When I first heard there would be figures based on Jack Bauer, I knew I'd have to use my best CTU training to track them down. After many hours at the keyboard and after shelling out some payoff money, the elusive Medicom 1/6 scale Jack Bauer was mine! The hours crawled by as I waited for him to arrive at my door, but today, he was there waiting for me. Looking at the box, I thought, "Would the figure live up to my hours of expectation?" or would I take one look at it and yell, "DAMMIT!"

Read on and find out... 

The following review takes place between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Packaging - ***
The figure originally came out in 2005/2006, so it already looks slightly dated detail-wise. In a year or two, sculpting can improve by leaps and bounds and packaging is no different. Considering Hot Toys or Sideshow packaging, this is boring in comparison, but it does the job well. Everything is protected and that's what counts.

The figure comes in a simple looking box with a window to see it, but due to the two clear plastic covers that encase the figure, you can barely make out the details of it. The box itself is black with a silver reflective design to it and you really have to look at the box from certain angles to see all the details also. There is a nice description of Jack Bauer on both sides of the box and the back has photos of both versions of this figure: One in his CTU outfit and the other in a suit and tie. Both figures come with the same accessories and sculpt, only their clothes are different. (the suit version is a Blister exclusive and is limited to 200.) 

The coolest detail on the box is the fact that they tell you exactly when Jack was dressed in whichever outfit you get. The CTU box has "Between 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M" on it and the suit version has "Between 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M.", both of which are printed on a little sticker and placed in the lower left hand corner of the front of the box. (Both appear in Season 4) If you're detail oriented like I am, that information will come in handy.

Sculpting - ****
Ok, I'm giving this figure four stars for sculpting...

Could it be better? Yes.

Do I care? No. :)

Like I said, this figure is a couple of years old already and sculpting has come quite a ways since then. Plus, Medicom isn't exactly the best when it comes to sculpting realistic human likenesses anyway. All of the Medicom figures I've seen up close don't ever live up to my expectations (example: Jack Sparrow, Wolverine, etc.) and I never bought them, so buying this one without seeing it first was a huge gamble. I have to say, this one works for me. Yes, the sculpt isn't as detailed as it could be, but it still passes for Keifer/Bauer and that's what counts to me. The expression and shape of the head are perfect and they got other details like his eyes, ears, nose and mouth exact without falling into an Anime look, like a few of their other figures. His hands don't have a lot of detail, but they really don't need it.

Paint - ***
There's not a whole lot of paint involved with this figure, other than his hair, eyes, eyebrows and lips. His eyes are painted perfectly and even have a bit of green mixed in, instead of just painting them solid blue. Add to that, a black iris and a white "reflecting spot of light", and they look great. His lips are one shade of pink and from far away look fine. Up close they look a bit like lipstick, but only when it's a few inches from your eyes. His hair looks like it was painted yellow and then painted over with a dark blonde colour. If you look closely, you can see the bright yellow underneath along his hairline all around his head.

Articulation - ****
I'll do the best in this category as I can, but I really don't want to strip Jack to be more exact. The body is a standard Medicom body from 2005, (RAH249) so if you've seen one, you've seen them all. All of the joints were super tight and he stands perfectly on his own. 

Outfit - ****
For the price, his outfit is a little plain and simplistic, but I love the way it looks on him. He's wore this outfit many times during the run of 24 and even McFarlane sculpted their version of Jack Bauer wearing the same exact thing. I guess, "iconic" would be the word to describe it. The outfit consists of a long sleeved dark blue shirt, a black bullet proof vest, black pants and black boots. The clothes all fit him snugly and look great on him. 

His vest has all the usual Velcro fasteners that they usually have and even has the white "CTU" letters on the back.

His pants have pockets and his boots have paint details along with "Medicom Toy 2005" printed on the soles of them. 

He also appears to have a padded "belly" under his shirt to give him a bit of bulk.

Accessories - ***
The figure doesn't come with a lot of accessories, but since it's Jack Bauer, he really doesn't need a whole lot to get the job done. He comes with his trusty cell phone and, although it's detailed and looks like it, it doesn't flip open. (It's one solid piece.) He also comes with his gun and, at first, I thought the clip was removable, but like the cell phone, it's one piece. Since the figure already has a "gun holding hand" and a "cell phone holding hand" attached, they also included two more hands in more natural open position. Oh, and he also comes with a clear plastic figure stand.

I really wish he'd have come with a jacket, his bag, a badge on a chain around his neck, a pair of sunglasses or even his CTU card. I'm happy with what he came with, but for the price, he could've had more... 

Fun Factor - ****
As a kid, I would've said "Who's Jack Bauer?", but I still would've loved a Kiefer Sutherland figure. This figure is built very well and would hold up to a lot of play, but for the price point and the sparse availability of the figure, I seriously doubt any kids got to get one, let alone play with it.

Value - **
Ok, this is where it gets messy.

I bought this figure for $100.00 (that was including shipping) and I feel like I got a great deal, BUT I really wanted one and haven't seen a whole lot if them for sale that I could afford. In my search for one, I've seen them listed as high as $249.00 (and that's not even including shipping!) and there is no way that this figure is worth that. Heck, it's really not a $100.00 figure, but I understand that it's an import, limited, blah, blah, blah...Seriously, figures are getting waaay too expensive these days.

Things to Watch Out For -
Aside from dropping his cell phone about a dozen times and having to look for it on the carpet, I haven't had any problems. I'd just be careful not to break him, since it'd be hard (and expensive) to get another one.

Overall - ***
I don't want anyone to think I don't like this figure more than three stars dictate, but his price point really keeps it from being a four star figure. This is my very first Medicom figure and I'm very happy with it. I love Keifer, I love 24, I love figures...what more do I have to say? 

I already have my eye on the next Medicom Jack Bauer 1/6 figure from Season 5, but until I see one I can afford, the hours will just keep going by...

(insert "24" ending clock sound effect here)

SCORE RECAP:
Packaging - ***
Sculpt - ****
Paint - ***
Articulation - ****
Outfit - ****
Accessories - ***
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **
Overall - ***

Where to Buy - 
On line options include:

- CornerStoreComics has an excellent price on this guy right now as part of their madness sale - just $120!

- Amazing Toyz has this guy on sale as well at $120.