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Packaging: ***
Itıs your standard IJ packaging, the same as what weıve seen from
previous basic figures. The cardbacks all have a small screen shot and
bio of the character. Some are actually pretty amusing.
Sculpt: ****
All six figures are probably the best the IJ line has had to offer. The
whole series has impressive amounts of detail and uncanny likenesses to
the characters. Indy is an entirely new sculpt, even the head. The
likeness is inching its way closer to Harrison Ford. The open, torn
shirt helps it stand apart from previous Indy figures. Iım keeping my
Indy carded, along with one of each of the other Indys representing
each of the other films.
Short Roundıs head looks a tad big, but his body is appropriately
small. Willieıs gown is sculpted with ornate detail on par with
Hasbroıs Queen Amidalas. Her head is probably the prettiest of all of
the female figures from the IJ line. The veil is sheer soft goods and
not removable. Underneath the removable necklace and lei, they managed
to nicely capture Kate Capshawıs heaving bosoms. However, her skirt is
very stiff and static.
Mola Ram looks pretty much dead on to the actor. The removable
headdress is a very nice touch. The Chief Temple Guardıs gorgeous face
sculpt oozes joyful intimidation. The chest wrapping on both figures is
actually a separate piece, which I havenıt attempted to remove. Both
have the appropriate physiques. The Temple Guard is also very
accurately detailed, but as the only army builder, maybe the dullest of
the bunch.
Paint: ***1/2
Again, these figures have the
best paint applications so far in the IJ line. I like to examine my
figures before purchasing, so I was particularly nervous about
receiving these sight unseen. However, I was not disappointed. No
messed up eyes, no major paint splotches, very clean lines. Short
Roundıs shirt has a very nice plaid pattern, and his cap has pinstripes
and an altered Yankees logo. The Temple Guard has notably clean face
paint.
Articulation: Short Round,
Chief, Guard ****, Willie, Mola Ram ***
These figures also have the
standard articulation youıd find on previous IJ figures. Ball socket
heads on all, some movement is more restricted than others. Cut waist,
Ball hinge shoulders, ball hinge elbows, and cut hips. The guards each
have cut wrists, ball hinge knees and ankles. Shorty lacks cut wrists,
but has ball socket ankles, a very nice touch for a figure of his size.
Willie and Mola Ram each have cut hips under the skirts, but no knee or
ankle articulation, which would have restricted movement anyway. Each
figure has all the articulation they need.
Accessories - Willie **, Mola Ram
****, the rest ***1/2
Each figure comes with appropriate accessories and weapons. The Thugee
Guards each come with a fist dagger, which can be sheathed on their
chests, and a unique sword, which can be sheathed on their belts. Short
Round comes with a big torch to bring Indy out of his trance, a small
knife, and Indyıs gear wrapped in his whip, which can be slung over
Shortyıs neck or shoulder. Willie has the same knife as Shorty, and
thatıs it if you donıt count the necklace and lei sheıs already
wearing. Mola Ram is the series winner here though, with a soft good
sash, removable headdress, dagger, Chalice of Kali, and a flaming,
nondescript heart. He can hold the chalice pretty easily, but the heart
is tricky to get into his hand. The sheer number of relevant
accessories makes him one of the best figures in the entire line.
The figures continue to include relics. Shorty comes with an Anubis
Statue, Willie comes with a Philosopherıs Stone, Mola Ram comes with a
Chinese Lion, Chief comes with an awesome Spartan Helmet that could
probably fit 1:12 figures, and the Guard comes with a Sun Dial. They
are all nice inclusions that I throw in a bag. They each come with a
sticker respectively, and a Crystal Skeleton order form, which is still
being offered.
Fun factor- Short
Round, Mola Ram, Chief ****, the rest ***
Willie is a gorgeous figure, but very scene specific, and too static
and stiff to pose. The Temple Guard is really well articulated, but as
a single soldier, could use some company. The Chief looks plain scary,
ready to beat the crap out of pulp adventurers or slave children. Mola
Ram could look a little more maniacal in the face, but the dude comes
with a FLAMING HEART, which makes up for his lack of expression. Shorty
was a great sidekick character, and appropriately, this figure can
side-kick with strategic balancing. Whatıs not fun about that?
Unfortunately, kids wonıt understand exactly how much fun these figures
are since they, for the most part, have not seen the classic movies
upon which these figures are based. Double unfortunately, adult
collectors who would actually appreciate these figures will probably
have an extremely difficult time finding them, as the TLC wave might
indicate.
Value: **
I scored the full set from BriansToys.com for $69.99, about $80
shipped. Thatıs about $13 per figure. Would I have preferred to pay the
retail prices of $8 each? Natch. Would I actually have been able to
find these at bricks-n-mortar? Highly unlikely without a miracle. Yes,
I ate it on the price, but I have them and I wonıt have to hunt for
them. And I have finally have characters representing each movie.
Thatıs worth it to me.
Overall: ***1/2
Itıs bittersweet that I write this review, knowing that the line is
coming to an end. While Iım relieved itıll give my wallet a break, itıs
very sad to think about the lost potential for the IJ action figure
franchise. Like I said, Iım super psyched to have figures from each
movie. Thatıs a BIG deal for me. The price was steep, but the quality
is the highest itıs been from Hasbro.
Score Recap:
Packaging - ***
Sculpt - ****
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - Short Round, Chief, Guard ****, Willie, Mola
Ram ***
Accessories - Willie **, Mola Ram ****, the rest ***1/2
Fun Factor - Short Round, Mola Ram, Chief ****, the rest ***
Value - **
Overall - ***1/2
Where to Buy -
Start by checking your local retailers!
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