I first noticed Rose and the Scout Trooper a couple weeks back in a single location, but since then they seemed to have proliferated…somewhat. It appears as though Targets and Walmarts are getting different cases. Lots of Targets have 2 Roses on hand along with many others that we’ve already seen, whereas Walmart seems to getting a case including 2 Rose, one Scout Trooper, Jango, Yoda, Flametrooper, Boba, and maybe a Rey? That’s just an approximation, but I don’t think it’s too far off from what’s happening around these parts.
Rose is a fairly generic looking car, and I’m assuming this is why they waited until the week or so directly before the premiere to release her – she’d be too unrecognizable for kids and casual fans. I haven’t seen the film yet so I’ll reserve judgement. Overall the car is kinda dainty and the paint job is kinda screaming generic. But that’s ok. No hate on being normal, and props to Hot Wheels for giving us something very mundane in order to maintain the integrity of the story.
“Despie not being on the frontlines, this tenacious off-road buggy serves an integral part in the fight against the First Order. As a member of the Starfighter support crew, Rose’s laser-like focus makes her the ultimate asset to the team. This tough and self-reliant vehicle knows no bounds and can easily handle whatever off-road terrain comes her way.”
“Outfitted in the signature support crew suit, Rose’s accessories can be found along the sides, front and rear of the vehicle’s body. After spending her childhood dreaming of the day she can take on the First Order, the time has finally come!
And again, the Scout Trooper is about what you’d expect! It’s essentially a buggy-like vehicle fashioned out of the Scout Trooper’s helmet. However, I think it’s one of the better looking Stormtrooper-derivative Character Cars thus far. My favorite detail is the small holster on the side where the trooper’s tiny blaster rests. My kid and I have this thing that whenever a “soldier-y” car comes out we try to get 4 of them. We wanted multiples to give staged scenes some oomph.; 2 seemed like too few to make a statement and 3 seemed like it’d cause problems with odd numbers and all. We’ve done good though. I think we have 4 of all of ’em: Stormtroopers, Damaged Stormtroopers, First Order Stormtroopers, Death Troopers, Damaged Death Troopers, Flametroopers, Damaged Flametroopers, Battle Droids, 501st Clones, Shock Clones, Praetorian Guards, Imperial Guards, Tusken Raiders, Jawas…and I think that’s it! Note that we did not get 4 “Ewoks” because officially the car is labeled as Wicket and just “an Ewok.” We only have 2 Gamorrean Guards, and this because I couldn’t justify buying 4 tracksets just to tear the car out…I did buy 2 though…what would the world be without <strongLat least 2 Gamorreans! Finally, I bought 4 of the First Order Executioners. According to the back, it wasn’t clear if the “Executioners” were a specific MP-type unit of Stormtroopers or just a single trooper with a highly specialized job? Do’t tell me! I’ll be seeing it for myself relatively soon. As for the Scout Trooper, well, currently I only have 2. But I’m staying optimistic.
“Like a Scout Trooper patrolling the forests of Endor, this high-performance hot rod turns with the amazing agility of a 74-Z Speeder Bike.”
“This mean machine’s amped-up design replicates the scout’s helmet and armor – with an aggressive raked stance, air inlets for the powerful engine, and blaster pistol on the side. Designed for superior stealth and mobility, this Imperial fighter is ready to race for a showdown!”
Right on the heels of these 2 – maybe a week later – 2 new All-Terrain Character Cars showed up on shelves. Both of these are big and bulky like their predecessors and with “real working suspension!”
Kylo Ren’s vehicle takes on a militaristic look. It’s kinda like a battering ram on wheels. The design makes good use of Kylo’s face “plate” and I dig the rear-facing lightsabers along the sides.
Rey is a little less interesting. Despite the new film, All-Terrain Rey is pretty much just the classic Force Awakens Rey beefed up and stuck on some big ass tires. I really, really have to question it’s inclusion…it’s not so old as to be classic, so it ends up feeling straight-up outdated. I will say that I appreciate the good to bad ratio so far though, I just hope Hot Wheels gets a little more creative and inventive with this line if they plan to keep up with it.
It looks like we do have a few new interesting things on the horizon though…stay tuned!
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