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Packaging - ***
The regular figures come in clamshells, but Hagrid is large enough (and
comes with enough accessories) that he needs a box. The design follows
the rest of the line, and it shows everything off pretty well.
Sculpting - ***1/2
We've gotten a number of Hagrid's so far, but this one might just be the best
so far. I have a personal preference for the GG
mini-bust, but I can certainly see where some folks would prefer this one.
There's some really excellent detail work here, especially in the
hair. The face is quite accurate, but it does look like a fairly young
Hagrid. I usually have to complain that sculpts make characters look too
old, but this is one of those cases where he's a bit too smooth and
clean. Perhaps it's more of a Sorcerer's Stone version though, where he
was a bit less wrinkled.
The clothing has very different textures to imply very different materials,
and to give it a realistic appearance. The technique works well, and
makes this figure the best of the NECA HP line up so far.
He's intended for the 7" scale line, and I've included the Harry from
that series in one of the photos for comparison. At almost 10 inches
tall, he does fit in quite well.
The hands are sculpted to hold accessories or simply look good at his
sides, which is a tricky combination to pull off. The stance is slightly
dynamic, but yet not exaggerated or excessive, and he stands extremely well on
his own.
If I have any complaints around the sculpt, they are minimal. The
hair and beard sit up a bit high on the body, but that's so that the ferret's
can be removed. Also, the right arms is sculpted at a slightly odd
angle, but that's so the arm can be posed properly with the lantern.
Those are my two nits to pick, but at least I understand why.
Paint - ***1/2
The NECA HP figures have been plagued with paint issues so far, and word on
the street was that they were having tremendous trouble with the factory
producing them. They have since switched to another place, and it looks
like they've fixed the problem at this point. I've heard from several
folks that also own this figure, and they've all had positive things to say
about the paint quality.
There's an appropriate amount of wash and dry brushing to bring out the
detail and add some nice dirt/sweat effects to the clothing. Like the
sculpted textures, different colors are used on the clothing to make it appear
like different materials, and this works quite well.
The face work is clean and neat, with no slop or bleed. Cuts are generally
clean all around, but there was one issue on mine that holds him back from a
top score. Mine has a brown splotch on his left shoulder that is clearly
a mistake. That one spot was the only quality issue, and I have hopes
that it's a rather unique occurrence.
Articulation - *1/2
Like most of this line, Hagrid isn't super articulated. There's a neck
joint that allows his head to turn side to side, but the hair makes it pretty
much impossible to do any sort of tilting.
He has NECA ball jointed shoulders, and the vest hides the joints
well. There's also cut wrists and cut waist, but that's about it.
Technically he also has cut ankles, but there is almost no space between the
pants and boots, so turning them even slightly is very difficult.
Accessories - ***1/2
Hagrid has a nice set of accessories, including Fang, Norbert, a set of four
dead ferrets tied together (with a real rope!), and his lantern.
All the accessories are solid with no articulation, but they are also
extremely good sculpts. I do wish Fang was a smidge bigger, because he
still seems a little too 'normal' in size, even compared to Harry. They
could have sized him up another 30% or so and I would have been happier.
Still, the sculpt looks terrific and the paint is well done.
My favorite of the accessories is the lantern though. It looks very
screen accurate, and fits nicely in his hand. Carrying this lantern is
likely to be the way most folks display the figure.
Talking Feature - ***1/2
There are two aspects to most talking features these days: a) there are only
three or four lines and b) there are generally no batteries. It's nice
to see that neither is an aspect here.
Hagrid says not two or three things but TEN lines, direct from the
films! The speaker is on his back, and the lines are clear and loud (or
at least as clear as they can be with his accent). There's also an on
off switch, plus an easy to push button. The lines are:
"The trick with any beast is to know how to calm it.";
"Welcome Harry, to Diagon Alley."; "You're a wizard,
Harry."; "Never...insult Albus Dumbledore...in front of me.";
"I'm on official Hogwart's business."; "Rubeus Hagrid, keeper
of keys and grounds at Hogwart's."; "I shouldn't have said that...I
should NOT have said that."; "Codswallup!"; "Strictly
speaking, I'm not allowed to do magic."; "Mad and hairy? You
wouldn't be talking about me now, would ya?"
I'm very happy with the feature, and I can see why it boosted the price a
bit.
Fun Factor - ***
Okay, the NECA figures are usually not that kid oriented, but I have to admit
that this guy is much more fun for old and young alike. He isn't super
articulated, but the excellent accessories along with the well done talking
feature make him a much more fun 'toy'.
Value - **1/2
I have been complaining about the high price of the smaller figures, but you
can get Hagrid for around $25 online. Considering that the smaller
figures are running around $15 each (and have fewer accessories and no talking
feature), then you can see where Hagrid is much more in line with his
price. I'm not leaping up and down over the price, but he's not a rip
off.
Things to Watch Out For -
Be careful taking off the ferrets from his neck, or removing the vest.
Yes, you can pull it off, but be careful not to tear it. Better yet, just
leave it in place.
Overall - * **1/2
We've gotten what, 8 or 9 figures in this line so far, maybe 10 at this point,
and Hagrid is my easy winner. Oh, Sirius and Snape weren't bad, and I
did really like the Deatheaters, but Hagrid shows how great this line can
really be. I have high hopes that the Snapes that come out in the fall
with series 2 will be an improvement over the ones we got from Borders (with
the new factory), and that future series will live up to the bar set by the
big guy.
Score Recap:
Packaging - ***
Sculpt - ***1/2
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - *1/2
Accessories - ***1/2
Talking Feature - ***1/2
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***1/2
Where to Buy -
There's plenty of online choices:
- CornerStoreComics has him
in stock at $24.
- Amazing Toyz has him in stock at
$24 as well.
- Toys and Cool Stuff has
him in for $28.94 Canadian.
- Dark Figures has him in stock
at $30.
Related Links -
Of course, there's a ton of Harry Potter reviews:
Oh, I have reviewed more than a fair share of HP collectibles:
- my latest were on the Merperson mini-bust
and the small versions of the NECA
OOTP figures, exclusive to Borders in a three pack.
- there was the guest review of the Tonner
dolls.
- I also reviewed the first series of figures
from NECA, along with the first series of OOTP,
and the series 2 Snape
released early at Borders.
- there's the other mini-busts, including Voldemort,
Hagrid
and Mad Eye Moody, Ron
and Hermione, Snape
and Dumbledore, Dobby
and Dementor, and a guest review of Harry
and Sirius.
- Gentle Giant also did a statue of the Hungarian
Horntail, and the Riddle Grave.
- the Noble Collection has done some nifty
wands.
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