It was exciting to see Indy back in the movies. Unfortunately the film did not fair as well as Paramount Studios had hoped it would.
Part of the reason was the story itself, the choice of supporting actors and the use of too much digital special effects.
Indiana Jones films always harkened back to the old movie serials and by placing Indy in the 1950s with an overabundance of digital effects the film was destined to do poorly at the Box Office.
Still, it did manage too turn a profit and as a result Disney Studios (who acquired the Indiana Jones franchise along with Star Wars when it purchased Lucas Films) has a new Indy filmed set to release in 2021/22.
Ford, Lucas and Spielberg are all set to return. Let’s hope the new film captures the excitement of the first three films and pray they do not bring Shia LaBeouf as Indy’s son Mutt.
So much hype was created by the return of Indy in Crystal Skull that publishers and manufacturers were practically tripping over themselves to acquire the rights to create licensed merchandise to sell.
Hasbro Toys secured the rights to the Crystal Skull and the Indy toy line. It created not only a line of Indy toys based on the new movie but also a line of action figures and play sets from Indy’s other films including his first film: Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
While I like the single six-inch Indy figures the six-inch Indy play sets are my favorite.
Both take scenes from Raiders and successfully translate them to fun to play with play sets. Both include articulated Indiana Jones figures complete with his trademark Fedora, leather jacket, khaki shirt, worn brown cuffed trousers, muddy, rugged boots, his pistol with holster, shoulder bag and whip.
Articulation of the Indy figures is remarkable considering how small they are. One arm moves and the waists pivot. Both hands are fashioned in a grip and easily handle his gun and whip along with accessories unique to each play set.
The Indiana Jones With Pitfall play set includes a base with two-raised platform rocky ledges. Below the ledges in the middle of the play set is a sandy area complete with wooden spikes with four human skull pierced by them. Attached to the larger of the stone ledges is a tree with an extended branch.
The Indy figure with whip in hand can hang and swing over the pit using its whip slung over the tree branch.
Several snakes are also included. “Snakes, why did it have to be snakes!”
Details on the figure, base and accessories are amazing. Paint application is tight and smooth with no slopovers or rough edges.
Little details like the mud on Indy’s boots, the worn and comfortable look of his cloths, the tree trunk bark, the pit’s half tree root system, the crumbling temple wall and pit with spikes and skulls are perfectly in scale and expertly crafted and sculpted.
The tree branch even swivels allowing Indy to fall to safety!
The packaging consists of an oversize plastic bubble pack with an Indiana Ones Logo and portrait predominately displayed on its front.
The display box can also sit flat on a shelf for easy display. On the back of the display box is a short description of the scene recreated and photos of other Indy play sets and toys.
The Indiana Jones With Temple Trap play set also includes a fully detailed Indy figure with a small tied sand filled bag in Indy’s left hand.
The play set recreates one of the most famous scenes In Raiders-that of the temple floor and golden idol.
The golden idol sits on a raised stone pedestal in the middle of a stone floor.
Indy’s task is to remove the idol before he triggers the toy mechanism that flips each side of the floor up trapping Indy. It’s trickier than it looks!
Indy’s whip and gun are also included.
Like the Pitfall play set the details on the Temple Trap play set are first-rate right down to Indy’s facial features.
The Temple Trap floor and walls are amazing in their attention to details including the carved decorations, human skull idol, pedestal and themed background of the packaging.
Both figures play sets are (in my opinion) the best of the play sets from the series and are a must-have for any Indiana Jones fan.
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