Review of King Kong Deluxe Vinyl Figure

Introduction

I'm pretty much a fan of every Kong movie - I don't think there's been one in 85 years I haven't at least enjoyed.  Sure, some are a lot better than others, but the character lends himself to a good story.

The latest version in Kong: Skull Island is no exception. There were some bumpy parts to the story, but they weren't Kong's fault. When he was on screen, it was a great time. When he wasn't, things got less interesting fast.  Still, I'm all in on the new Kong/Godzilla match up, and any more Kong flicks they'd like to do.

Star Ace has been producing some terrific vinyl figures based on the license. Some have been in the deformed style, while others are large scale statues.  I'm checking out one of the latter tonight, the deluxe version of the big ape in all his glory.

This deluxe version will run you around $190 - $200, while the regular release is closer to $155.

Packaging - ***
The large box looks good, using the graphic style of the film. Inside, there's a plastic snap tray holding the figure and base safe and sound. It's all collector friendly of course, and it should hold up to basic shelf wear just fine.

Sculpting - ****
Star Ace seems to excel when working with vinyl figures. Their Defo-Real stuff has been great, and the overall Kong line has been well done.

This guy is pretty big, coming in at 13" tall without the base. The figure is vinyl, which means it's light weight, but he stands great on his own with or without the base. There's no foot peg, as none is needed to keep him upright.

The matted, dense fur is intricately sculpted, giving the entire figure texture and depth. Areas with no hair, like around the face, have a leathery, rough look, while some areas have a finer, thinner sculpted hair, like the chest and butt.

There's some of the scarring too, particularly on his chest, and the dynamic pose emotes dominance and power.  The teeth and mouth look great, and the squinted eyes give him a pissed off, angry expression.

If you're comparing this version to their earlier Skull Island Kong, I like this sculpt slightly better. The earlier version was a bit rougher, and this one is a bit more realistic in style.  It's not a huge difference, but it's there. This pose and facial expression are also much more dynamic.

The deluxe includes a base, with a sculpted destroyed ship. The deluxe also comes with a propeller gripped in his right hand, with a real metal chain. You can loop this around his arm, or simply let it hang.

Paint - ***1/2
Another beautiful paint job on one of their vinyl figures.  The subtle variation in the fur, along with the rugged skin tone, make for a very realistic ape.

The eyes are bright, even, and reflective, while the teeth, gums, and tongue are quite life-like. There's a little slop around the teeth, bit it's fairly minor, and you can think of some of it as 'poor dental hygiene'.

The boat and base are a bit less impressive, with less detail work. The added propeller looks good though, with a nice rusty, worn appearance.

Value - **
These are not cheap, not by a long shot. But the quality of sculpting and paint work are pretty much in line with what you expect. The regular version, at $155 or so, is definitely the better deal, and I can't really recommend spending another $40 on the small base and propeller.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing. There's nothing to assemble, as the propeller comes already in his hand and he doesn't attach to the base, merely stands in the appropriate foot prints.

Overall - ***1/2
Not a surprise with a Japanese import of a large vinyl figure, but the price point is the sticky wicket.  I love the sculpt and paint work, and the active pose and expression look terrific. But at almost $200, the deluxe is pushing it.

The regular is almost as good though, and you'll probably not miss the base.  The only real selling point on the deluxe over the regular, at least for me, is the inclusion of the propeller, which makes the overall pose even more interesting.

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

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other King Kong goodies include the earlier vinyl Skull Island Kong from Star Ace, their super deformed style Kong, the Mezco version based on the Jackson movie, and the original movie Kong from McFarlane Toys.

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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