Matchbox Monday returns to the release of the rebirth of Jurassic World

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will know that the 7th instalment in the Jurassic film franchise came out this year. Whether this proves to be the final instalment remains to be seen. There are threads that could be built upon for future instalments, but it also has a sense of closure to it. Ever since Mattel took over the license for it, they have been bringing out a load of cool Matchbox products for it. Although, we do see a lot of the same models reappearing. Obviously, there is only so much they can do. Or is there? I look at batch B of the singles released for 2025, as well as the remaining 5-packs. 

Because, without any numbers to them, I am simply going alphabetically. This means I begin with the MB1128 '93 Ford Explorer (#4). This has been with us since the 2018 series, and this time, it gets an alternate look for the first time. 

And I love it! Seriously. The first batch saw the Jeep 18 switch to the tour vehicle look. And now we get a tour vehicle switching to support vehicle look. Whoever came up with this brilliant idea is a genius. 

The only thing is, I now want to see many other Jurassic models in alternate looks. And Explorer number 04 is the one that has been getting all the action. Poor 05 gets little usage outside of the regular release. This is an easy 10 from me. It is just so cool. 

As we know, the original look debuted back in the 2018 series, both as a single and a 5-pack outing. It was also brought back for the 2019 singles, and appeared in the first batch of 2025 5-packs. 

A clean version of 04 did not appear until the last major releases, as the 2022 Dominion film series saw this look. 

And, the same year, Mattel Creations gave us a high quality shiny 04. 

And, if we go further, 04 did end up getting chucked out of the paddock by the T-Rex in the first film, and a model of the wrecked Explorer MB1108 was also created in 2019. It also reappeared in the 2022 series. 

Then, there is the rarer one. Only released once. At the end of the 2019 5-pack outings, it was in the last set, and featured a brown mud base and wheel combo instead of black. This set was extremely difficult to find, and to date, this particular issue has never been brought back. 

Which gives us a vast array of Explorer 04s. Clean, muddy, wrecked, muddy wrecked, alternate and shiny. That is 6 different 04s. And we have 1x 05. 

Then, we get the fact that this alternate look brings it in line with the Jeep castings. MB1105 with vet bags, MB1122 with canvas top and MB1127 with roll bar. 

As we know, Jeep 18 (with roll bar) was given the alternate look in batch A, and this Explorer 04 in batch B is switched. I would love to see Jeep 10, Jeep 12, Jeep 29 and Explorer 05 also switched. But, why stop there? Get some of the other models and switch up colour schemes. The possibilities are out there. Mind you, will we see more Jurassic Matchbox content after this year? As I said, there is no news on them doing an 8th film yet. Will they phase out doing Jurassic toys, or attempt to keep it going a little longer? After all, Chaos Theory (the animated TV show) is finishing after season 4 debuts next month. The only new item coming is a pre-school Jurassic World: Explorers series at some time in the near future. The fuss surrounding the Jurassic stuff may die down, but kids still like dinosaurs. So, why not keep it going. Come up with fun alternates. I am game. 

Hmm! The MB967 Hardnoze. This is a bit of a surprise. Created by Fraser Campbell back in 2015, the Hardnoze debuted in the basic range and after 2 years, was quietly dropped. It didn't really have much in the way of a Jurassic theme to it, and I don't see anything in the film that was similar. But, they have given it a Jurassic themed design. Much like we saw with the original Jurassic World releases when they first got the license. 

So, this has been given an InGen themed look. The colour combination is very similar to the InGen Off Road Vehicle that appeared in the last batch. So, this is pretty realistic in terms of looking like it should appear in the series. But, was it really a good choice? I would have preferred more fun with alternate looks. 

As it is, I would score this a 5. The look is very Jurassic looking, so it was done well, but I really don't think they should have used this vehicle. It was pushing things a bit. But, it also leads me to another question. If we can shoe-horn a non-Jurassic model into the Jurassic series, why are we not getting more Jurassic models outside of the license? What happened to the 2 Kawasakis? Where is Textron Tiger?Why can't the Jeep JL 2-door see external uses? Some may be tough. The ML320s are very Jurassic unique. The Unimog with cage could be tough to see in other outings. But, I do believe some castings could have been given non-Jurassic looks and worked. 

But, as I have this casting out, let's do a dive back. As I said, it debuted in 2015. It was yellow in year 1. 

It then turned red in 2016 for its second basic range release. Sadly, both were peg-warmers, and it was noted, hence them dropping it from the range after. 

Although, weirdly, this is not its only 2025 release. It was in the MBX Airport II 5-pack at the start of the year. Multipacks are where it works best. It's not the worst vehicle they have created, but it is not a massive seller on its own. 

In the space of less than a year, the amount of these has doubled. Wow! I was not expecting that. 

Next up, the first of 2 new castings in the batch. The MB1552 InGen Helicopter. It appears in grey and blue in the series. 

I have to admit, the size of this is pretty small. But, it does look realistic. I am surprised they went with this. That's because this is a replica, sort of, the helicopter that took everybody to the first island in the first Jurassic Park film. 

N293G, the registration for an Agusta A-109A helicopter, that ferried John Hammond and everybody to Isla Nublar. I wonder why they did not pursue the real one?

Although N293G was used on the Agusta A109-A that Henry Hammond used to ferry the people into the island at the start of the first film, in the first part of the newest film, set in the past, we saw another Agusta A109-A, but it was not the same N293G model. That one was N90CE. So, it appears they went with the classic, not the latest one. It had the same colour scheme, but just a different set of number on it.

So, the helicopter is not an official replica of the one used in the new film, or the first film. Just a generic similar model. It is small. It has a rear blade that is cast into the side of the model as well. Sure, it is tampo printed, but it doesn't spin around. It doesn't have a lot of parts to it. I am sure they could have had this as an additional piece. It is a shame. 

And this thing is extremely thin. Is that important? Yes. 

Because, when you turn it over, you see that the wheels are simply a part of the base section. But, look how far apart the 2 at the rear are. What does this mean?

It likes toppling over. It has a precarious sense of balance. It's not good. Admittedly, I am not the biggest flying vehicle fan. Planes and helicopters are not my thing. Hence me not collecting Skybusters. But, occasionally, we do get one in the miniature range, and I can live with them. As long as they were decent. And, I have to be honest, I don't think this one is. 

As a visual representation of a helicopter, I do believe the silhouette is what is needs to be. The shape is right. The details being added are decent. It is not goofy looking or anything. But, it should have been made wider. That way, it would have had a better base for balancing. 

So, how do I score this? Inclusion. A 4. Yes, a helicopter was used in the first film. Not exactly this helicopter, but a close proximity of the helicopter was there. Casting. A 2. I really don't feel this captures it well. Too thin, too few parts, and too small. I know the real one is quite thin, but they didn't do the real one. The model should have been a bit wider so it has a decent sense of balance when you put it down. Design. I do like the silver and blue InGen look. This is a proper design as used in the original Jurassic Park film, so in that sense, it does get a 10. I am impressed with that look. But, why go with a helicopter design from Jurassic Park, and not the one from Jurassic World: Rebirth? It makes no sense. In the early days, we were getting a lot of "legacy" models, but now I would have thought they would be sticking with vehicles from the current film. Sure, the new film used the same helicopter as the first Jurassic Park, as a sense of continuity, but the classic is the one chosen here, not the latest one. Yeah, I know it is only a frame number, but it is still the difference between classic and modern. 

The 4th model in the set is MB1127 Jeep 18. Which I am quite surprised with. After all, Jeep 18 was given an alternate look in batch A. Why didn't they bring us the Jeep with vet bags again? And they could have done that with the alternate look. That would have been amazing. 

Because Jeep 18 has been done many, MANY times already in standard guise. It was in the 2018 Legacy Collection single and 5-pack. It was brought back in 2019 for both single and 5-pack. In 2020, it was actually in the basic range. 2022 saw it in a 5-pack again. And in 2024! That means, if you like packaging, you will already own 7 of them! This is release number 8 for Jeep 18. Yet, the one with the vet bags was given a 2019 outing with mud, and also a Jeep Walmart series issue without mud. Then it appeared in 2022 with mud. That's it. So few compared to Jeep 18. 

I have found some minor shades to the paint, and also the wheel hubs over the years. But, I could not see anything different about the new release. Unless you like packaging. 

Ooh! Another good one. I watched Camp Cretaceous. When I saw them use the MB1056 Mercedes-Benz G63 6x6 AMG in the series, I was really hoping that we would get a model of it. I thought the time had passed, but no. They got it here. 

This was how the vehicle looked in the series. Sure, it was an animated series, but this look is unmistakable. And I am so happy to see it in miniature. It is covered in mud. I would love to see a clean version as well. The grey with red striping is very similar to the Jeep models that I have just shown. But, this also sports a Camp Cretaceous logo on the doors. Something that was also shown in the series. 

It even managed to get front and rear detailing as well. I am seriously impressed with this one. It is definitely right up there with the alternate Explorer 04. An easy 10 from me. I think a dive is in order again. 

MB1056 has been cleverly created with an interior piece that can be included, but left out if they were using it in a core range. However, when it debuted, it was the 2017 Toy Fair model in September 2016, and saw an interior seen through the pale blue window. 

But, the 2017 debut in pale grey in the basic range, saw the interior section omitted. But, with blacked out windows, you cannot tell. You can tell if there is a shade to the grey, though. 

Later that year, Dirk Schleuer chose the model to be the Leipzig promotional. This was the first year of the multi-vehicle outing. We saw 3 different variants for the show, convention and early bird. These were premium. Blue windows you can see through again. 

2018 saw a metallic grey basic range outing. Blacked out windows hiding the lack of interior again. 

It was also a part of a Walmart Mercedes-Benz set in yellow. Shades could be found on this one. Again, black windows for core outing. 

And, because the real vehicle was used, we saw a Jurassic World release in the 2018 series, and repeated in a 2019 5-pack. 

2019 saw a lovely red basic range outing. 

However, if you were in the USA, and you visited Target at just the right time, you might have been luck to see a Superfast 50th Anniversary special mixed in with the basics Although this was technically a core release, it was given a slightly premium treatment, which meant is had windows you could see through, and an interior added. 

And the 2019 Jurassic World singles saw the earlier Jurassic model now covered in mud. 

In 2020, the model saw 2 outings. 1 core, a black one in the MBX Wild II 5-pack, and 1 premium, blue in the Superfast series. The black one also appeared in a Mission Convoy set that year, and in 2021 in the Russia series. In 2022, the original grey was brought back for Germany series. 

Since then, we saw a 2023 outing in the Collectors series in platinum. 

I do find it impressive that, as a non-Jurassic vehicle, this has seen 3 different Jurassic looks. As I said, I want to see the Camp Cretaceous model without mud to complete a quartet. 

The second of 3 Mercs in the batch is the MB1125 '97 Mercedes-Benz ML320. This is in a brown camouflage theme. 

For those who do not know, this vehicle was one of 3 modified Mercedes-Benz ML320s that were made for The Lost World: Jurassic Park back in 1997. It was known as Montoya, and there was Fontana (Matchbox made as MB1119) and Santana (which Matchbox actually made back in 1997 as MB319). Back then, the 2 models chosen were Montoya and Santana. This time, they created Montoya and Fontana. I don't know why they never recreated Santana. I would have loved to have seen that one in miniature done the modern way (the 1997 castings were actually rather crude). Plus, they chose the non-real version. Back in 2018, when this launched, it came in green camouflage, as depicted in the film as a single, but then was given the brown camouflage look exclusively in a 5-pack. Weirdly, the real green one has only been used once more, in the 2019 singles series. Whereas the brown one keeps getting outings. A 2019 5-pack, then a 2022 5-pack, and now here. And I am not seeing anything unusual about the new one compared to the older runs. 

The final Merc in the batch is the MB1123 '97 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1300. Originally a part of the 2019 series and 5-pack, it was used again in a 2020 5-pack.

But I have set this one loose. I did spot a change this time. 

I do like this model, although am sad that they have not really delved into the entire Unimog series for models. Aside from this, we have the MB1111 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5020. But, they never made models of the Unimog U2450 that the InGen hunters were using in The Lost World (we saw a clear view of one being airlifted on to the island) or the Unimog U4000 that was used in Jurassic World as a veterinarian unit. Claire Dearing used one to get her niece and nephew to safety in the film. Mind you, I am also surprised they never did a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that was seen with the G63 6x6 AMG in the Jurassic World film. There were many vehicles I would have loved to have seen. I could rattle off a list of other vehicles that were never used. But, I shouldn't sidetrack. 

Let's bring in the original for a little show and tell. 

Look at the differences. The shade of dark green body is different. The bumper section is darker on the new one on the right, and....

So is the cage. Yes. To be honest, this model has now been seen 4 times. 

Guess who has all 4? I found each one varies in shade somewhere. It debuted as a single in the 2019 series, then later in the year in a 5-pack, then in a 2020 5-pack. Every time, it comes out in a different hue. I kept them all. I do like this. I wish for more Mogs, though. 

Now it is time for the other new casting in the batch. The MB1551 Mission Team Patrol Craft. Also known as The Essex. 

The real boat was used extensively in the film, although did get destroyed in the end. It was a former military patrol vehicle that was repurposed as a boat for hire by Duncan Kincaid. 

Garry Gopinath was tasked with recreating it in miniature. Now, remember, he did that long before the film came out, so was likely using concept art to work from. So, it is not an exact replica. It doesn't have the red caged area at the rear, and the front end does come up a little more on the model. But, it is not bad. I would imagine they could not do the upper section to scale, as the model would have not been strong enough up there. I can forgive that. However, the front windows are just etched in place. Would these have been better if they had simply been cut out? Being small, it would have been tough to see inside, and I think it might have made the model a little better. The side windows get a tampo hit, but I guess they were unable to do front as well, which is why I thought cutting them out would have been the better option. 

The shape of the real boat has been captured pretty well I think. And there is a lot of detailing in place. It is quite thin, but not as thin as the helicopter. And with a flat hull, it site down very easily. 

There is a little fun to be had with the extra items added at the rear. 

And the colour scheme matches the real one perfectly. I can't argue with that one. Scoring this is a little tough. Inclusion. Well, as the most obvious new vehicle in the film, this is an easy 10. Casting. The hard part. It has some good detailing, and looks similar to the real one. But, the front end looks slightly over the top and the front windows don't look great this way. I am giving it a 7. Design. Faultless. Another 10. For a boat, 27 out of 30 is a very good score. At least, to me it is. 

And this one actually got wheels underneath. 

And this brings me to the final model in the batch. The return of the MB1115 Off-Road Rescue Rig. One of the older ones from 2018, it sports an early look again.  

Grey with a tan rear and brown cage was how it first appeared back in 2018, both as a single and 5-pack release. 

Since then, it has reappeared in a 2020 5-pack, 2022 single and now. But, I saw this one has a variation. 

Let's bring in the original. 

The new run is on the left, and the window/grille section has more of a brown tinge to it than before. 

This does follow through to the rear bed as well. 

This casting has seen a few outings. An alternate blue was sold in 2019. 

With a different blue with a unique design sold as well. 

There is also a Battle Damage release in 2018 which I forgot to photograph. So, this has seen 4 different looks, but this grey one is the only one that keeps coming back.

With the singles done, time to hit the 5-packs. I picked up this pack from Kohls in the USA, while I was there in July. I couldn't get the sticker off. but I am opening it anyway, so I really don't care. 

This set was called All-Terrain Patrol, which is only listed on the side of the pack. As with the 3 packs in batch A, we get 4 models and a dinosaur. 

The dino was a Pteranodon, a bird. Something we saw in the 2022 5-packs. You may remember me talking about the lack of new dinosaurs in the packs this time. We saw the same 4 in the 2022 5-packs. I am seriously disappointed about that. Then we get the 4 models. 2 are unique. And both are alternate looks to the 2 new castings in the singles. 

The MB1551 Mission Team Patrol Craft is a darker look, but still with a similar design on the side. Pretty cool. 

Whereas the MB1552 InGen Helicopter is completely different look. Matte black, with a different registration number on the side. 

Which, again, is a real one. This time from Jurassic World in 2015. Still no sign of the one from the latest film.

Disappointingly, the MB1123 '97 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1300 is also in this pack as well. Selling as both a single and 5-pack at the same time feels a little daft. We have lots of Jurassic vehicles to choose from. Heck, even the other MB1111 Unimog U5020 could have been a better option. 

This is a better option. MB1122 Jeep 12. This was a 2018 Legacy single issue, and has not been seen since. Until now. The new one has a different shade to it. 

Which brings us to the other Jurassic World: Rebirth 5-pack. And this is a 5-pack. 5 models in the set this time. 

This one is simply called Jurassic Heroes. It only saw a brief life. Appearing in the very first batch of Jurassic World: Rebirth run, as subsequent runs of batch A did not include it. I am not sure why. 

Aside from including the new MB1550 InGen Off-Road Vehicle, which was also a part of batch A singles, all of the other models are muddier or damaged ones. 

I have to admit, I was sad to see this one being included. But, it appears the first run has a slightly different shade of tan to the rest. Hey, I will take it. But, if we were looking at some of the muddy or damaged models, that wrecked Ford Explorer with muddy base and wheels should have been a shoe-in for this set. An opportunity sorely missed. Plus, is it me, or is there and issue with Kawasaki? We had 2 Kawasaki castings debut in 2018, and neither have been seen since. The MB1101 Kawasaki Teryx4 LE was given a Battle Damage outing in 2018 alongside the regular issue, and that could have been brought back for this set. Or either of the MB1106 '10 Textron Tiger models (cream or green). They also made a blue one as an R/C model, but never in a Matchbox. Why was that? I tell you, I could write a list of things I want Jurassic. In fact....

Textron Tiger - blue, as used in Tyco R/C.

Ford Explorer 05 - alternate

Jeep 10, 12, 29 - alternate

Mercedes-Benz ML320 Santana

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Unimog U2450

Mercedes-Benz Unimog U4000 Veterinarian Unit (pictured)

Chevy C-2500 Construction pickup (pictured).

1969 Pontiac Custom S Convertible in red. Used in a pivotal scene in The Lost World, where a T-Rex was chasing them in the car as they had her baby with them. Why was this not recreated in miniature?

The first 3 (or 5, depending on how you read it) are existing castings in new colours. The other 6 castings are of vehicles that had noticeable action in one of the films. I would have loved all 6 to have been recreated. 

But, anyway, the MB1104 Armored Action Transporter sees the 2018 Battle Damage issue return for the first time. And, as you can see, the grey front area is much lighter than it was 7 years ago.

And that does also form the base of the model. 

The original release without scratches and mud was also in 2018, but has returned in 2019 and 2022. Both times, it saw the same darker grey grille/base section. 

The MB1127 Jeep 29 with mud first appeared in 2018 as a single and 5-pack release, returning for another outing in the 2020 5-pack. The newest run has a fractional difference in the red window edging. 

The MB924 Chevy Silverado 1500 was first issued in the 2022 series, and returns for a second outing with a slightly less, and different coloured front mud section. 

Finally, the MB1112 Gyrosphere is repeated from the 2018 Battle Damage series, both single and 5-pack. This is only the casting's second "damaged" outing, and just like the plain Gyrosphere in batch A, the edging around the side piece is a different shade of blue. So, yes, all 5 did see mild differences. But, they should have used the wrecked Ford Explorer instead of the new InGen. Plus, the wrong Jeep. The canopy version in silver with the Battle Damage look, which was only used in 2018. That should have been the Jeep in the set. 

And with that, my work on the Rebirth stuff is done. I wonder if there is anybody thinking that there is another pack. The last batch of regular Matchbox 5-packs includes one that is Jurassic themed. It is not a Rebirth pack. It has the Jurassic World logo, not the Rebirth logo. I did not include it here, as it is not technically part of the Rebirth release. That was featured 2 new castings. 

3 new looks. 

And many carry forwards. 

As these models head off, my attention turns to next week. I guess I should get back to basics. I still have 4 batches of those to run through for 2025. As well as a few Moving Parts, another Collector, 1 more Working Rigs, a final Walmart, and some Candy. Oh, and a special 80th anniversary set. Yes, still many more 2025 reports to come before I even start on the 2026 stuff. Until next time, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.