More than three decades ago, one horror comedy film took the supernatural to hilarious new heights. Now, with an all-female ghost-busting crew at the helm, the Ghostbusters reboot is giving fans a chance to revel in the ghost wrangling once again.
Designed for kids ages 4 and up, Mattel’s new 6-inch Ghostbusters figures are just what fans need to get themselves hyped for the reboot’s July 15 release.
Decked out in supernatural-snatchin’ gear, the new figures—Erin Gilbert, Abby Yates, Patty Tolan, and Jillian Holtzmann—feature true-to-movie details that help make them feel more authentic. There’s even a small Ghostbusters logo on each figure’s right sleeve, which I love. Although they all bear a resemblance to their big-screen stars, some figures match their real life versions better than others. The Abby Yates figure, for example, is a questionable Melissa McCarthy, while the Jillian Holtzmann figure looks eerily similar to SNL-great Kate McKinnon. But despite these slight differences, kids won’t let it stop them from pretending to hunt the most evil of spirits.
Most of the figure is made up of hard plastic, but other parts—like the the blaster, hose, and forearms—are made of rubber. The proton backpack is made of a much lighter plastic than the actual figure, but it still feels durable enough to hold up against the most rambunctious play sessions.
What I enjoy and appreciate most about each figure is its extended range of maneuverability. Despite its size, Mattel manages to pack 16 points of articulation into the 6-inch frame. Each one sports a ball-jointed neck and shoulders, peg-jointed elbows, swivel wrists, thighs, and waist, and bendable knees and feet. In short, these figures are far from a fixed chunk of plastic and rubber. A variety of different poses means more creative role-play, and more creative role-play means more infectious fun for everyone.
What’s neat about these figures is that each one comes with an accessory that makes up part of a whole. Kids can purchase all four Ghostbuster gals to collect and connect the Rowan figure, a spooky specter that kind of looks like an evil Michelin Man/Pillsbury Doughboy hybrid. He even has a bowtie. Once Rowan is complete, kids will have a ghoulish villain to go against their team of ghost-wrangling girls.
Mattel’s new Ghostbusters figures will facilitate young imaginations during play time, and the figures’ ability to self-stand makes them perfect for post-play display. All in all, these figures are sure to make a great addition to any kids’ arsenal of toys.
