modified from a Eurocopter EC135 (now known as am Airbus H135). 

However, being black and white, I saw absolutely no differences between the original release and the new one. So, this is me done with singles. But, wait, there were 9 released. I am missing one. This is because 1 of the 9 models was also released in the first batch of 3 5-packs as well. I thought it a bit pointless to buy the single and 5-pack, just to show a picture of the single in a pack. But, this means, I need to show the first batch of 5-packs as well. Right, here we go.

The first batch of 5-packs consist of 3 different assortments, each featuring 4 models and a dinosaur. There was a 4th pack, that briefly appeared at the start, which I will be covering when I run through batch B. This is because it has a slightly different feel to it. Now, as of the time when Mattel launched these, they have decided to move packaging names from the front bottom to....

The side flap. Left side as you look at the front of the pack. This pack is known as the Dinosaur Capture Team. 

Included in the pack are the MB1125 '97 Mercedes-Benz ML320, MB1120 Hummer with front bumper, MB1274 Speed Striker and MB1114 Armored Action Truck. We also see Blue, the velociraptor again. I noticed that all the dinos were the same ones as used in the 2022 5-pack releases. As much as I like Blue, and often use her on my Instagram posts, whenever I do anything Jurassic related, I am slightly sad to see the same dinosaurs that were used last time rolled out again. I mean, Mattel have released a 15-pack of mini dinosaurs. Included were 2 new atrociraptors, a new velociraptor, a dimetrodon, a gallimimus and a quetzalcoatlus that could all have been perfectly sized to fit in the packs. I am sure there are other mini dinosaurs that could have worked just as well. They have done a lot of mini dinosaurs. Why did we get the same old same old? But, I am lamenting the lack of new dinosaurs. But, in reality, I am here talking about the Matchbox. So, were any different? Did you know that each of these packs has a unique models in them? Some are subtle, with one being obvious.

In this pack, the unique model is the MB1120 Hummer with front bumper. This is because when it first appeared, back in 2018, it was the older MB987 casting with no front bumper. The bumpered one was only used on the later green release (which I reviewed already). It is really cool to see this one updated. 

Alongside this, the MB1125 '97 Mercedes-Benz ML320 comes with a bit more of a greenish hue than it did when it was originally sold in 2018, 2019 or 2022, oddly enough always in 5-packs. And here it is in a 5-pack again. Mind you, spoiler again, it comes in batch B singles, for a single pack debut. However, I would like to point out that this is Montoya. One of 3 different ML320s that were used in the "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" film (the 2nd in the franchise). At the time, Matchbox made models of Fontana (MB319) and Montoya (MB337), but these were different castings to this. They didn't make Santana at the time. When the new castings were created, they again did Montoya (here) and now Santana (with the cutaway rear). But have not done Fontana again. I wish that they did do it, and we have all 3. 

The MB1114 Armored Action Truck was also the same one that was seen in the 2022 5-packs. However, you can see the interior section (which forms the rear) is a completely different blue to before. The original one's blue plastic section was a close match to the metal body. I guess they wanted to make it stand out better. The MB1275 Speed Striker was identical to how it looked when it debuted in 2022 as a single.

The Rapid Getaway Unit 5-pack is up next. 

This features the MB1122 Jeep Wrangler with canopy, MB1550 Off Road InGen Vehicle in olive, MB444 Ford Panel Van in cream and MB1115 Off Road Rescue Rig in blue. We also get another outing for the orange atrociraptor. 

The new one here is pretty obvious. The MB1550 Off Road InGen Vehicle is a new casting for this series, and did not come in olive as a single release.

As we know, it was tan for a single release. The tan is the official look, but this gives us an alternative. I notice less tampo. Rear and sides only here. 

With nothing on the top of front like the single had. But, what I do like about it is the fact it is in olive.

Because we often see models sold as singles, and then given olive outings for 5-packs. The MB1272 '19 Jeep Gladiator saw that last time out in 2022. It's like a tradition, as both the Mercedes-Benz ML320s saw a similar outing. 

The MB444 Ford Panel Van was first used in the Dominion series in 2022 as well. However, although that saw either gold or brown wheels hubs, both of them were a darker cream. The new run only comes with gold wheel hubs, but is a much paler cream. 

The MB1115 Off Road Rescue Rig uses the same look as was found in a 2019 5-pack. However, the blue cab is a different shade now. The rest was a decent match. The MB1122 Jeep Wrangler with canopy was the same silver as was found in the 2018 5-pack release. I saw nothing different about it. 

The final 5-pack is called Adventure Seekers. 

This one features the MB1273 MBX Capture Action Truck (almost hidden in the top there), MB1272 '19 Jeep Gladiator, MB1128 '93 Ford Explorer and MB1112 Gyrosphere. We also have another dilophosaurus added in as an extra. 

You may have missed the exclusive model, as it is very subtle. The MB1272 '19 Jeep Gladiator has additional tampo printing on the 5-pack release than it had as a single. Did you notice that? Placing them with each other, it becomes obvious. But, at first glance, it could have been easily overlooked. 

The MBX Capture Action Truck was another of the 2022 Dominion debuts. This light brown variant was part of the 5-packs that year, and is again a 5-pack issue. It is also a different shade of light brown. 

And, if you remember right at the beginning of the report, Ford Explorer 05 is now a darker shade of green than it was before. Well, this is Explorer 04. And, yes, this is also a darker green than it was before. 

Which brings us to the last model. The MB1112 Gyrosphere. This was the 9th model sold as a single. But, it's also in the 5-packs. So, I did not feel the need to buy a single as well. It felt pointless. Any change would be across both. And there was. 2018 single and 5-pack, 2019 single and 5-pack, 2022 single and 2024 5-pack releases have seen many Gyrospheres out there. However, this latest release appears to have a lighter blue rim around the edge of the side section. Yes, finally, something different. It has stayed pretty consistent throughout its last 4 outings. So, I am happy to have the new one, but even happier to have ignored getting it as both a single and 5-pack release.

And, on that note, I think I am done with my review of batch A Jurassic. When I come to batch B, it will be an even longer report. I have already done the photos, and they will be coming up next month. I went a little long. So be prepared. For now, I am very happy with the 3 new castings. 

A little "meh" about the other 6. When you keep seeing the same stuff over and over, it does get a little tougher to find reasons to keep them (unless you like package artwork). 

So, as these head off, next week, I will be returning to what I started last week. Plus, keep an eye on the Lamley Group page, as the Leipzig Convention is looming. If you remember the last few years, Dirk has auctions coming in and out of the event. Well, this coming weekend, festivities will begin. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.