Cars 2: Race Team Mater and Zen Master Pitty

 "Hey! Ya done good, you got all the leaves!" -Mater, Cars 2

This "movie moments" 2-pack was part of the very first wave of Mattel Cars 2 releases back in the late Spring of 2011 and features Race Team Mater and [the hilariously designed] Zen Master Pitty. As usual, these are 1:55 scale diescast cars with added plastic accessories.

Strangely enough though, this set still lingers on some store shelves even now. I just saw them at my local Kmart not too long ago!

As you may notice from the screen shot from the film above, Zen Master Pitty (who is seen raking the zen garden at the Tokyo WGP party) actually has "facial hair" that was not featured on the diecast or on the packaging. My guess is that the Zen Master's goatee was a last minute addition/tweak to the film that Pixar added late in the game, presumably after this toy was produced my Mattel.

While the Zen Master Pitty was only released in this 2-pack, Race Team Mater (which sports Lightning Mcqueen's "95" logo on either side of him) has been released numerous times in both multi and single packs.

If you missed this set the first time around and would like to grab it for your collection, you can easily pick it up on Amazon or eBay using the link below:
Cars 2: Race Team Mater and Zen Master Pitty 2-pack

Pixar Collection: Vinylmation Villains-Series 5 (Pixar) UPDATE

Today's post is an exciting (for me at least) page update to my Villains (series 5, Pixar themed) Vinylmation post! Check out the original post HERE to see my write-up on these great two new characters- Syndrome from The Incredibles and Dean Hardscrabble from Monsters University.

Cars 2: Krate Rainson-Wash

From Mattel, here we have their 1:55 scale diecast release of Krate Rainson-Wash from last year's 2013 "Airport Adventure" sub-series (#6/7).

As seen in the screen shot above, Krate can be seen briefly outside of the Japan airport right as the exciting "airport chase" ensues.

Krate is a cool design and pretty different than any other release thus far. He's one of those characters you see and wonder "who's this guy and when was he in the movie?" If you're looking for more "unique" looking cars/background characters  to add to your collection, this one would be a great addition! You can pick him up on Amazon or eBay using the link below:
Cars 2: Krate Rainson-Wash

A Bug's Life: Action Figures and Vehicle Collection PAGE UPDATE

Today's post is a long awaited update to my Mattel A Bug's Life action figure collection...the Scout Squad 3-pack! For whatever reason, this was the only item in the collection that I never got back in the day. Then, just recently, as I was looking through my A Bug's Life action figure post, I thought to myself "well why not?" It was the only item there I didn't have, so I tracked it down on eBay right away and found it in the package for a very decent price.

Head over to the original post to view much more on this set and the rest of the now completed line from 1998.

Finding Nemo: Cuddle 'N' Talk Nemo

From Thinkway Toys, here we have the brand new 2014 Cuddle 'N' Talk Nemo! This has just been released as a Toys R Us exclusive and retails for $39.99.

This is a a "soft and cuddly" talking plush toy with 15 phrases, flapping fins/tail action and water bubbling sound effects. His phrases include:

• "First day of school! First day of school! Wake up, wake up!" 
• "I'm Nemo." 
• "Lucky fin!" 
• "How old are sea turtles?"
• "They live to be 100 years old!"
• "It's my dad! He took on a shark!"
• "Hey Guys! Wait up!"
• "I can swim fine!"
• "Whoa...What's that?"
• "What?! What is it?"
• "Have you ever met a shark?"
• "Can you help me?"
• "Um, excuse me...are you alright?"
• "It's ok, I'm looking for someone too."
• "Hey, we can look together."

He is recommended for ages four and up.  

This Nemo is part of Thinkway Toy's new Disney/Pixar Collection (see the full collection on their site HERE) and features the fantastic Pixar product packaging that we've seen a lot of over the past year.

I love the look of the packaging, it feels so fresh and new with a very clean and simplistic design. It's also very exciting to have new products and re-releases for many of the older Pixar films such as Wall-E, Up, The Incredibles and others. You just don't see much out there from them!

At over a foot long and just over six inches in height,  I was also impressed with how big this toy is. As usual from Thinkway, this is a high quality product with a near perfect likeness.

See my YouTube video below to see him in action (Note: I forgot to turn it on from "demo mode" so I only captured about five phrases in the video):



 A huge thanks to my awesome, thoughtful and supportive wife Brita who snagged this for me as a "Back to School" present! Yesterday was my first day of classes for this semester and she woke me up with this by having Nemo say "First day of school! First day of school! Wake up, wake up!" Needless to say, it definitely woke me up and started my day off right! It was the perfect plan.

You can pick this up at Toys R Us or wait for it to show up online. Some have already found there way on eBay, which you can check out using the link below:
Finding Nemo: Cuddle 'N' Talk Nemo Plush

Thanks for visiting and be sure to contact me with any comments or questions you may have. Come back daily for more from my Pixar collection!

Cars 2: "You the Bomb" Mater

From Cars 2, here is Mattel's 2013 diecast release of "You the Bomb" Mater! This was part of last year's "Palace Chaos" sub-line (#3/9).

As seen in the screen shot above, this release is based on the sequence in the film when Mater is revealed to have a bomb under his hood, attached by Professor Z's minions, in an attempt to kill Lightning Mcqueen.

Before being released in this single pack, "You the Bomb" Mater was only available as an exclusive  in a Target 12-pack and in a Toys R Us exclusive 5-pack called "London Chase."

You can pick up this Mater on Amazon or on eBay using the link below:
Cars 2: You the Bomb Mater

Cars 2: Grem with Weapon

Grem, one of Professor Z's lemon henchmen in Cars 2, has seen his share of diecast releases over the years. Here we have one of Mattel's latest versions of the character... Grem with Weapon! This one was available just last year as part of the 2013 "Airport Adventure" sub-line (#1/7).

As seen in the screen shot above, Grem is seen with his "pop-out weapon" during the airport runway chase sequence in the film.

Though not available anymore in stores, you can still this up online at either Amazon, or eBay using the link below:
Cars 2: Grem with Weapon

Toy Story 2: Activity Center CD-ROM

Image from Amazon.com

On November 28th, 1999, Disney Interactive released this Toy Story 2: Activity Center computer game to coincide with the film's release. I was nine years old when I received this game and, being such a huge fan of the movie, played it over and over again. I have a lot of great memories playing this game and would still recommend it to young Toy Story fans even today!

While I still have my original CD-ROM disc (in near perfect condition), I don't have it with me at school currently. With that said, a big thanks to YouTuber Brett Darien for uploading a good quality gameplay video that I was able to capture screen shots from for this post.

The game starts with a western themed sign in screen. From there, you jump right to the game's opening titles on the TV in Al's apartment where you join Woody and Buzz.

 

 The TV is used to navigate through the selection of the six included games/activities. The remote control on the bottom right hand corner is used to reset a game, quit the game, get help or to come back to this "TV Room."

The first game, Cone Chaos, is of course based on the memorable scene from the film when the toys hide under traffic cones as they cross the street to Al's Toy Barn. The object here is to cross the street without getting hit, while also avoiding obstacles like holes in the ground. There are three levels of difficulty.

Next up is Toy Shelf Showdown. I remember this being one of my favorites as a kid playing this game. The point of this one is to navigate Buzz through the toy shelves and collect the rocket ship pieces, all while avoiding Zurg's evil robot henchmen. Jumping on the balls helps you reach the higher shelves and Buzz's laser is used to temporarily disables the robots. Once the rocket ship is assembled, the game is completed and you get to watch as Buzz and Zurg have a brief confrontation (spoiler alert- Buzz always wins). Again, there are three levels of difficulty.

Critter Corral here is also a fun one. This game's easy to explain since it's ultimately just a western themed version of checkers featuring the critters from Woody's Roundrup. Here you have three levels of difficulty and the option to either play against the computer or a friend. 

This game, Luggage Lunacy (based on the epic airport climax in Toy Story 2), is also one I remembering enjoying immensely. Here you help navigate Buzz on top of the luggage in search for Woody- who's captive in Al's green suitcase. Be careful though! Some of the luggage is quite hazardous (in specific, avoid the suitcases that are over-packed and don't stand on the shipping boxes too long). "It's not suicide! It's a rescue!"

In Create a Comic Book, the sky's the limit. In this activity, you use the available backgrounds, characters, props, effects and quotations to make your own illustrated story. When you're done, you can even save it and print it! I remember spending hours playing this activity with my friends creating hilarious stories that we laughed out loud to. I'm sure kids today would get just as much of a kick out of it. 

Woody's Printing Press is not so much a game or activity so this was an area I hardly went to as a kid. Here you could pretty much just print things like postcards, greeting cards, posters and stickers featuring your favorite Toy Story 2 pals.

There we have it! The Toy Story 2: Activity Center. This is an entertaining, quality game for young kids to enjoy featuring simple yet fun activities, catchy music, good graphics and cute imagery. Even with the fact that it's 15 years old, I'd say this is a winner. If you're interested in picking this up (though be careful since it won't be compatible with most modern computers), you can pick it up on Amazon HERE.

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: Movie (DVD)

On August 8th, 2000, Disney and Pixar released their first (and only) direct to video, traditionally animated spin-off film; Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins, directed by Tad Stones. Though advertised as a "Feature-Length Movie", the run time barely makes the cut at only 65 minutes long (70 minutes including credits).

The film originally premiered on VHS, but soon after made its way onto DVD for a short time (which makes the DVD a bit harder to find these days). A Blu-Ray has yet to be released.

The film begins with a special introduction in Andy's room with all of our favorite toys (including Woody, Rex, Buzz, Jessie, Hamm, Bullseye, Slinky, Wheezy and others). This opening scene is done in Pixar's signature 3D animation and features Rex being "over the top" excited for the release of this video.

For this film, Tim Allen reprises his role as Buzz Lightyear along with other original voice actors for the intro: Joe Ranft as Wheezy, Wallace Shawn s Rex and R. Lee Ermey as Sarge.

Woody, however, is not voiced by Tom Hanks, but rather by his brother Jim Hanks and Hamm is not voiced by John Ratzenburger, but rather by Andrew Stanton (director of Finding Nemo & Wall-E). Andrew Stanton, who also voiced Zurg in Toy Story 2, does not voice Zurg in this film. The role of Zurg was passed onto Wayne Knight, who was also the voice of Al of Al's Toy Barn in Toy Story 2. The Little Green men are voiced by Patrick Warburton, who went on to voice Buzz Lightyear in the ABC television series based on this film. Phew, what a whirlwind!
 

After the (approximately) two minute introduction, you're taken right into the actual movie as the toys of Andy's room start watching it on their TV.

Here is the official description for what this film's all about: Zurg and his henchmen have just invaded the planet of the Little Green Men in their diabolical quest to take control of the universe. Buzz and his fearless team of Space Ranger Cadets (the mystical Mira Nova. the brave but bumbling Booster and the experimental robot XR) are the only ones who can save the day...and the galaxy! Will Buzz save the Little Green Men in time? Will he defeat the evil Emperor Zurg? Set your course for out-of-this-world excitement as everyone's favorite Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, takes adventure and heroism...to infinity and beyond!

Note: There are no real "Bonus Features" on this DVD other than a couple of games and a digital comic book.

This is actually a pretty fun little movie that I really enjoyed growing up. It's not the greatest quality (being from Disney's television animation studio) but it's definitely nostalgic for me! I was ten when this movie came out, and its been years since I have watched it all the way through, but I remember thinking it was hilarious and entertaining. I would for sure still recommend it for young Toy Story fans today. If you're interested, you can pick it up on Amazon or eBay using the link below:
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: DVD

In addition, as briefly mentioned earlier, this movie also acted as a sort of "pilot" for a TV series (of the same name) that aired on ABC that same August. The series was short lived and ran for only two seasons, but the episodes were pretty enjoyable as well. The TV series has yet to be officially released on any format.

Thanks for stopping by today's post and be sure to explore the rest of my collection, including some Buzz Lightyear of Star Command action figures, using the labels to the right of this page.