Toy Story: An Interactive Pop-Up Book and BEYOND!

As mentioned before (in this Toy Story Pop-Up book post), I grew up loving pop-up books. There was always something so fun and fascinating about them to me; like how they are engineered to fit so much dimension in each page in addition to the movable features.

This "Toy Story: An Interactive Pop-Up Book and BEYOND!" book takes it to the next level with more interactivity than the standard pop-up book. When I saw it recently, I knew it was a must have for my collection!

This book was released in September 2012 with the designs and engineering by Yevgeniya Teretskaya. It's four pages long and simply goes through the story of the entire Toy Story trilogy.

Lets get to it!

When you first open the book, you'll notice nine quality "punch out" three-dimensional characters to play with alongside the 3D story: Bullseye, Jessie, Woody, Buttercup, Buzz Lightyear, Trixie and three Pizza Planet Aliens. A tenth character, Slinky, is also included, but more on that below.

 The first page, naturally, is Andy's bedroom. This one is loaded is features!

Make Woody jealous by turning Andy's cowboy themed room into Buzz Lighteyear themed! Change over the bed, the pillow and the poster.

Also, here is where we can find the Slinky 3D punch-out. He is included behind the flap on the left side of the page.

Create the scene from the film using the other included characters as seen below.

 In the second page we head to Pizza Planet for some "Rocket Ship Crane Game" action.

Use the magnetic, movable "claw" to snatch up one of the punch-out aliens and create the iconic scene from the film.

Next we head to the story of Toy Story 2 with a page dedicated to Al the toy collector's Woody's Roundup collection.

Watch out for Stinky Pete the prospector...he's up to no good!

Recreate the memorable scene when Woody finds out he's a famous character and collector's item. The record player includes spinnable record and movable tone arm.

The fourth and final page is the emotional ending scene from Toy Story 3, when Andy gives over his special toys to the adorable Bonnie.

 Put Buttercup (or any character) in Bonnie's backpack for safe keeping!

Use this tab to make Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head's eyes move from side to side.

 Rex's arms move side to side as well by sliding this tab.

The gang's all here! This is an outstanding book with fun features, intricately crafted pages and amazing (not to mention classy) illustrations. This is a must have for Toy Story fans-the young or the young at heart!

It's pretty easy to find online. If you're interested, or eBay using the link below:
Toy Story: An Interactive Pop-Up Book And BEYOND!

Or visit Amazon using this direct link: 

Cars: Jamie

From the original Cars, here we have the Mattel 1:55 scale diecast of Johnny! This character has been released just once, in the "Final Lap" collection back in 2010.

Jamie is yet another one of those cars that if you blink, you'll miss his appearance in the film. Not only that, but you pretty much have to squint to see him. Talk about a minor character, ha! How did this one make it into a diecast?

As seen above, Jamie can be seen on the stands at the big Los Angeles Speedway near the end of the film. If you look closely at the included screenshot, you can see him and his buddy Johnny (the green car next to him of the same model) hanging over the railing waving. Johnny was also released as a diecast; you can read that post right HERE.

If you're still looking to add Jamie to your Cars collection, you can find him online at either Amazon or eBay using the link below:
Cars: Jamie

Cars 2: Finn McMissile and Tomber

Here we have the Mattel 1:55 scale diecast release of Finn McMissile and Tomber, a "movie moments" 2-pack! This was available as part of the original 2011 Cars 2 series. Finn was released as a single pack as well of course, however this 2-pack was (and is) the only way to get the character Tomber.

We all know Finn from the film as one of the main spy heroes, but Tomber had a small roll with not nearly as much screen time. If you remember, Tomber is the small, three wheeled French car who sells car parts at the Parisian market (Marché Aux Pièces). Finn and Holley go to him in search for  important information on some car parts he had previously sold to a mysterious client. 

Trivia: The word "Tomber" is French-it literally means "to fall" (hence the unstable, three wheeled design of this character who easily tips over).

If you're still looking to add Tomber or Finn to your Cars/Cars 2 collection, be sure to head to Amazon or eBay (using the link below) to purchase:
Cars 2: Finn McMissile and Tomber 2-Pack

Thanks for dropping by and be sure to check back daily for more from my Pixar (mostly Cars these day) collection! 

Cars: Hummer Sven

 "Lightning McQueen must be found at all costs!" 

—Sven

Here we have the Mattel 1:55 scale diecast of Sven the Hummer from the original Cars! This was released in both the 2008 "Race O Rama" series and in the "Disney/Pixar Cars" series and is a deluxe "Mega Size" vehicle.

As shown in the screen shot above, Sven appears briefly in the film during the montage of news reports when Lightning Mcqueen "goes missing." From the voice, to the big "body" to the fact that the news report is "Live from Sacramento", it's extremely apparent that Sven is a major parody of actor and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.

If you haven't added Sven to your Disney/Pixar Cars collection, your best bet is to snag him on either Amazon or eBay using the link below:

Cars: Hummer Sven

Cars: Dusty Rust-eze

Following yesterday's post of Rusty Rust-eze (a tribute to the late Tom Magliozzi), I thought now would be the perfect time to post about his brother and business partner, Dusty Rust-eze! In the film, these two are brothers, but were also voiced by real-life brothers, radio talk show hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi.

This is a 1:55 scale diecast re-release from Mattel. Dusty here has been released several times over the years in multiple series, but the one I have here is the 2013 re-release which was part of last year's "Rust-eze Racing" sub-line (#1/8).

If you missed this one when he was available in stores, be sure to head to Amazon or eBay (using the link below) to purchase for your collection:
Cars: Dusty Rust-eze

Cars: Rusty Rust-eze

On November 3rd of this year, radio talk show host, car enthusiast and Pixar voice actor Tom Magliozzi passed away at age 77 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Tom was the voice of Rusty Rust-eze from the original Cars.

As a tribute, I thought today would be an appropriate time to post the Mattel 1:55 scale diecast of Rusty. This character has been released several times over the years in multiple series, but the one I have here is the 2013 re-release which was part of last year's "Rust-eze Racing" sub-line (#3/8).

If you missed grabbing this character for your Cars collection, you can track him down easiest on either Amazon or eBay for pretty inexpensive prices.

Cars: Leroy Traffik with Snow Tires

In the original Cars, Leroy Traffic is first seen passing Mack on the highway with a flat tire, in which Lightning Mcqueen responds; "A mini van"?!

This version of the character, Leroy Traffik with snow tires, represents his second appearance on screen (during the end credits) where is seen coming out of Casa Della Tires with brand new heavy duty snow tires (as shown in the screen shot above).

This is a 1:55 scale "Deluxe" size diecast from Mattel and was released in 2011 (see packaged photo HERE).

If you missed picking up this release, be sure to head to Amazon or eBay (using the link below) to purchase:
Cars: Leroy Traffik with Snow Tires

Cars 2: Uncle Topolino & Mama Topolino 2-Pack

Here we have yet another Cars 2 "movie moments" 2-pack...this time featuring Uncle and Mama Topolino! This pack was available in 2011 as part of the original Cars 2 line and, as usual, are 1:55 scale diecasts from Mattel.

These characters are Luigi's uncle and aunt who live near Porto Corsa, Italy. They own the local tire shop and taught Luigi and Guido everything they know about tires. In the film, Lightning Mcqueen and his pit crew join their "Festival Italiano" and spend the night at their place before the second race of the WGP.

Both Uncle and Mama Topolino have since been released on individual cards, if you'd like to buy them separately.

If you missed purchasing them in stores, you can pick them up on Amazon or eBay using the link below:
Cars 2: Uncle and Mama Topolino 2-Pack

Cars 2: Rod Torque Redline

From Mattel, here we have their 1:55 scale diecast release of Rod Torque Redline! This is a 2011 release and was part of the initial Cars 2 series (#16).

In the film, Rod is the American spy who attempts to pass along crucial information to Holley Shiftwell and Finn McMissile. Instead, he secretly passes it to Mater in the Tokyo party bathroom to keep it safe from the attacking lemons. Holley and Finn then mistaken Mater for "the American spy" and Rod is captured, tortured and killed by Professor Z.

There was also a "Damaged Rod Torque Redline" diecast released as well (in a 2-pack with Grem, see post HERE).

If you missed adding Rod to your collection, be sure to head to Amazon or eBay (using the link below) to purchase:
Cars 2: Rod Torque Redline

Cars 2: Petey Pacer

Here we have the 1:55 scale diecast of Petey Pacer from Cars 2! This character was released last year as part of Mattel's 2013 "Lemons" sub-series (#4/7).

This diecast version of Petey includes welding goggles and a torch, however, he never is distinctly visible that way in the film. He could appear with goggles and a torch during the opening of the film (as seen in the left screen shot above), but it's not clear enough to really confirm. He is clearly seen for a brief moment in the streets of Tokyo (screen shot on the right), but he does not have any of the welding gear on.

If you missed Petey on store shelves last year, be sure to hit up Amazon or eBay (using the link below) to purchase:
Cars 2: Petey Pacer

Cars 2: Carlo Maserati

Here we have Mattel's 1:55 scale diecast of Carlo Maserati from Cars 2! He was released in late 2011 and was part of the original Cars 2 collection (#25).

In the film, Carlo is only seen in the background for a brief moment, during one of the establishing shots of the Porto Corsa, Italy casino (screen shot above).

This character was only released once and is not slated for a re-release anytime soon (from what I know). If you missed him, you can still find him easily on Amazon and eBay using the link below (good news, he's very inexpensive):
Cars 2: Carlo Maserati