Hailing from the Early Cretaceous of Niger, is one of my favorite theropod dinosaurs, the spinosaurid Suchomimus. Mattel released a wonderful figure of this animal earlier this year, in the short lived Jurassic World Chaos Theory line (which was like a filler line until the Rebirth toys released in the summer). It is based on one of several color variants used in the corresponding show, which specifically appeared in Season 2 of the show, released in October, 2024. That said it did briefly get some screen-time at the end of Season 1, released earlier in the year, in May, albeit with one of the other designs used. This appearance in Season 1 of Chaos Theory was surprisingly the first time Suchomimus has had an on-screen appearance in the Jurassic franchise, despite the plethora of films, or the precursor series to Chaos Theory, Camp Cretaceous. Despite this, Suchomimus itself has had a long history of sorts with the franchise.
Its first appearance in the Jurassic Park/World franchise was back in 1999 with the Playstation game Warpath: Jurassic Park, created by Dreamworks Interactive, where it was one of the playable creatures. It was only named a year prior by Sereno et al in 1998, and the fossil material was only found a year prior to that in 1997, in the Elrhaz Formation. From there it was name-dropped in Jurassic Park III in 2001. It also featured on the Jurassic Park Institute website during the same year, in addition to the corresponding Dinosaur Field Guide published the same year. Aside from a handful of mobile games, its next major tie to the franchise wouldn’t be until 2014, when the Jurassic World viral in-universe styled website went live, where it was featured with artwork from paleo-artist Julius Csotonyi. This design would go on to inspire the model used in the Jurassic World Evolution series of games, the first of which was released in 2018. During the same year, Mattel released the first Jurassic franchise toy of it (as well as a mini figure) for their Fallen Kingdom toy line, which resembled the 2014 website design (at least the colors used anyways, not so much the sculpt). Seven years later, we have yet another toy of it, with a new sculpt based on the one in the show (there’s also a mini released this year based on this new design). That said there was a set which might have released last year, had it not been canceled. This set featured the third color variant featured in the show, which also debuted in Season 2 of the show.
Moving focus back onto the real animal for a bit, its genus name means “crocodile mimic”, while its species name “tenerensis” means from the Ténéré desert, where it was found, and is also where the Elrhaz Formation currently lies. The formation is home to many other dinosaurs, like sauropod Nigersaurus, ornithopod Ouranosaurus, abelisaurid Kryptops, and other animals, like the gigantic crocodylomorph Sarcosuchus. It lived about 112 millions years ago, during the latter half of the Early Cretaceous period. Its closest relatives among the Spinosauridae appear to be Ceratosuchops (which also has a figure in the Chaos Theory line recently reviewed by Gwangi), and Riparovenator.
The anatomy of the design is pretty well scientifically informed, despite some stylizing for the show, and the toy’s sculpt, though there are a few issues. The shape of the head is a bit too wide from the front, and the upper jaw should perhaps be a bit taller from a side view. It does however feature the crest on the middle of the skull (though rather subtle, and should probably be more prominent), and the distinctive dip in the upper jaw that spinosaurids have. The figure does lack the crocodile-like interlocking over-sized teeth at the tip of the lower jaw, which the show design had, a feature not consistent with the current fossil material. While I’m not about to count the teeth, I do appreciate how thin and sharp they appear. This is from the change in using rubber teeth from plastic teeth in recent years, which I hope continues going forward. It’s a great way to keep the teeth looking more realistic then the dull plastic teeth in the past, and it helps to be even safer for children. Oh and no worries about paint mishaps in this area either as the rubber is a separate molded piece inserted into the jaw.
Moving on, the general body proportions are pretty close to the skeletal reconstructions included in the 1998 paper, and perhaps the recent 2022 paper from Sereno et al. The arms I think could be a bit larger, and unfortunately the claw on the first digit of the hands is about the same size as the other two digits, when it should be the largest. Aside from the shape of the jaws, the large claw on the first digit is another crucial aspect of spinosaurid anatomy (much like with Allosaurus and kin). This is consistent with the show’s design unfortunately. Running down the back of the figure is a ridge, if not a short sail, suggestive of those tall vertebrae Suchomimus had. The spine is the tallest over the hips, which is in line with the fossil material (and the show design). The third digit of the feet is the longest, which is correct. The tail is perhaps shorter then it could be, which is typical of Mattel’s Jurassic World figures, but at least it doesn’t look too unreasonably short.
The coloration of the figure is easily one of the most elaborately detailed on any of the main line figures from them. Leopard-like markings adore most of the figure, from the neck, body, and on some of the tail (although it’s worth noting the inspiration for the show design was from various patterns on snakes). The main body color is cast in an orange plastic, while the feet are glossy black. The belly is painted in a bright lime green coloration running down the neck to the pelvis. It’s worth noting the show design has the green running down nearly the full length of the tail, and of course the markings have been simplified on the figure in comparison. There is pink plastic for the roof of the mouth, the jaw tissue, and the inside of the lower jaw (including the tongue, which is rather long). The eyes are painted a red-orange color. Despite how detailed the paint work on the figure is overall, there are of course your typical budget restraints or cost cuts. In addition to the green belly paint stopping before the tail (and it should also be present on the lower jaw), various scars adore the sculpt of the figure, from the face to the tail, however paint has only been applied to a section of scars on the right side of the body, and a section on the tip of tail. The arms lack paint altogether (including the claws, as typical), and the inside of the legs lack paint as well, leaving some of the markings on the legs looking jarringly unfinished.
Articulation is pretty lacking, with the typical movement at the shoulders, and hips, and the tip of the tail. The feet can also be rotated at the ankles. Instead the figure has an action feature implementing the jaw, neck, and tail. Rotating the tail, rotates the neck in the same direction, and opens the jaw simultaneously. When the tail is moved down, it moves the neck up, and vice versa. That said when turning the tail all the way to the left (or right) causes the jaw to snap shut. The same for when the tail is moved all the way down. At least on my figure it does not close the jaw when the tail is moved all the way up, moving the neck and head downwards. This feature is honestly pretty fun to fiddle around with. It’s also worth mentioning the sculpt is adorned with tiny pebble-like scales all over it, in addition to the scarring. It also has one of those unfortunate pull tabs for the scan code on its side. The figure is about 14 inches/35.56 cm long, by 6 inches/15.24 cm tall. I won’t be getting a scale estimate as the proportions are a bit stylized here, despite being somewhat close.
Overall I adore this figure, and am glad this fascinating animal finally gets some long needed screen-time in the franchise. While I do still enjoy the earlier 2018 dragon-like sculpt, with its website inspired colors, this one is a tad more scientifically sound, and might be more pleasing to some. I’d recommend this one to anyone interested in collecting the Mattel Jurassic World toys, rather they have an interest in this animal, spinosaurids, or any of the on-screen species. I think it’s easily one of the better mainline figures, even if it lacks in articulation, it makes up for it with a fun action feature, and extensive paint work. I picked mine up from Target back in July I think while it was on clearance. It’s still available from Amazon, Big Bad Toy Store, if not others, despite releasing much earlier this year.
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