Would YOU Buy Popcorn from a Sticky Scooter?
Written: Jul 15 '04 (Updated Jul 16 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: An improved likeness over earlier Scooter figures, a ginormous popcorn machine.
Cons: My personal issues with Scooter, and his cold sores and sticky parts.
The Bottom Line: Despite his annoying tendencies, Scooter's a good kid. Just like you and me. Well...you.
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| JediKermit's Full Review: Jim Henson's Muppets Movie Usher Scooter Action Fi... |
Man, I’m getting pretty bummed. The last several waves of Muppet figures have all been five-star reviews from me…and although I’m very excited about the four new Muppets I’ve added to my collection, there have been some disappointments in Palisades’ latest offerings. Not in the selection of characters or the sculpts or accessories, but what seem to be a few factory issues that are holding the figures back. Gosh, and I remember when “Made In China” was a sign of the highest quality!
Okay…maybe not.
Truthfully, all toy companies have these issues, but when I’ve come to love these particular characters and toys as much as I do, it comes as a harsh blow. So…with no further ado, and because my co-worker won’t stop talking about work (the nerve of that guy), I’ve gotta launch into my review of Movie Usher Scooter.
I’ve got to preface this by saying that Scooter has never been my favorite character. He always came off as a little geeky, a little conniving, a little annoying…and despite my appreciation of puppeteer Richard Hunt’s vocal and performing skills, he just never raised my dough the way most of the other Muppets do. (raised my dough?) So I’m fighting against that bias here. Bear with me.
There have been two other Scooter action figures in Palisades’ line so far, the “Signature Version” in his green Muppet Show jacket, and a Superhero Scooter based on his attire in the Lynda Carter episode of The Muppet Show. So this is the third, and possibly the last Scooter we’ll see. It’s based on a brief section from The Muppets Take Manhattan, when Kermit’s friends all leave him in NYC to go find jobs of their own, hoping to make it on their own until they can all reunite to get their show on Broadway. Scooter gets a job as a movie usher, where he meets Lew Zealand, the Swedish Chef, and a few other crazies, all of whom he brings back with him when he returns to the Big Apple.
Palisades’ version of Scooter has him in his Movie Usher outfit, and they’ve made some improvements to Scooter from the initial version we got. And although he’s still not perfect, he’s quite a bit better than he was. His head shape is a bit narrower…the earlier Scooter looks like he’s got the mumps in comparison. No one gets the mumps anymore. That’s a shame. His glasses are a bit smaller, and he’s a touch shorter and leaner, all of which are improvements…I always thought the Series 3 Scooter was a bit large, but what do I know? A lot. Too much for your simple human language to express. Uh…anyway.
Scooter’s clothing is burgundy and brown with gold trim; his little round Usher Cap covers his yarn-like twists of red hair, and Palisades has added a “Muppet Theatre” logo on his back. He’s more posable than the previous Scooter was, able to sit down easily…which may not necessarily enhance the play value of the character, but it’s a nice touch.
Scooter only comes with one accessory, but it’s one that’s bigger than he is. The giant red popcorn cart is a masterpiece of miniature making, and in fact if anyone out there collects dolls in a six inch scale, this is something that would be a great gift for you. So bully someone into buying it. The transparent case holds the mass of popcorn inside, and there’s space on a sort of countertop for other accessories (like the soft drinks from the earlier Scooter’s package), and storage underneath the popper for other things. It’s like an instant display, and although I was really lukewarm on the figure AND the popcorn cart, after I got them with my other Muppets, I really liked them. Because ya gotsta have your popcorn.
I had two problems with this figure, both are paint related. First, it seems I got the ultra-rare Cold Sore Variant Scooter, because along his mouth there were two paint blisters that mar his otherwise foamy visage. It’s not a big deal to me, but could be a sign of other problems with this particular series. The other problem I had was after opening Scooter, his jacket was extremely tacky. Not tacky as in out of date or unstylish, but tacky as in sticky. VERY sticky. That’s diminished over the last few days as he’s been out of the package, but it was alarming enough that I didn’t want him rubbing up against any of my other toys. Sticky Scooter. Blah.
These are minor issues, and if you’re a fan of Scooter or if you just want that bigass popcorn machine, this is a great little figure.
You can find Palisades Toys Muppet Action Figures at Media Play, Suncoast, Sam Goody, Newbury Comics, and online at EB Games and other fine retailers. Get 'em while they're hot—and in Scooter’s case, sticky!
PALISADES TOYS MUPPET ACTION FIGURES
Series One:
Kermit the Frog http://www.epinions.com/content_81549233796
Miss Piggy http://www.epinions.com/content_81637707396
Dr. Teeth http://www.epinions.com/content_81569549956
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew http://www.epinions.com/content_81822191236
Beaker w/Muppet Labs Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_81755606660
Series Two:
Fozzie Bear http://www.epinions.com/content_85935820420
Gonzo the Great http://www.epinions.com/content_98463813252
Crazy Harry http://www.epinions.com/content_98525613700
Floyd Pepper http://www.epinions.com/content_98514865796
Animal w/Electric Mayhem Stage Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_98538262148
Series Three:
Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_91825081988
Lew Zealand http://www.epinions.com/content_91457293956
Rowlf http://www.epinions.com/content_90764316292
Zoot http://www.epinions.com/content_91549830788
Swedish Chef w/Swedish Kitchen Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_98725432964
Series Four:
Link Hogthrob http://www.epinions.com/content_105889107588
Dr. Julius Strangepork http://www.epinions.com/content_105892187780
Rizzo the Rat http://www.epinions.com/content_105903591044
Samuel Arrow http://www.epinions.com/content_105895988868
Koozebane Kermit http://www.epinions.com/content_113299066500
Series Five:
Gonzo and Camilla http://www.epinions.com/content_115081186948
Pepe http://www.epinions.com/content_117043138180
Janice http://www.epinions.com/content_117029899908
Muppet Newsman http://www.epinions.com/content_117058145924
Series Six:
Statler http://www.epinions.com/content_120983948932
Waldorf http://www.epinions.com/content_120987487876
Patrol Bear Fozzie http://www.epinions.com/content_120963501700
Clifford http://www.epinions.com/content_120939515524
Pigs In Space Playset http://www.epinions.com/content_134628544132
Series Seven:
Kermit as Captain Smollet http://www.epinions.com/content_135481364100
Frog Scout Robin http://www.epinions.com/content_135578947204
Beauregard http://www.epinions.com/content_135557975684
Johnny Fiama http://www.epinions.com/content_135581634180
Series Eight:
Sam Eagle http://www.epinions.com/content_147964202628
Movie Usher Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_147937201796
Marvin Suggs http://www.epinions.com/content_147934580356
Dr. Phil Van Neuter http://www.epinions.com/content_147964202628
Muppet Exclusives:
Adventure Kermit http://www.epinions.com/content_134654889604
MUPPET PVCS
Set 1 http://www.epinions.com/content_119826517636
Set 2 http://www.epinions.com/content_119837462148
Muppet Christmas Carol 1 http://www.epinions.com/content_120237952644
Muppet Christmas Carol 2 http://www.epinions.com/content_120245292676
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
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Epinions.com ID:
JediKermit
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Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Reviews written: 2122
Trusted by: 597 members
About Me:
Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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