SEARCH      FEATURES    NEWSLETTER    EMAIL     HOME
Captain Toy/Michael's Review of the Week

Review of Mjolnir - Thor's Hammer prop replica

Hasbro
Date Published: 2017-08-18
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 3 out of 4

Please share with your friends!

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Dividing Bar

Introduction

There are certain prop replicas I've always wanted, but I've just never been able to bring myself to pay the price high end companies are asking. A perfect example is Thor's Hammer, perhaps better know to you as Mjolnir. There's been some nice releases, but man, they all cost hundreds of dollars.

Hasbro has been producing some terrific low cost replicas of other Marvel and Star Wars props, and the response has been quite positive. I've reviewed several in the past, and their latest was one I have been really looking forward to - Mjolnir. It includes lights and sounds, something many others lack, but can they produce a plastic version that's good enough to sit beside other much more expensive replicas? That's the question for today's review.

This bad boy is currently shipping, and will run you around $100, depending on the retailer. Toys R Us carried the Iron man helmet and Cap shield, so I'm betting we'll see this one there as well eventually.

A note on the photos - you'll notice a couple of them were taken outside. That's because we had a power outage shortly before I was planning on doing the shoot, and I had no idea just how long it might last. I figured I'd improvise...but the power was restored before I was finished, so I move inside for some 'studio' shots. I've used a few of each.

Click on the image below for a Life Size version
Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Packaging - ***
It's a box. No big surprise here, and while it's collector friendly - you can actually unpack and repack everything without any damage to the package itself - odds are pretty good you'll toss it. There is a basic instruction sheet, which can be helpful when first figuring out the light and sound features.

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Sculpting - ***
This is a large hammer of course, as you'd expect, stretching almost 20" end to end. There's lots of intricate sculpting on the head itself, with scroll work around the ends and lettering on the top. The movie version dropped the silly looking inscription on the side of the hammer, but replaced it with the inscription on the circle on top, done in Norse runes. There's a subtle texture to the hammer head as well, differentiating it from the rest of the hammer.

The sculpt details continue on the handle, where there's a leathery texture and additional scroll work on the hilt. The only piece not plastic is the strap, which is leather and very well made. You don't want Mjolnir getting away from you when you're swinging it around the house!

There are a number of areas though that break the ruse of a metal and wood hammer. The underside of the head, where the battery compartment and switch is located, has a number of breaks in the smooth surface, creating a more toy-like appearance. And while this is technically the 'underside', when resting on the stand it's very obvious. The sculpt work is good - but it's not quite at the level we saw with some of their previous replicas.

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Paint - ***
There's not a ton of paint detail here, but you wouldn't expect it. The head has a wash which gives the impression of aged metal, and brings out some of the sculpt detail in the scroll work and lettering. While there's not a ton of detail, the realism is good enough to support the sculpt.

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Accessories - **1/2
There's rarely a lot of 'accessories' with a replica, but here you get a small, plastic display stand. It's nice to have, but it's pretty cheap. I'm thinking of giving it a custom rock-like exterior on the surfaces where the hammer doesn't rest, and I believe that would improve the situation ten fold.

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Dividing Bar

Sound Feature - ****
One of the big selling points is the sound and light features, which add quite a bit to the play value.

The hammer requires three AA batteries, not included. The compartment and switch are on the underside of the head, in a very obvious spot. Pop the batteries in, flip the switch, and when you swing or hit the hammer, various thunder and lightning sounds can be heard. They are clear and loud, and very easy to use.

Light Feature - ***1/2
When you're swinging the hammer and hearing those sounds, you'll also be treated to a light show on the ends of the head. The bright blue is intended to imply electricity or lightning of course, and the effect is quite good, even in a lit room.

There's an additional effect activated by voice. Hold down the small silver button on the side of the handle and say "Thor" or "Worthy" (or pretty much anything) loud enough for the small microphone on the side to pick it up, and the side of the head glows with the symbol of Odin. It's quite bright too, and it's a really cool effect. There will be photos of both effects below.

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Fun Factor - ****
While the sculpt and paint are still a bit more toyish than I like, I gotta say the light and sound effects are uber cool.  Give this to a kid - or a cosplayer - and they will be in heaven. Or Asgard.

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Value - **1/2
This beast is running $100 - $110 at most online retailers, which is a little more expensive than the previous replicas. I'm hoping that we see that $100 and under price tag at stores like Toys R Us, which would be more in line. I can live with the slight price hike thanks to the sound feature and dual action light feature, but they are pushing it enough that I almost dropped the score a half star off average here.

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing.

Overall - ***
This is one of those categories where there's really two overalls - one as a straight up prop replica, and one as a cosplayer's accessory.

I'm grading it as a replica. I've always wanted a Mjolnir in my bar, and I was hoping this one would be good enough to call it a day. Cap's shield was, even in plastic. But I have to admit that while this one is good, and pretty much in line with the price point, I'll still be looking for the perfect low cost solution for a more permanent addition to the bar decorations.

If I were a cosplayer looking to be Thor (which I would never be...I'm a strong believer in matching cosplay to body type, and sadly, I'll never be Thor) I'd be all over this thing like shame on a Nazi. While there are plenty of super cheap hammer's out their for costuming, this one is a much better compromise of accuracy and quality with price point.  I'd go another half star higher here if I were grading this as an addition to any Thor costume, no doubt about it.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ***
Accessories - **1/2
Sound Feature - ****
Light Feature - ***1/2
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Dividing Bar

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- has it in stock for $100.

- is at $110.

- Entertainment Earth is at $110, but includes free shipping.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other Hasbro prop replicas under this label include Captain America's Shield, Iron Man's helmet, and the Stormtrooper helmet.

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

Discussion:
Want to chat about this review?  Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be discussing it!

Enjoyed this review? Be sure to head back to the main page to find thousands more just like it!

Dividing Bar

Dividing Bar

Please share with your friends!

Mjolnir Thor's Hammer prop replica by Hasbro

Back to Main Page
This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.

This page copyright 2000 - 2017, Michael Crawford. All rights reserved.