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Packaging - ****
As a deluxe figure, Destro gets the uber-cool packaging. Yes, you're paying extra for it, but in this case where the package is actually part of the accessories, it's forgivable.
The hard shell top and bottom of the 'box' becomes Destro's footlocker. The foam padding holds his many accessories, and is a great way to store them AND works as an additional accessory to boot. This is one of the most creative packaging designs we've seen in years, and big props go to Hasbro for getting back to the basics of what makes toys fun even in when it comes to the box it comes in.
Take some care when getting him out though. The light up feature is
wired through the back to the battery pack, and you'll need to pull the light
out carefully first through the back of the foam to thread it up and out of
the plastic tray.
Sculpting - ***1/2
Destro looks quite a bit like the source material, and I think the translation
from old Destro to new Destro is one of the better translations in the overall
designs for the new show.
He is in the new style though, of course, so if you're not a fan of the
general Sigma 6 look, including sharp lines, big calves, and narrow waists,
you won't be happy here either.
Destro is larger than the 'normal' guys in the series, standing about 8 3/4
inches tall. He has sort of a basketball player physique, with long legs
and a short torso.
The musculature is deeply etched into the overall figure, and even the two
tone paint job on his head follows sculpted lines. While the overall designs
themselves don't allow for a lot of detail, the more broad style is done with
lots of care, right down to the treads on his boots.
Paint - ***
In a similar vein, there aren't a lot of small detail paint ops. On top
of that, some of the broader colors, like his torso and legs, aren't paint but
the color the plastic was cast in.
This is an issue for the torso and arms, where the gray plastic shows mold
marks and swirl lines, inherent in the mixing and manufacturing process.
The head is very bright and shiny, done in a nifty two tone color, silver
with a touch of copper on the sides and back. It doesn't photograph
well, but believe me, it looks damn cool in person. There are a couple
plastic marks in the color though, along with damage where the parts were
removed from the sprue.
And before you ask, yes, the jacket is purple.
Articulation - ****
He's not quite hyper-articulated, but he's certainly well articulated. Just as
important, the joints are all very sturdy, with a good range of movement, and
very tight so they hold poses well.
There's a ball jointed neck, with decent movement and posing possibilities,
along with ball jointed shoulders and hips. These joints are single
sided, but there's also pin and plate elbows and knees, where the joint pegs
into the upper arm or upper leg. This allows the lower arms and legs to
turn completely around, along with moving forward and backward, making cut
biceps and thighs less important.
The ankles and wrists are also these type of joints, where the plate fits
into a ball like joint on the lower piece (like the hand), and then the peg
goes into the upper piece (like the forearm). These joints allow for turning
along with forward and backward movement on the plate.
Finally, there's a cut waist and chest joint, allowing for a little
movement in the torso. All this articulation means he can take lots of
poses, including some very deep stances, without any trouble staying upright.
Accessories - ****
As is always the case with the 'commando' or deluxe versions, there's a huge
number of spifftacular accessories.
I'm counting the jacket as an accessory, since it's the only piece of soft
goods. It's removable, and has a velcro closure in front. If fits
fine and looks pretty good, although I had lots of issues keeping the collar
either all up or all down.
There's also a dog tag, which I had on one photo before tossing it in the
foot locker. It's too big for my tastes, but you might appreciate
it. And speaking of the footlocker, it works terrific, holding all the
accessories (including the briefcase) easily.
There's the large rocket launcher which fits inside the foam insert.
There are four missiles, two with red grenades and two gray grenades, that can
be fired by the rocket launcher. There's also a large 'targeting screen'
that attaches to the side of the launcher, and provides the handles for Destro
to hold. The rest of the launcher rests on his shoulder or arm.
The targeting screen has a clear red plastic screen, and fits neatly to one
side.
The rocket launcher supposedly 'recoils' when you fire it, but I don't feel
it. Perhaps it's simply to light of a recoil for me to notice, but either way,
that's fine. I prefer action features that don't get in the way of the
enjoyment of the figure.
There's also a blinking light. This is cool, because it is blinking
in the package, right on the peg. There's two AA batteries running it,
that can fit in under the foam insert in the locker. Again, I'm not
exactly sure what the purpose of the light is, although it reminds me of a
bomb.
While those accessories are cool, the best is the briefcase. I'm not
sure how secretive it is, since it has a large Cobra logo on the outside, but
hey, minor details. Inside is a terrific gun that can pop straight up
from the case, or be completely removed by opening the case and carefully
following the instructions. It's not difficult to take apart, if you pay
attention and once you've done it you won't forget. But do pay attention
and check the instructions, because you could break it if you fumble around
and try to force something.
What's cool about the briefcase is how well everything fits together.
The sliding mechanism fits in one way only, and slips up and down quite well,
considering this is a mass market action figure. Inside are piles of money in
various currencies sculpted in relief on one side, with a lap top computer
sculpted in relief on the other. Very cool!
These accessories are bulky, and they are somewhat cartoony in style.
But that's perfectly in step with the show itself and the design of the
characters.
Fun Factor - ****
These are great toys, something we just don't see enough of in the action
figure aisles these days. Hasbro is doing everything it can to prove
that action figures can still be fun and compete with video games for the role
playing market.
Value - **1/2
At fifteen bucks, the deluxe versions aren't cheap. But you're getting
an amazing group of accessories, with a terrific looking, well articulated
figure. It's not a great deal, but you won't feel ripped either.
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