Review of King Kong vs Skull Crawler
Skull Island vinyl statue

Introduction

Godzilla is returning to the big screen this year...and shortly after, Kong and he will share the spotlight in their epic showdown, premiering in May of 2020. I enjoyed Skull Island, and I have high hopes for the upcoming King of the Monsters, but collectibles based on the franchise have been slim pickings.

Star Ace, a branch of X-Plus, have been doing several vinyl figures of Kong based on his appearance in Skull Island. The latest is a combo vinyl statue of Kong fighting a Skull Crawler, done up in their deformed style.  This is a bit of an early review - these should start shipping to retailers very soon.

The overall height is just under 9", and this pair will run you around $110 depending on the retailer.

Packaging - ***
The window box keeps everything safe and sound inside the interior plastic trays, and it's all quite collector friendly. There is no Certificate of Authenticity, and this is not a limited or numbered edition.

Sculpting - ***1/2
While the box says 'vinyl figure set', this isn't really a 'set'. The two figures are permanently attached, with the Crawlers long tail wrapped around Kong's leg, and Kong's left hand gripping the Crawler's lower jaw.

These are not supposed to be uber-realistic - they are 'deformed', a style that accentuates certain body parts, and minimizes others. It's fairly common in the vinyl market, and they've used it to their advantage with this pair.

The battle scene looks terrific, with danger and violence written across their screaming faces.  The detail work on his fur and the Crawler's bone-like skin look terrific, and the all important teeth, mouth, and tongue on both characters are particularly realistic. These are hard vinyl, hollow but very stiff.

However, the design does not lend itself to their verticality. Kong's tiny feet won't allow the pair to stay upright without the stand. I thought about calling the stand an 'accessory', but when it's required it becomes part of the statue itself.

The black plastic base has a Kong: Skull Island sticker, and there is one black support rod with a clear plastic U top. This top can be adjusted slightly, and the back of the Crawler rests on it, allowing them to stand. It works fine and is relatively unobtrusive, but the base itself could be fancier considering the price point.

Paint - ***1/2
The paint work is excellent overall, with extra attention paid to the mouths, teeth, and tongues.

The skin on the Crawler has a bony, rough texture, highlighted by a splotchy skin tone. The white teeth are clean, and the shiny gloss on the tongue provides a wet, living appearance.

The fur on Kong is highlighted by wiping off the paint on the high points, giving depth to the detailed sculpt. His teeth look terrific as well, although he could use a little oral hygiene.  The wet tongue and lips is juxtaposed against the matte finish on the fur, creating a more realistic overall appearance for a vinyl figure.

Value - *1/2
The price point is a killer. At $110, this is going to always be a tough sell. Of course, the quality is excellent, and X-Plus has always been known for producing great vinyl figures, particularly in the Godzilla realm. But it's still a hefty hunk of change.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing

Overall - ***
Star Ace is doing a great job with their vinyl releases, but that's no surprise to fans of the parent company, X-Plus. The sculpting and paint are terrific, but the deformed style isn't going to be for everyone. The price is a drawback as well, part of the cost of collecting imported items.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***1/2
Value - *1/2
Overall - ***

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I've covered a couple other Star Ace Kong vinyl items - the normal Kong himself, and the deformed separate vinyl figures of Kong and the Skull Crawler.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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