Review: Hot Wheels 1989 Movie Batwing

I consider my collection of bat-vehicles somewhat modest. Sure, I've got a few, but nowhere near the number I'd like to have. Part of that is simply a reflection of reality: no one's made most of the vehicles I want (at least not in the detail and scale I'm after). Okay, I shouldn't say no one, but I don't exactly have fifteen hundred dollars burning a hole in my pocket.
A good example of this is the Batwing. I'm still waiting for one of these in a larger scale. I also really want several of the planes from the Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League, as well as the Batmobile from Batman Beyond. I'd pay good money for any of those in a similar size and level of detail as the Hot Wheels 1966 car. In the meantime, I've got to make due with the model kit I put together a few years ago and this, a miniature version I found at Toys R Us.
I've seen these advertised as 1:50 scale, but I'm not sure they're actually that big. If I measured right, this is about 3 1/4 inches long and has a 4 inch wingspan. So if this is really 1:50, that means the original was thirteen feet long. It's been a while since I saw the movie, but that seems off to me.
Hot Wheels is of course a subsidiary of Mattel, who makes almost all of DC Comics mass-market toys.
A good example of this is the Batwing. I'm still waiting for one of these in a larger scale. I also really want several of the planes from the Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League, as well as the Batmobile from Batman Beyond. I'd pay good money for any of those in a similar size and level of detail as the Hot Wheels 1966 car. In the meantime, I've got to make due with the model kit I put together a few years ago and this, a miniature version I found at Toys R Us.
I've seen these advertised as 1:50 scale, but I'm not sure they're actually that big. If I measured right, this is about 3 1/4 inches long and has a 4 inch wingspan. So if this is really 1:50, that means the original was thirteen feet long. It's been a while since I saw the movie, but that seems off to me.
Hot Wheels is of course a subsidiary of Mattel, who makes almost all of DC Comics mass-market toys.
Appearance and Construction: 6/10

I'm being a little strict here, but I feel like I have to be. Ultimately, this looks good for a toy, but not for a collectible. And I consider this a collectible, so I'm going to score it accordingly.
In terms of sculpt, I have very few complaints. This is well detailed (though it could be more so), and the shape looks right. The paint on the missiles, guns, and front lights is neatly applied, though that's all there is. I'd have liked to see some subtle weathering or shading, but it's not here.
The real problem here is with construction rather than appearance. When I think of Hot Wheels, I think die cast, and if there's any metal in this thing, I haven't found it yet. To be fair, the packaging doesn't make any claims as to the material, but that doesn't change the fact that it should be made of metal.
In terms of sculpt, I have very few complaints. This is well detailed (though it could be more so), and the shape looks right. The paint on the missiles, guns, and front lights is neatly applied, though that's all there is. I'd have liked to see some subtle weathering or shading, but it's not here.
The real problem here is with construction rather than appearance. When I think of Hot Wheels, I think die cast, and if there's any metal in this thing, I haven't found it yet. To be fair, the packaging doesn't make any claims as to the material, but that doesn't change the fact that it should be made of metal.
I'm also less than thrilled with the cockpit and hatch, which look toyish and cheap. The clear plastic is rough in spots, which drags down the overall impression.
The underside of the plane maintains the impressive level of sculpted detail from the toy, but it loses points for the trademark info brightly printed on the right wing in white. I'm no expert on legal matters, but I sincerely doubt there would have been any major issues just printing that on the underside of the stand. If it had to be on the plane, Mattel should have printed it smaller and used a darker color to conceal it. From a visual standpoint, this is decent but lacks any real impact, an issue that will come up again later in the review. |
Packaging and Extras: ----
The package looks fine, incorporating elements from the Hot Wheels brand and the movie. It's nothing exceptional, but it's less wasteful than Hasbro's similarly sized Star Wars vehicles.
The back is a little less interesting, containing far too much text. The pictures at the top are helpful, though, in that they allow the buyer to verify at a glance that this is, in fact, the only one of these vehicles worth buying. Okay, so I kind of want the boat, too.
The only extra you get is a base, which I'm kind of torn on. On one hand, it does allow for some posing (see below), and I appreciate that it holds the plane a few inches off the ground.
On the other hand, the scalloped arm looks stupid, and there's no excuse for the base not being painted. Also, I want to mention that the stand is backwards in the photo on the package: it only attaches right if the scalloped edge faces back, rather than forward. Obviously, I won't deduct anything for packaging, by I felt it warranted mentioning. |
You could make a case that the base wasn't required, but you could also make a case that at this price point there should have been two (if not three) toys in a package. I'm going to be nice and declare this category a wash.
Play and Display: +1

This one was close, because there are a few features I think should have been included but weren't.
First up, there's no folding landing gear. To be fair, you can definitely make a case it would have gotten in the way, but I'm sure Mattel could have finagled a way to make it work if they'd actually cared.
I also think the flaps on the wings could have been separate, articulated pieces, though that would also have taken some effort. Also, in case you were wondering, there's no scissors, detachable missiles, or anything of the sort.
The hatch does open, though it's not easy and I'd recommend caution. Also, it doesn't open far, and the inside isn't all that interesting, anyway.
I am reluctantly giving this a bonus point for the ball-joint that connects the bottom of the plane to the base. It's certainly nothing exceptional, and it only gives you a little movement, but it's really all you need. First up, forget about spinning: unless you want to try whittling down the arm (not recommended), it won't allow it. What you do have is a small amount of forward/backward tilt and some banking from side to side. It's not fantastic, but it's something.
First up, there's no folding landing gear. To be fair, you can definitely make a case it would have gotten in the way, but I'm sure Mattel could have finagled a way to make it work if they'd actually cared.
I also think the flaps on the wings could have been separate, articulated pieces, though that would also have taken some effort. Also, in case you were wondering, there's no scissors, detachable missiles, or anything of the sort.
The hatch does open, though it's not easy and I'd recommend caution. Also, it doesn't open far, and the inside isn't all that interesting, anyway.
I am reluctantly giving this a bonus point for the ball-joint that connects the bottom of the plane to the base. It's certainly nothing exceptional, and it only gives you a little movement, but it's really all you need. First up, forget about spinning: unless you want to try whittling down the arm (not recommended), it won't allow it. What you do have is a small amount of forward/backward tilt and some banking from side to side. It's not fantastic, but it's something.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 7/10

I want to be crystal clear about something: I knew what I was getting when I picked this up off the shelf. But I picked it up anyway. And I carried it to the cash register, where I paid $10.49 plus tax for this thing.
This isn't worth that kind of money. This is exactly what it's labeled as: a Hot Wheels vehicle, and it should be priced accordingly. But Mattel isn't stupid: they know that Batman collectors will spend what they have to if there's no other way to get a toy. And so they exploit that knowledge, marking these up to absurd prices.
If anyone from Mattel is listening, I only have one thing to say about that: PLEASE EXPLOIT ME MORE!
Yeah, okay: I'm not thrilled with this, but I'm still happy to have it. I don't like that I had to check the shelves month after month, waiting for one of these to survive wave after wave of scalpers. But now I've got it, and my Batmobile collection is a little fuller.
So... how about making one of these with a one foot wing span? What about the Batman Beyond batmobile? You could charge me fifty bucks each for those, and I'd pay it. Come on, Mattel: I've still got some money! What are you waiting for?
This isn't worth that kind of money. This is exactly what it's labeled as: a Hot Wheels vehicle, and it should be priced accordingly. But Mattel isn't stupid: they know that Batman collectors will spend what they have to if there's no other way to get a toy. And so they exploit that knowledge, marking these up to absurd prices.
If anyone from Mattel is listening, I only have one thing to say about that: PLEASE EXPLOIT ME MORE!
Yeah, okay: I'm not thrilled with this, but I'm still happy to have it. I don't like that I had to check the shelves month after month, waiting for one of these to survive wave after wave of scalpers. But now I've got it, and my Batmobile collection is a little fuller.
So... how about making one of these with a one foot wing span? What about the Batman Beyond batmobile? You could charge me fifty bucks each for those, and I'd pay it. Come on, Mattel: I've still got some money! What are you waiting for?
I usually have something to say about Batman over at my blog: you can find that here. Want fiction? Try my other site. More pictures? Keep scrolling!