Packaging - **
The packaging on all the CRM figures is great. The image of the figure is painted on the front of the box to look like it came right from the film, with some lines and words from the movie itself. But what's really great is how easy the figure removes from the box. You just slice the little sticker where the flap goes into the box, open it up, and slide the figure out. No twisty-ties or tape to deal with because the figure is not meant to be positioned in the box so it can be displayed from within. I think this is brilliant. When you buy a figure like this, you're not paying for the package. The Japanese seem to be more concerned with ease of access than, say, having the figure look good in a window box.

Now, I picked the 2nd release of Alex from "A Clockwork Orange" where the package art went from color to black & white. It's kind of a disappointment when you see the color art for the first release (images are on Google under CRM Toys), but the boxes aren't really why you buy the figures. In Japan, space is limited, so the box may get thrown out some of the time. In fact, I just purchased the CRM Toys Taxi Driver Robert Deniro for $200.00 w/o the box. The same figure sells for $400+ MIP. As someone who's going to open the figure, the small box is almost unimportant. Plus, NO ONE can convince me a box is worth $200. So, here, with the "Storm Over Crime Cure" box, I gave it only two stars. Bummer colors, but I like the basic aesthetic of the design-nothing flashy and ease of access.

Sculpting - ***
The sculpting of Malcolm McDowell's face is great. It resembles his visage very accurately. The longer hair of the character is well done also-the derby fits snug at all different angles and the head even looks great without it. The phallic mask is a great looking accessory also and really helps capture the scenes from the movie were it was worn. The codpiece and the cufflinks are a very cool addition to making the figure more movie-accurate.

Paint - **1/2
The paint application on this figure is another low rated category. 

The color of Alex's skin seems a little pale and pasty. Now granted, Malcolm McDowell is a pale and pasty dude, but the color just seems a little off on him. The flesh tone paint also seems to be applied a tad too thick to the head also. This may sound a little picky, but this was CRM Toys first figure let's remember-and when compared to the great paint app on the Mr. Torrance, you definitely can see the evolution of company. It's not that the app is awful, just not three or four star. The application is very clean too, so the eyes and eyelash looks great. The colors on the eyeball-cufflinks are great also.

Articulation - ****
It's your typical Dragon or Medicom 1/6 body and I have no problem with that. I like the articulated fingers, so I think that's always a bonus. The wire armature for them seems stronger then most too. The clothes are not restrictive and they don't limit the articulation.

Accessories - ****
When somebody makes a 1/6 scale NON-MILITARY figure, you know right away that accessories are secondary because there won't be any guns or grenades to throw in the mix. Whereas CRM Toys kinda copped out on the accessories for Mr. Torrance, Alex here has some nice, key essentials. First is the derby, which is spot on and like I said before, fits better than any other brimmed hat that I've seen on a 1/6 scale figure (see Toys McCoy Indiana Jones!). Then there is the phallic mask. Very cool piece from the famous home invasion scene. There is also Alex's walking stick. I was a little bummed when I looked at the stock photos of this figure to see that the cane's handle didn't come out of the shaft to reveal a blade. Then I got the figure, I noticed some space between the handle and the shaft-and, yes, sure enough the handle pulled out to reveal hidden blade. Very nice surprise! Also, the codpiece is removable and very accurate and the eyeball cufflinks come off too.

Outfit - ****
This is an area where CRM Toys shines with all their figures. They put some real exquisite craftsmanship into the clothes for their figures. Alex here is no exception. Like Mr. Torrance (and Travis Bickle), theses figures have exceptional stitching on their outfits. I really think this is why these figures are so expensive. They are all hand-stitched and really well done. Alex's white, collarless shirt is beautiful. The pockets are perfect and clean. The suspenders are stupendous and attach to the white pants with buttons and are totally adjustable. The pants are white denim (whereas the shirt is light cotton) and fit snuggly. When putting Alex side-by-side with the other CRM figures, you realize how amazingly their figures standout. They are nothing short of works of art.

Fun Factor - ***
It's a little hard to justify that a guy that raped, pillaged, and murdered is fun, but for anyone who loves figures and great films, this figure would be four stars. Kubrick fans have been asking for this figure for years-and they got the best figure possible. Again, it's hard to argue that pieces of art are supposed to be fun, but it is a toy when it comes down to it. The only way that this figure could be anymore fun would be if he spoke lines from the film. "A little of the ol' in-out in-out ultra violence!"

Value - ****
The fact is that the toy is a piece of art (I can't stress that enough). Hand-painted, hand-stitched, and released in low numbers (less than 100), this figure is something that will just make money the longer it sits on your shelf. The fact it was re-released might hurt the value a little, but I don't know of any difference between the original versions besides the box art. I paid a little over $300 w/ S&H a few months ago, but I'd expect to pay more at this point. Honestly, worth every penny, especially to us die-hard Stanley Kubrick fans.

Things to Watch Out For:
I've had no problems with any of the CRM Toys figures I've purchased. Again, the Crime Cure figure has two different types of box art. I haven't seen the colored boxes since the original figure was released, so I think the black and white box is your best bet.

Overall - ***
CRM Toys makes the most intricate 1/6-scale figures on the market. The figures are pieces of art-bottom line. The three figures they've released are the finest specimens of an action figure I have ever seen. The people that craft these "toys" take detail to near obsession. The paint application, sculpting, and tailoring of their figures is meticulously done with the utmost care in recreating the characters with dead-on accuracy. They are simply beautiful. And since they are made in such small numbers, I feel like they are very solid investments.

Ok, so then why did I give poor Alex here three stars? Generally, the quality of the 1/6 scale figure has improved well beyond early Medicom and Sideshow figures, so I've gotten a lot harder on grading (as we all should be). CRM Toys has also made a few strides in quality over the last few years. Alex was their first figure and has few flaws. Like I've said, the paint is too thick and monotone. The color scheme and sculpting is pretty basic and it almost has a simpler, vinyl character look to it. The outfit, while dead on, is not very interesting, so it takes a little something away from the overall figure. Also, I rather have the color box if I had a choice and the fact that this version is a re-release takes away from the value. And finally, now that I have all three figures together, Nicholson and Deniro are perfect, whereas Malcom McDowell looks like a small company's amazing first figure.

I'll be reviewing the Robert Deniro "Taxi Driver" figure next, so stay tuned.

Score Recap:
Packaging - **
Sculpt - ***
Paint - **1/2
Articulation - ****
Accessories - ****
Outfit - ****
Fun Factor - ***
Value - ****
Overall - ***

Where to Buy:
Keep watch for the Crime Cure Alex on eBay and your typical import stores, like Popsalute or ABC Express. There are still a few around, but probably not for long.