Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Cannonball Mater & CSI: Mater Blowing Bubbles & Wheel Colors (UPDATE!)
There a couple new Mater’s out … Cannonball Mater from Mater Tall Tales – nice detailed throughout …
Yes, the helmet is plastic but to be fair, helmets in real life are plastic … really, really thick plastic …
But solid and more importantly detailed – from the cool hubcaps to everything from the back view – great.
And one of the first releases from the Final Lap Series … Blowing Bubbles Mater which raises a couple questions …
Compared to regular rusted Mater (on right) … what’s up with yellow tire rim?
First, we’ll answer the easy question – when exactly is he blowing a bubble?
Right ‘cher … in the courtroom representing McQueen …
But as you can – even dark not yellow tires. Maybe a hint of a lighter color.
However, this particular court room screen grab scene was probably the one designers used as the ‘modeling’ point …
After careful examination, it does look like the left side rims are light gray or faded light gray as his original rims … Micky sends along this great photo to show that faded light gray is a perfect faded match from his “Brand New Mater” days …
While it is more subtle in the film, you can see evidence of the light gray left rims …
Though it is NOT consistent as you can see later while out in the street watching McQueen … the rims are brown – when in theory, in bright “sunlight” conditions, it should be easy to see.
But outside here – definitely yes …
But testing the first try at McQ’s road building – a little dark but close enough …
So, what does it mean?
The summary is that in general and broad terms – everything is in the computer and the software is programmed to reflect the changing conditions of that portion of that element (in this case, his back right tire rims) – since it’s not a large reflective surface, the computer software in theory only has to track its position relative to other elements on the screen – obviously it goes where the back axle & car goes) and the changing light conditions – source and direction.
So if I had to guess, they factored in the rust scenario of Mater from when he was a brand new truck and the yellowing streaks represented the gradient colors left on his rims (of course, as with the rest of his color scheme, rust is not an even process) BUT either when rendering so many other elements, they stopped running the back tire rim color software sequence or in some scenes, it was deemed too distracting to the overall scene – in the dark scene, are we watching the two bright yellow marks near his back tire or the rest of the scene? So, they adjusted that software sequence in those scenes to darken the yellow streaks … to make them not stand out … or it’s a combination of both …
And yes, you could argue that light gray should not really “rust” into yellow (or gold) streaks but perhaps he drove through a mini tidal pool of yellow paint at some point … (or as others point out – simply found the nearest rim replacement which happened to be yellow).
But when designing the diecast and in looking at this ‘approved” screen asset (presumably) …
They added in some yellow elements … and of course, much more work to try to paint some of the rim yellow – easier just to spray on yellow consistently throughout.
So, not necessarily correct to have Mater have yellow rims but in context, understandable that Mattel figured it was correct.
UPDATE – What caused the confusion is that on my rims, the left ones are slightly more washed out and when I first looked at it in darker light, it looked more yellow and I didn’t really think about it but in photographing it under lights, it is evident it is light gray … so NO variant just normal subtle differences …
Mine versus Micky’s Blowing Bubbles Mater which is definitely more blue …
Bottom line – excellent detailing from Mattel. Probably a little brighter than should be but ultimately, a nice touch of adhering to all the details. So again, as with any ‘wash’ item, there will be subtle differences but that’s all it is – very subtle differences as you see in the two examples above.
So, Micky, Dan & Michael – thanks for checking out your CARS and sending photos – I think it’s cleared up. Thanks!
Okay, NOW I have see everything, I think 🙂
| « Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Fat, Wide or Thin – Who Can Remember What Pitty is What? | Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: The Dinoco Team Crew Conglomerate … » |
29 September 2009
98 Comments
Blowing Bubbles mater is SOOO SUPER CUTE
I just checked my son’s Blowing Bubbles Mater, and the rear wheels are one of each color; 1 yellow and 1 baby blue…are all the same??
(MET; Yea, that is correct).
thanks!
NICE Update..can;t wait till these arrive in Canada….oh yeah, nevermind….
I like to blow bubbles in the bathtub…hehehehe
Speaking of detailed investigation…..
I was getting ready to crack open sarges boot camp and decided I didn’t really need another sarge – but lo an behold – IT IS DIFFERENT!! (did Met post on this yet??)
If not – take a look!! New sarge has yellow stripes on the side vs the original white stripes – also the stenciling on the hood (on either side of the star) are different as well! So would this be considered another variant???
If this was covered I apologize……….If not…..YAY!! or maybe not yay…….
Collect them all?? 😉
(MET: On its way – as soon as I get it, I’ll let you know 🙂 ).
Seems like Mattel’s plants have too much yellow paint and don’t know what to do with it.
New Sarge is also missing the USA above the star on the side of his hood. He is different from all previous Sarges, DB, SC, Lenticular.
salute to met for such detailed investigation
Here’s “actual size” Mater, but guess who’s blocking our view of his rear wheel!
Ka-Chow!
Sorry, the link didn’t post:
http://albums.mouseplanet.com/Disneyland-Holiday-2007/Disneyland_MP_121207_40.jpg
what’s up with yellow tire rim? i think lightning was pissed at him for putting a rocket on his top.
Oh, shoot!
I forgot to tell you guys what I found at one of our Walmarts today.
Mater’s Tall Tales, all of the SINGLES were mixed into the end cap CARS trays, and the Megas(what there were) were on the pegs with the regular Megas. Choppers from round 1, and ONE Cannonball Mater!
Of course, when I got to the register, “Item Not Found”….I wondered if he might have been returned(purchased from Kmart that’s almost next door to this WM?).
One good thing….Cannonball had a price sticker, so I got him for $6.47
Singles were $4.97, so no savings there.
Toons singles were $4.97?
That is correct. Kmarts around here have varied from $4.49 to $4.99 for RSM Singles, RSM Megas have run from $7.99 to $8.79. TRU has varied between $6.99 and $7.99 for Megas, $4.99 for Singles.
Time to buy Mattel stock!
Come on guys, if you watch the movie, the first time that Mater appears in the impound he has one blue-ish rim on the back left side and the rim on the right side is yellow-ish, that is why BBM has one blue- ish and one yellow-ish.
I remember that the life size Mater in California Adventure had a yellow rim….
I found the cannonball mater yesterday at KMart! it was pretty exciting, they had quite a few of them too. I cant WAIT to finally find the final lap cars though, i need to call target again and see if they have them in yet
Anyone have a little mirror I can borrow to see what the right rear wheel color is before I open the wrong box and ruin a variant that might bring in enough money to buy a 2010 Camaro?
Sorry, that should be LEFT rear! I forgot that Mater’s facing to the right.
I just checked the 3 I have and the rim on the passenger rear is silver. Of course I’m not willing to open the package to check the other side.
Use a flashlight and see if you get a reflection on the rear of the card! 🙂
I tried the flashlight thing but still could tell what color the rim was 🙁
I think the variant will be on that passenger wheel. So if that is not yellow, then you should have the normal version, in my opinion.
mine is silver on all 4 too!
Dag-Gum Dudes!!! Love them lil variations!!
nice new avatar!
Dude-Avatar-Dude!
It’s kid friendly, murpheeie approved 🙂
I’ve noticed that if you turn Mater 3.5 degrees toward the South-Southwest during a sunny afternoon in the Northern Hemisphere, you can see what looks like a cop artist’s sketch of Lee Harvey Oswald on the front left fender. In the Southern Hemisphere, it looks like Jack Ruby.
OK I got it…in the courtroom scene above, Mater’s rim appears golden. Below that picture is Mater from a different angle (other side) and his rim appears light blue. So…Mater Blowing Bubbles has one yellow rim and one light blue rim, very cool 🙂
MET – Look at your watercolor from Martin. The back wheel rim looks yellow to me in that picture as well. If the master says its so, then it probably is so……
My Mater Blowing Bubbles has the yellow rim as pictured above but the other side, the rim is light blue.
(MET: On the back? Interesting – send a pic …:-) ).
So is mine….Met yours isn’t? That was one of the points to my idea above.
Met,
Just sent you photos 🙂
Mine too. Looks almost lavender.
or gray
Met, I think the real answer is “outside the box” excuse the term
🙂
I think Mater had to have one of his wheels replaced. He runs a junkyard. The only one he had access to that was the right size was yellow. I have seen a lot of pictures of Mater from the movie and the right rear tire appears to be a light blue/gray. The left rear appears to be yellow. I think they didn’t rust like his front rims becuase his front rims are convex and his rear rims are concave. In cars universe the convex rims would be more exposed to the elements like sunlight, sand, rocks, etc., therefore making the paint wear off and the rims rust and faster than the rear rims.
This is my theory…can we get an answer from someone at Pixar?
🙂
BTW, the next time I go to Disneyland I will run by the life sized Mater really quick. I think he also has a yellow rim.
This was exactly my thinking. Mater not only lives in a junkyard, he’s junk himself. He prolly has to change wheels fairly often, ’cause his tires are always crummy.
Yeah…I don’t see him rolling in to Luigi’s too often to pick up a new set of rims. He is trying to cut down on his carbon footprint by running on used tires.
🙂
wow great post met!!
The bubble Mater is blowing looks like blue bubble gum and not a saliva bubble (which is what it was :))
**Does anyone else remember a product called “Super Elastic Bubble Plastic”?
It came in a squeeze tube, with a heavy duty straw…..you squeezed out a little ball onto the straw, then blew (almost your brains out!) to make this really psychedelic colored balloon.
Smelled something like the old modeling glues that they banned years ago.
(MET: Not banned, you can still buy it – pretty much smells like gasoline in a tube (don’t inhale!) … sometimes you’ll see it at Target in their $1 bin).
Heck yeah! I have some of that stuff at home.. I don’t think it is still banned. Maybe they changed the make up of the goo?
Some time ago, I found the tube that I had in the drawer of the desk in the room I grew up at my folk’s house…..it was as hard as a rock!
I never could get that stuff to blow into a bubble!
Anyone else have better luck?
I’m sure they did reformulate that stuff to get rid of the odor!
I actually had luck blowing bubbles. I used to love that stuff! But even as a kid, I kinda thought this stuff can’t be safe. Mainly due to that smell. Didn’t stop the bubbles though.
Yes I remember it. In fact I can almost smell it now LOL 🙂
Some things are locked in your memory forever, and I think that smell is one of them!
My older sister always had that stuff….It was kind of a petrolium, acetone -ish smell….really weird. I never understood the entertainment value….maybe it was the fumes that she loved
😉
NICE POST!! Great MET!!
I wasn’t so keen on getting “Blowin’ Bubbles Mater” but now that I know he has a yellow wheel rim, I gotta have him! (Maybe that was what Mattel was thinking all along????)
I walked into Target this morning, not planning to find anything, which would be a typical visit. As I was heading over to the toy dept, I thought I’d take a chance and see what the in-store scanner showed if I put in the Final Lap DPCI.
What did it show? YES
Nothing on the pegs, but I found a very helpful young lady who punched the numbers in her handheld and said she’d go see what she could find.
What did she walk out of the back room with? Yup, a sealed case of Final Lap CARS!
She asked if I knew which ones I wanted. I told her that I might be taking the entire contents! There was an empty cart nearby, so she let me have the case and I emptied out the contents. Easier to take everything and bring back any unwanted cars, like The King and the other oldies. Contents are correct, with 4 each of the 3 new releases.
According to their inventory system, another store, some distance away, also received a case. But when I called, they checked and said it wouldn’t be available until the 11th(which, technically, is the day they SHOULD be available, if I remember Met’s info correctly). That’s fine, if I need more I’ll be there.
So a pretty good CARS day!
(MET: EDIT)
Whoa…… A little extreme don’t you think? Who p#ssed in your coffee this morning?
* * * * * * * REBUTTAL * * * * * * *
“John” is not to be confused with “John in Missouri”!!
Once again, NEVER will he be confused with “John in Missouri”. 😉
ummm .. wow this is twice in the last week that you have decided to criticize someone that you ONCE AGAIN have no idea who you are talking to… FIRST of all LAST time you jumped all over jeffs case because he picked up cases as well … well just for your 411 JOHN jeff needs 3 of everything… not to mention ALOT of people on this board need more than 1 per case.. i know 2 people of the top of my head that have 5 kids on their own there for would need at LEAST 5 of each.. AND JOHN if you are going to call him a horder you might as well open up yourself to battle everyone on here because anyone and everyone that can get a case is trying to. so to call another individual out is pretty stupid.. maybe you are jealous you dont have a case to call your own?? WELL i bet if you were nice instead of the jerk you appear to be there would be people that would help you out…
AND HE SHOULD BE PROUD OF HIMSELF .. and YOU SIR are the JERK
First off, it is NONE of your DAMN business how many cars ANY of us BUY….iamspeed offers these to MANY of us, often for NO or little markup!
How long have you been reading this forum?? The other day you attacked jestrjef, THE MOST PROLIFIC HELPER on Take5 and now iamspeed…WTF is YOUR problem…do your homework, pay attention and smarten up!!
Choose your battles WISELY because you will be AMAZED how quickly MANY people back up the guys you have chosen to attack!!!
What a jerk! Not you Tim, whoever this John guy is. If these actually had a real street date there would be a huge bright sticker on the box that says “Do Not Put on the Floor until…”. But the case I had brought out from the back today DID NOT have any sticker on it. As a former Target employee, I am guessing the Oct 11th may be a sales plan date they have to set. Since Oct 11th falls on a Sunday, it could also mean that these are gonna be in the ad and are for an endcap. Of course, the reason could be none of the above and Target and Mattel just want to screw with us.
(MET: BTW – The “sell-by” date is an agreement between the retailer and the manufacturer – not with the consumer. We agree not to go into the backroom and grab stuff but once it’s on the SELLING FLOOR and other than recall items, we are free to purchase – as long as we pay for it before leaving the store, it’s ours).
PS. I grabbed 3 each of the new ones in the case John. Is that ok with you?
Hey jerk:
For your information, any extras beyond those for myself ARE going to fellow TakeFivers and other friends overseas who won’t have any other way to get them!
Target didn’t have any problem bringing them out to sell, so what’s your problem?
I don’t sell CARS on Ebay, if that’s what you’re implying, so get off your high horse and bite me.
Good for you iamspeed!!! We got your back! I don;t what crawled up this guys bumper, but I for one, am not going to listen to his whining, especially when I don;t see ANY of his offerings on the Trade Forum, trying to help out his fellow collectors!!!
He’s just mad because he is a dirty old troll, stuck under his dirty old bridge and can’t crawl out to get to Target. Maybe the pigeons crapped on his head one too many times today?
My reply to “John” doesn’t make much sense now that his comments have been removed, does it?
All of these replies just go to show how much of a FAMILY this little thing called TakeFiveADay has become!!!
Thanks, both guys and gals, for backing me up.
You betcha brother!
Just the opposite, now you look as crazy as Mel Gibson in “Lethal Weapon” with your crazy outbursts and all!
Just kidding!
I knewed I made a good choice!! (Mater Voice)
MET:EDIT is such a beautiful thing!
Whoa, Mia my dear…what did you do to get edited?
🙂
For that matter what did this John guy say?
email me at longsnapper52 at gmail dot com
I need to get let in on the drama…I missed it.
By the way JOHN….I bought 3 of each 1 set for my son and two sets to trade to people who couldn’t find them in other parts of the country. Sorry.
She did not get Met:Edit’d silly boy, she is saying that John (not from Missouri) getting Met Edit’d for his ignorant comments is a beautiful thing!
Hey PirateDad… MET:EDIT!
🙂
HAHAHAHAH! I can only guess what is behind the MET:EDIT 🙂 that’s funny. Like Mad Libs!
Maybe from now on I can edit myself when I feel the need to say something horrible MIA:EDIT
First off where do you think you have the right to judge others? There is a book of laws that we have in effect. Those are the ones people must follow not your self imposed ones. You sound very angry, perhaps some anger management classes would do you well. Jeanne is right about jealousy also. Listen if one feels like buying 24 Polly Puddle Jumpers it is not your business. She is also correct that if you were nice to the right people you would have everything you ever wanted fast and cheap. I am also very sick of people saying how profiting off childrens toys is wrong. Let me tell you from the big corporations on down it’s always about money. When I take my son to the Ballgame, the billionare owner still wants 1,500.00 for my son to have a good seat. Otherwise, here’s the cheap seat kid. Or when my child wants the latest videogame system the billion dollar corporation don’t say,ah it’s for your child, you don’t have to pay us 300.00 for something that cost us 25.00 to make. If anything your anger should be directed at Mattel and The stores. Why don’t they order enough? Why do they purposely limit the amount they produce? Why is it, that the big corporations always have enough of what they want to have? I’ll tell you another thing, when I was trying to catch up with all the old stuff my son didn’t have, I had to pay good money for some. No one said ah you need Transberry juice that I got for 4 dollars at kmart 1 day for your son? give me 8. No by then everyone knew they were tough to get, so they marked it up five hundred to 600 percent. I paid it and didn’t cry about it either,but I did learn from it. So now I will make some money like the others did from me when it was for my child and if you don’t like it it’s too bad. By the way, did you ever realize most of the cars are going into childrens hands who’s parents have good friends here that look out for them or who’s parents live in other countries that have a Stronger currency than we do now. So if the people buying extras are making money and people overseas are happy to pay more. That’s called a win-win situation. So stop your crying and insulting, make some friends and use the system instead of trying to change it.
I love your post. Hey can you direct me to your eBay site? I’m looking for Polly also. Thnx!
Thank you for the kind words, but since you were nice to me, Ebay will not be necessary for you to get Polly. Instead contact me directly at sijack1@aol.com. How does all three new ones for 18.50 sound? 1 dollar more if you are out of the country plus actual shipping. Thanks
Don’t know what you posted, but judging from the replies, I can imagine.
Let me say that while I have not have the opportunity to deal with iamspeed, he has offered to help me after one of my (numerous) vents about Canada not getting anything. It was clear he was not doing for money! iamspeed owes me nothing, yet he offered to help. For that I thank him.
As for whatever you posted, might I suggest changing your name (and attitude) if you wish to post further?
Yeah, like a few others, I’m jumping in after what was said is now gone. Whether or not anyone cares about my two cents, I’m putting them in anyway.
I’m an opener – buy one of each for my son to play with. I don’t like when I get to the store and find nothing there, but then find stuff all over eBay (and other sites) with major mark up. But I don’t blame the T5AD crew for that. And those who do sell for reasonable profit – power to them. We all know how expensive this addiction is, so they are entitled to make money back.
If you’re new, then you clearly don’t understand that we operate as extended family here. You can’t judge collectors here like collectors anywhere else. It’s only cause I’m soooo broke right now that I can’t connect with everyone, but we all know who’s naughty and nice. I can’t even think of a naughty one who’s still on here. If you’ve been following this site for a while, then you have no excuse for your nasty tone. Why would someone openly brag about hoarding here? And name calling emphasizes what point?
Like Jack said, complain to Mattel – in fact, the petition, as slow going as it may be, is still open and linked to my name. Complain there or contact the company directly.
People like iamspeed help those like me stuck in Mississauga (barren Cars wasteland) until Mattel gets in right. I have no beef with the T5AD crew. Whatever the reason for collecting, at the end of the day, we all have the same goal – help each other out.
T5AD crew, keep doing what you do.
WOOOO HOOOO GOT THE MET EDIT there we go!
Hay you guys just a thought but maybe we are giving him exactly what he wants. He has done this twice in three days so im starting to think either he is a real idiot or he is getting he jollies from us attacking him back. maybe if we pretend he is not here, he will just go away. Sorry guys just a thought might be worth a try next time he strikes again.
I think you are exactly right 🙂 That is the nature of trolls like him. Stir up a fight on blogs, etc by posting something absolutely ridiculous. Next time, we all ignore him if there is a next time………
I think you might be right too. I keep thinking about his charming personality and disposition and yet he collects little toy cars with cute little faces on them. What? It doesn’t fit for me.
Yep, I have read a lot of behavior modification books. If you want to extinguish an unwanted behavior, you must completely ignore it. Some people like negative attention even more than positive attention.
I always miss the good stuff.
ok the name calling over toys is a little annoying…..
if you want them that bad ….. don’t stop to criticize someone else…. just go to Target and pick up your own set and leave what you don’t want behind….
I would like to know the story behind the outbursts though ….
Probably a Mattel distributor who can’t get his hands on Target exclusives.
It’s like deja vu, all over again!! I’ve been listening to the same arguing between toy collectors for over 25 years now!! It never gets old!!
Is Mater that dumb as to NOT close his eyes during a cannon blast? Or did they just spray on the black paint too much?
I think the smoke is from the fire he was engulfed in after going the ring of fire…..that, and the soot from the smoke after the pitty put out the fire!
You are right! I did not notice that he had soot in his eyes. I’d think that would hurt 😀
Same thing with Mega Frank. Painting the dirt/soot splatter is obviously the last step. I thought that was weird too
An airbrush can create beauty, or throw “spatter” on a perfect Frank or Mater’s eyes!
Somewhere on a college campus, an undergraduate is copying and pasting this into Word for his/her next English Class project!
My guess is that the model maker was given that same screenshot, confused the light reflecting off his rear wheels as yellow wheels, and voila!
If a yellow rusted rim squeaks on route 66 and no one is around to hear it, does it still need oil?
sure does. because you did say it squeaked. so that means it needs it, but no one was in the area to here it.
Just got our Blowing Bubbles Mater! The package is so nice and shiny looking-really don’t want my son to tear it all to shreds as he opens it!
Very deep…