Sculpting - ***
The sculpts on the kids inside - Bart, Milhouse, Ralph and Martin - is very
good, especially since the scale is smaller than WOS. Otto looks great
in the front seat, but remember that these are only half bodies - there's no
lower body. The figure sits on top of the seat, and pressing each
figure to the side activates the voice mechanism.
What I really like though is the sculpt of the bus.
Some folks will be disappointed that it isn't as large as they had
anticipated, but the design looks great. I like the slightly stubby
appearance, and all the details are very nicely done. My only question
is, where's the stop sign?
Paint - ***1/2
The paint ops on my set were good all around. The lettering on the bus
is clean and neat, and the face paint on each of the passengers (and driver)
is well done.
Talking Feature - ***
Each of the characters has at least one line, and there are a couple dialog
sets as well.
Bart - "Ah! Milhouse, Milhouse, wake up quick - look out the
window!"
Milhouse - "No way Bart, if I lean over I leave myself open to
wedgies, wet willies, or even the dreaded rear admiral!"
Martin - "Although I'm sure I'll receive a severe wedgie from
my bus mates, I must remind you we should have been in school 10 minutes
ago."
Ralph - "I dress myself" and "Me fail English -
that's unpossible!"
Otto - "Oh, I stand on my record - 15 crashes and not a single
fatality".
Pressing the hood - "I didn't know you played the guitar, Otto
man." "Hey, that's all I did in high school. My old
man said I was wasting my time and I'd never amount to anything...hahaha...
hahahaheehee...I, uh, oh.
"First one to the front of the bus gets Martin's lunch money.
What? Go apple! Go banana! Make way for grapefruit - go grapefruit! What
the... *splat* Aaah...I can't see!" (braking/swerving noise).
Value - ***
At twenty bucks, it's a decent price, although $15 would have been far
more palatable, particularly with all the Family Cars still on
shelves. I think this vehicle will be more popular than the car was,
but it's tough to say just whether or not they'll sell through.
Overall - ***
Not the greatest Simpsons product ever produced, but not a bad toy
either. For the major fan, it's a must have, but the more casual buyer
will have to look at it pretty hard and decide of the scale really fits in
with their display.