Toy Story 3 Rex the Roaring Dinosaur Review

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(More customer reviews)These new, "film accurate" Toy Story toys from Thinkway are really neat! They are given a bit too much credit for being totally accurate, even from John Lasseter himself, but there's no doubt that they're the most accurate ones ever to hit the market thanks to being modeled from the actual PIXAR computer data. Still, each one has an issue or two that keeps them from being wholly accurate, the beautifully designed film-based packaging has the issue of requiring the Toy Story logo quite visibly in every case, and some of them, especially Buzz Lightyear, can have quite a few production flaws when you get them out of the package (as with all toys, paint flaws are a common issue, and just like with my original Buzz, you can encounter unwanted artifacts imbedded in areas like his clear plastic helmet). However, for this review I'm going to discuss Rex, the friendly dinosaur.
As in the film, the toy of Rex seems to be voiced by actor Wallace Shawn (you know, the hilarious bald guy from Princess Bride). And, yes, I said voiced, even though a film accurate Rex wouldn't actually talk, would it? I mean, not made as a talking toy, anyway. Well, though these Certificate of Authenticity, Toy Story Collection toys are being pushed to us collectors and hardcore Disney/PIXAR/Toy Story fans, they are still being made with kids in mind too, and high price tags (very high, really, and Rex is one of the doozies), and that's why you have some inconsistencies like interactive electronics. Of course, something like that is fun and forgivable. It's great to have a physically accurate Rex that can "come alive" and speak in his real voice. I have no problem with that. However, there's one issue that does bother me, and that's the fact that Rex's jaw does not move. It DOES in the film. So, the whole perfectly accurate thing is baloney. Don't get me wrong, these toys are beautiful, wonderful, I love them, but they're not 100% accurate. Thankfully, the sculpt is there to give the appearance, somewhat, that the jaw moves. Visually, Rex really does look perfect, with a beautiful paint job (though, one reason I prefer to buy toys in person is the paint job issue; I did pick through 3 or 4 of these, and I'm glad I was able to), and that's what really matters to me, as I mainly want them for display. So, again, I give my full two thumbs up to this Rex toy, just like to point out that perfect it is not, due to that whole jaw issue.
As for his electronic abilities, Rex is advertised to say several phrases, respond to your voice and volume level, and move his head and arms. He does move very well and speaks very loudly and clearly, saying a handful of cute, funny, and sometimes slightly insecure phrases. Rex comes with his tail unattached, as the on/off/try me switch is located at the base that his tail attaches to. Off, as I would guess, conserves the batteries better than the "sleep" mode Rex goes into when he senses he is not being played with, and the tail nicely hides these switches. Twisting the tail is what gets him to speak on demand, and this always works, though it took me a while to get Rex to respond to sound. This could be an issue of battery energy loss, since he was in the store with that try me button getting hit by kids a lot, I'm sure, though he sounds so loud and everything that he doesn't seem like he has low batteries. Something else I've encountered is that sometimes Rex will, while switched to Play mode, still act more like he's in Try Me mode, saying only a few phrases and responding even less than usual. Again, it could be a battery power issue, but I have found that switching him off and waiting a few minutes to switch him back to play can remedy this issue as well as the other, and I picked up that tip from another Rex owner. Last time I tried him out, though I didn't talk to Rex myself, he finally was responding in perfect form to Buzz and Woody. Get the three together and they won't shut up, ha!
Rex comes in another great Toy Story Collection package designed to look like he's a non-film based toy dinosaur, as he might have been packaged if sitting on a shelf in Al's Toy Barn; but, like I said about all these great Toy Story Collection toys, "Toy Story" is still clearly printed on the package somewhere very visible, which to me ruins the effect and makes the packaging not worth saving at all. As for posability, Rex's legs can be positioned as you like. You can move his arms and head too, but I wouldn't encourage this. Better purchased for the gentle Toy Story fan. He can stand well since he uses his tail too. Can't get him to stand with tail in the air because of the weight distribution, but he looks fine with it down.
Over all, Rex is a flippin' AWESOME toy, especially for the collector who loves the Toy Story films. He has a few issues, but he is still incredible and deserving of 5 stars. His only accessory is the certificate of authenticity, and if you are shopping for this Rex, be sure to make sure the C.O.A. is mentioned on the box, or else you are getting one of the less accurate versions. It's a little confusing out there right now with these toys, as some of the less accurate versions come pretty close. In person, I have only seen the C.O.A. Rex at the Disney Store, which is where I bought mine, but I HAVE seen a smaller, non-accurate version at Toys R Us, and the less aware buyer could easily go home with that one if he or she is not being watchful. As for the other toys currently available in the first wave of this line, there is Buzz, Woody, R/C, the Alien 3-pack, and the Bucket O' Soldiers (which is easily confused with the less accurate, non-C.O.A. version also available right now). As I understand it, Potato Head and Hamm are scheduled to come out VERY soon, and Jessie after that. Hopefully, we'll see Bullseye, Mrs. Potato Head, and Slinky Dog later down the road. And, dare I hope, Bo Peep, Stinky Pete, and Zurg?


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Every Toy Story fan will have a monstrously fun time with this Toy Story Collection: Rex Action Figure. This highly detailed, definitive collectors deluxe edition Rex figure is the most accurate replica yet produced and has lots of fantastic features including motorized arms and head, and when you talk to him he responds with movement and speech in the original voice from the movie. The ultimate toy dinosaur, he's sure to make them Rex-static! Imported. . Turn Rex's tail to activate Talking/Roaring feature with moving hands and head . He knows if you're shouting or talking quietly to him and responds accordingly to the tone of your voice . Film accurate paint details, using original Disney/Pixar digital data files  . Vinyl body . 13'' H . Requires 3 AA batteries, included for demonstration only . Includes Certificate of Authenticity . Part of the Toy Story Collection  . Ages 4+ .

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