Up close with Superman Returns Metropolis Set

[David Tilley]

Well, now that the set has arrived in the UK (Toys R Us - £19.99 - Matchbox section, not Superman section) I thought it was about time for another in my line of the "Up Close" series.


And proof that I did spend all of 2 minutes at home with a sealed package before ripping it apart. I can do it. I was getting the shivers, sweat was pouring off me, and my hands were itching to get at it, but I managed to take a few photos of the set still in one piece.

Ah that's better! One loose, fully functioning set. When you put it together, it does look as if it stands quite high up in the air. However, it is only marginally higher than the Buried Treasure or Mummy's Gold sets. It is simply an illusion, due to it being much narrower, and the tallness of the skyscrapers.

So, as with the majority of playsets, there is an elevator on the left hand side to lift the vehicle up to the top; of (this time) the skyscraper.


When the elevator hits the top, a small tab pops out of the front of the top, which knocks off the Daily Planet globe, knocking it backwards. A great deal of effort (I think) has been made to ensure that when the tab comes out, the globe always falls in the same direction. I tried it a lot of times, and it always falls the same way.

As was pointed out, there is a cardboard skyline in the rear of the set. At first I was not sure why, but now I can tell it is a great way of controlling the direction of the globe as it makes it's way down the ramp. Without the skyline, the globe has a tendancy to roll where it feels like, and not in the direction you want it to. Okay, it could have been made of plastic with stickers in the front for the windows, but I bet if it had been, then we may not have had the car with it. However, the cardboard is very thick and very secure, and does not detract from the overall effect in any way. I am happy with it.

Now did anyone notice a triangle indent in the ramp with the Superman logo?

The Superman and Lex Luthor figures with the set, have the triangular (well to be exact they are the shape of the Superman logo, or as I call it the "2 clipped corners triangle") bases to them, and you simply insert Superman into the ramp and he stops the globe from falling. Quite ingenious thinking. A lot of effort has been put into giving this set a lot of playability.

Then there is the car. It comes out the middle of the skyscraper, and rolls down the ramp.

When it slides down, it rolls into the waiting yacht.

And upon doing so, flips a button to release the yacht from the front of the set (The yacht is attached to the set via a clip).

It does actually have wheels underneath to allow it to roll along the floor.

There is a switcher in the middle of the ramp to control the direction of the items going down. Now officially, in the up position, it is better suited to the globe rolling down the ramp, and in the down position better suited for the car to go to the yacht. However, either does work either way.

I thought I would mention that, as the car is easier to photograph on the other ramp as it holds in place (globe just rolls straight off).

When it hits the bottom, it takes the edge of the ramp with it (supposedly imitating an earthquake). I guess that may be relevant to the film, but as I have not seen it yet, I have no idea.

Small note, you can drive through the bottom of the skyscraper.

So that's the set itself. A lot of activities rolled into one, and I should think a lot of fun for the kids. I will see what my niece thinks of it when she next visits. She likes the sets.

But wait! What about the accessories?

Here you go....


First off, we have the yacht. Pretty large this thing is.

Looking across the top, we see that there are 2 "clipped triangles" with the Superman logo in them. You can attach the 2 figures into these slots.

Now one thing that is noticeable on both these pictures is the small raised section on the front of the yacht. That points out the front. If it hits anything, something unsual happens.

The yacht splits in half, although still attached at the bottom in the middle. There are a few added details inside the middle. (I guess this may be something from the film too. I really should watch it).

Now something that intrigued me was Darrin's question. Does it float?

I put it in a bowl of water to find out. The answer.... No!

If you remember, I stated that it was clipped to the playset at the back. That clip is large enough to start letting the water in. It fills up the rear deck of the boat, and starts pulling it down rear first. Eventually it fills up the rest of the boat and it sinks (talking about 10 seconds or so).


2 figures of Superman and Lex Luthor. Both front and rear.

And finally, the one part that most collectors are interested in.


A light blue metallic 1965 Ford Mustang in the (now classic) 3/4 views front and rear. This model is really simply tampo printed.

It has a small amount of silver on the front for the lights, and picking out details and the Mustang badge.

And on the rear, just the lights depicted out in red.

I just want to point out that the alignment of the tampo printing on this is spot on. Absolutely perfect!

The metal base is in charcoal. Also of note is that it is made in Thailand. All the other parts to this set were constructed in China. Another note is that the prepros and the box artwork show the model to have the Superfast retro 5-spoke wheels. As can be seen above, it actually came iwth lace wheels. Personally, I think the retro wheels look better, but it doesn't detract in the slightest.

Overall, I think this is a truly awesome set. A great deal of thought and effort has been put in to giving this a lot of play value. There is a lot you can do with it.

I really, REALLY like it. Thank you Mattel for a winner in my view.

[D14D]

Darn it for not floating!

Thank You David for this www exclusive look into the new Matchbox Superman Returns Playset!

The Mustang is metal, NNNNNNNNIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCEEEEEEE! Most Mustangs fm that era have the multispoke wheels, so this actually looks great on it!

Is it just my imagination or does the Daily Planet Tower look awfully like The Empire State Building?

[840 840 840]

David nice review,thanks. Could you please do one more step and show the figures standing next to the Mustang, so I could get a perspective of their scale?
Crazy840

[SIRO CONVOY]

If you dont want the boat or car Charlie send them this way..

[David Tilley]

David nice review,thanks. Could you please do one more step and show the figures standing next to the Mustang, so I could get a perspective of their scale?
Crazy840

My pleasure Charley.

Here are the figures next to the car.

Uh-oh! Looks like some others have decided to join them!

[840 840 840]

Thank You, very much David.
Boy I sure wish Superman was closer to 1/64.
I do think this will be a good seller for Mattel and the boys.
Crazy840

[MRPAT]

Very interesting set there. But of course the Mustang is the best part.

[markkaz]

Thanks for the review! I will buy one and see how the kids like it.

[Jose]

I guess soon Superman will be saving the day in Mt. Matchbox...!

Thanks for the review, David. If it was compatible with Playtracks, I would be running to get one. Still, it's a fun set and I reckon it's going to be a winner.

[California Bob]

Very interesting set there. But of course the Mustang is the best part.

Shoot! The Mustang is really too nice to roll and smash into the various obstacles in this set. I'd substitute some other car for play and display the Mustang.

BTW, this set was spotted in the Superman promotional section of the Pinole Toys R Us store. So, it has arrived in northern California. However, with a $20.00 price tag and with all those pieces, I cannot think that I will be purchasing this one just to get that Mustang. But thanks, David, for the through pictural review!