Customer Reviews

Toy Story 3 Rex the Roaring Dinosaur

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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?

I...love....Rex. He is so funny, he is so huge, and he is durable. A little kid could toss this toy around for years and not break it (they might break a vase or two in the process though). He has so many different sayings, all from the movie. And I believe that they actually got Wallace Shawn to do the voices for the toy. And when you have him on interactive setting and turn on Buzz and Woody also, the three of them all sit there and banter back and forth with each other. He's a little pricey, but I'm assuming 75% of you people on here are getting him for a collectors piece and not an actual toy. The plastic is high quality, and the texturing of the skin is done really well. It looks just like the texture of Rex in the movie. Remember watching Toy Story for the very first time and you were blown away by the graphics and how the bumps on Rex just popped out at you...the toy replicates that effect perfectly. Combine that with the large size, the wonderful packaging, and the head movements, this toy looks great. Only down side is the arms don't move even though they appear like they should. But that shouldn't deter you from this product.

Thanks

My brother bought this for me for my birthday, and I loved it.
His box was a little roughed up, which was perplexing because it was bought new. Maybe something happened during shipping...
Anyway, the toy itself was lovely. You turn his tail to hear him talk. He doesn't say as many different sayings as the Woody or Buzz collector's editions, but that's probably because he's a side character.
The Rex I got had a screw loose inside. It didn't affect the toy itself, but a curious shaking noise would be heard whenever he was shaken. We fixed it eventually, though.
Overall, a really wonderful toy. It would've been better with a bit more sayings, but still worth it if you're a huge fan of the dinosaur ;)

My grandson loves this toy and we love that he talks with the other Toy Story figures. It has lasted without issue, and lives in a house where toys are frequent casualties. Rex is fun and durable!!!!

This was at the top of my son's Xmas list. Although, he hasn't seen it yet, I have before I wrapped it. The box looks like a crate and his tail is separate. You have to affix it. He looks and sounds like the Rex from the movie. A great toy!!!

First off, I'm not a kid (57 years old) and Rex is my favorite Toy Story Chracter, so I just had to get "Rex, the Roaing Dinosaur". He shares my computer desk with the smaller, non-talking version of Rex. I really like the interaction feature because if I yell at him, he'll comeback with one of the "I'm scard of loud noises" sayings. As some of the other posts state, he isn't a toy, but more of an adult collectable. If you love Rex, you will really like "Rex, the Roaing Dinosaur".

I purchased this item as a gift for my grandson. I am currently living overseas and there isn't any quality items available here for me to purchase to take back as a gift for my grandson. I ordered this on line because when I speak with my grandson on the phone we always growl at each other. It makes him laugh and giggle! Plus he loves the Toy Story items! I thought a roaring dinosaur would be a perfect gift to give him when I get back home. I had it shipped to my daughters house and they will have it there for me to give him when I get home. Little boys like to growl and roar so this will be...PERFECT!

He's sooo cute. He quotes a lot of his lines from the movies and responds to you when talk. A must for any Toy Story fan.

Note: He is NOT a toy. He is a COLLECTIBLE! DO NOT get this for small children.

My son, who is a Toy Story FREAK, LOVES this toy! He's into collecting memorabilia so this fits into the collection very nice. We had to go thru A LOT to get this item for him for his recent birthday . . . but it was worth it. He loves the packaging it came in.

It's perfect for a Toy Story lover. Very fun toy and entertaining. The package is also super cool of course.