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Packaging - ***
It's a colorful box, with the GI Joe logo, an illustration of the subject
matter, and a cellophane window clearly showing the contents.
The title near the bottom of the box states "Modern Day Israeli
Defense Force Soldier". Aside from the title, there really is
NO way of knowing exactly who he's supposed to be.
Sculpting - **1/2
There is a new head sculpt on this figure. He's kind of a goofy,
ethnic-looking guy. Kind of looks like Steve Gutenberg from the
"Police Academy" movies! I'm sort of bummed-out by the
smaller hands on this figure. They make it difficult for him to hold his
weapon properly.
Paint - ***
On par with other Hasbro products. His hair, eyes, and eyebrows are
effectively depicted.
Articulation - **1/2
I am spoiled by the new Super Articulated GI Joes! The articulation of the
"Classic Collection" line doesn't cut it for me any longer! And
again, the little hands suck! As long as he's simply going to be displayed
on a shelf in a standing pose, I guess the articulation is acceptable!
Accessories - **1/2
The IDF figure includes a fatigue shirt, fatigue
trousers, fatigue hat, boots, a flak vest, red beret, canteen, ammo pouch,
2 first aid pouches, 3 hand grenades, an M-16 with a removable M-203
grenade launcher, 3 grenade launcher grenades, and a special "Foreign
Soldiers" dog tag. I would have been happier with some substitutes in
the accessories: a Galil rifle (with a big, fat sling for toting that
sucker!) instead of the M-16 and a ballistic nylon helmet instead of the
fatigue hat. The Galil rifle, although no longer in use by the IDF, would
set him apart from the other figures on my shelf, as would the addition of
the ballistic nylon helmet. Also including some kind of knife for
his webbing would be cool.
Uniform - ***
Real-life IDF troops wear very utilitarian clothing, which is often
informal, but generally consists of olive-green fatigues. In combat
environments (which is pretty much everywhere in Israel!) a flak vest is
worn. This much of the figure's uniform is fairly accurate. The figure's
webbing, pouch, canteen, and most of the other gear appear to be of US
origins. Just for the sake of setting him apart from other figures,
authentic Israeli web gear would have been a nice addition. In most of the
source photos I have seen featuring the real IDF, they are seen wearing
the ballistic nylon helmet. However, the brim of the fatigue hat can often
be seen sticking out from under the helmet in these photos. With that, the
addition of the fatigue hat isn't entirely wrong. I still would have liked
to see a ballistic nylon helmet with this set, as it is a distinctive
piece of Israeli gear. The red beret that is included with the
figure would signify on a real IDF soldier that he is airborne qualified.
The beret does not look good on the figure's head, and so it remains
tucked into his belt. Most of the gear on this figure is actually
re-hashed stuff from other Hasbro sets.
Value - **
He has almost the same amount of gear and accessories as the recent $15
offerings from Hasbro, so I think the $19.99 price point is a bit steep!
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