Packaging: The box is exactly like every other Max Steel box. If Ed Haney had not posted a couple of photos of Jeremy McGrath on the Action Heroes list, I never would have been looking. Max Steel should at least change their box color scheme every year so that customers can tell what the new merchandise is when they are walking by it in the aisle. Finally, Max Steel has a different face in the toyline!
Headsculpt: Jeremy McGrath is based on a World Champion moto-cross cyclist. The MX-250 Dirt Bike is Jeremy's ride, and it is conveniently available at most toy stores. The head is better than Max Steel, and I hope Mattel issues some more friends of Max Steel! The only negative is that it is a very soft rubber, unlke the G.I. Joe, Dragon, or Ultimate Soldier line. Max Steel had a harder head. Jeremy McGrath however has a soft head and he can get "Bitter-Beer-Face" when you just push his nose in slightly! Otherwise, Jeremy looks great, and Mattel should pat itself on the back for making some forward progress with Max Steel!
Articulation: This body is the basic body style. Considering that Mattel is charging $20. just for the figure (Celebrity Action Figure prices); the body should have been the ultra-articulated. Shouldn't Jeremy McGrath, a super Dirt Biker, have ultra-articulated action figure body? Too bad for the fans! The motorcycle matches his uniform colors, and for fans of McGrath, it makes a great set. Mattel should have sold McGrath and his cycles as a set.
Outfit and Gear: The outfit is a Dirt Biker type of uniform and it looks good. He could be a race car driver or a stunt sky diver too. The only gear is the helmet, and the helmet is a Max Steel mold, which is huge on the more normal Jeremy McGrath head. See the photo, the face section of the helmet is about a half an inch away from the face. The helmet is too big. Another example of how Mattel did not mold a helmet for JM, and cut a corner on their costs.
Price: $19.99 at Toys R Us.
Overall: At least Mattel got off the schnide and took a step forward with this line. Otherwise, it seems like they decided to do this on the low budget and made a grab for some easy cash by using Jeremy McGrath's likeness in order to charge $20. for a $10. action figure.
GRADE: B
