|
|
Home Comic Books Books Magazines Games Video
Games Misc
Models Trading Cards
Toys Movies/DVDs Sports Anime/Manga Diecast Computers |
||
|
|
Dinosaur Safari Dinosaurs (Thunder Lizards), what kid doesn't love reading about them and looking at artists' interpretations as to how the giant lizards looked or behaved? The movie Jurassic Park brought the public's interest of the ancient beasts to the forefront. Suddenly it was OK to love ancient pre-history. This time around I thought I'd limit myself to reviewing many of Safari, Ltd's selection of dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts. All of the figures are excellent examples of realistic sculpting. Paint application on all of the figures is clean and crisp. There are no rough edges or jagged color overlaps. Detailing of eyes, teeth, facial elements and anatomical characteristics are first-rate. The figures are posed as if reacting to the world around them. There are no static poses. Creatures peer, look alarmed, take defensive and offensive stances, guard their young, look as if they are eating and other similar poses. The Carnegie Collection' Beipiaoarus looks like it's a cross between a bird and lizard, Its forearms and legs are bird-like with feather-like fur and a tufted tail. It stands with its beaked muzzle open. Also from The Carnegie Collection is the Malasaura with its nest and two babies. Its body is a reddish brown color with vertical deep brown stripes down its spin and tail. Its underbelly is white. Colored green with brown horizontal stripes, the Baryonyx stands with its torso low to the ground and its head raised, jaw open and flashing its teeth. Similar in gray color, the Deltadromeus Agillis is characterized by its white facial splotches. The red crested Dilong has a tufted tail and black feet and lower legs. Twin Dilophosaurus are posed as if in a fight with their claws extended, feet firmly planted and tails whipping. Their green eyes look crazed as their red skull protrusions showcase their ferocity. The Albertosaurus looks similar to a T-Rex but with a slimmer snout and larger forelegs. Slightly smaller is stature, the creature extends its tail horizontally form its body. With its skin a light lime green with vertical spin deep green striation and bright blue polka dots, the Carythosaurus looks almost comical. Its head appears to have green freckles, large yellow eyes and a deep green skull comb-much like a rooster's The Dimetrodon is low to the ground, deep brown with light yellow splotches along its sides and a huge fan fin running the length of its body. Its massive turtle-like head looks as it is ready to snap at an adversary. The Ankylosaurus has large light yellow plates extruding from its lime green skin. The protrusions push out farther from its body as they grow smaller on its long club tip tail. Its head is like a tortoise with four large horn-like protrusions. Crocodile-like in appearance, the Deinosuchus is a formidable looking reptile that lies flat to the ground, is decorated in multi brown and gray colors and has a massive jaw open in defense. With a body like a out of proportion seal the Kronosaurus is an amphibian terror with a two-tone gray skin, a long spout with long rows of teeth and jet black eyes. Seen in the first Jurassic Park movie, the herbivore Brachiosaurus is a gentle giant with a long serpentine neck, equally long tail and a snout set below its bulging nasal passages. Almost as massive is the Apatosaurus Adult that is supported by tree trunk-like legs and long tail that is nearly the length of its upper body. Its heavy neck supports an eel-like head. The spiked tail Deodicurus is the ancient relative of the armadillo. It has a bulbous body with heavy plate armor, a short round head with protruding ears and squat legs capped by three-toed feet. The Oviraptor On Nest is a brightly colored prehistoric bird with a red, blue, pink and brown head, pink spinal decoration and rat-like tail. It holds its winged arms over a nest of nine eggs-some of which are hatching. Fly away with the winged Quetzalcoatus. This flying lizard is golden brown and has a long snout and a large red tongue. Even dinosaurs look cute as babies a s the Oviraptor and T-Rex Hatchlings attest. Both are seen in their eggs. Three prehistoric mammals are also included d they are the Giant Sloth tat stands on its pigeon toed legs with its long claw arms lifted slightly and its sleepy looking head holding its mouth open. The canine Andrewsarchus is a deadly looking beast that reminds me of a heavy set hyena. Relative to elephant, the Ambelodon has shorter trunk and twin tusks over
an extended lower jaw sporting twin oversize lower teeth. Recently I was searching the web when I came across Legacy of Valor. The company specializes in producing 11 1/2 to 12 inch historical figures and pack reproductions from the Civil War up until World War II. I was sent one of their 11 1/2 inch figures circa WWI. The figure is of the war hero Sergeant Alvin York who single-handedly captured 132 German soldiers and who is considered the most decorated war hero of all time. Legacy Of Valor's Tribute To Valor Sergeant York figure comes dressed in period infantry attire with multi-pocket jacket, trousers, leggings and heavy, brown, leather Pershing boots. Around his waist is a web belt with holster for his Colt .45 Pistol. Included with the figure is a M-1917 pan helmet with chin straps and a 1917 Enfield rifle. The figure is fully-articulated, self-standing and has a face sculpt that captures the features of York, including his red hair. Paint application and figure coloration are smooth with no blotches or flop over. Clothing is nicely stitched with lots of decorative buttons, Velcro legging fasteners, lots of room to pose the figure without binding and consisting of the same olive green of a vintage WWI infantry uniform. The figure comes packaged on a hanging card with a double layer plastic
cover. It is easily removable from
the card package by slitting three small piece of tape. Package reassembly is also easy for
display purposes. Now fighting alongside humanity, the Elites have proven themselves to be cunning warriors, ferocious in battle and loyal to their human co-combatants. McFarlane Toys presents the 3rd Series of its popular Halo 3 figure sets. The Elite Combat figure comes in deep blue armor that covers its huge frame. The articulated figure is fully-posable and easily holds the two Plasma rifles. Weapon storage areas are on its legs and back. Paint application is neat with crisp edges with sharp distinctions between parts. Where blending is required the colors transition smoothly with no paint over layering. Articulation points are hidden in the body and armor joints, the figure stands easily with no support and weapons are to scale and stay in position once attached to the figure. Packaging is the standard McFarlane square with five sides clear and
attached to the back that includes full stats and photo of the figure
contained within.
Year of The Mouse This is the first opportunity I've had to review Hot Toys' Mini Cosbaby line of figures. What better subject to translate into small, 3 to 3 1/2 inch high figures than Mickey Mouse and his friends? And what better theme than the Chinese' Year Of The Mouse? Each figure boasts 9-points of articulation that include a swiveling head, arms, legs, feet and hands. Appendages are easily removable. However, several of the figures did have loose joints and didn't always stay in place. The Minnie figure especially. I believe these weak points are caused by the complexity of the articulation points, how they interact with the clothing and accessories. Overall the quality of the articulation points is good, just a little weak in a few areas. I wouldn't let this dissuade you from purchasing the figures. Paint application on the figures, clothing and accessories is crisp and clean with no slop over. Colors are bright befitting the subject matter. Sculpting captures the likenesses of the characters and translates them perfectly to 3D. Figures stand easily on their own with no problem and accessories attach or are clasped by the characters with little effort. Five figures are in the set with a sixth mystery figure promised. Figures include Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy. All are dressed in traditional Chinese garb or armor. Mickey Mouse is dressed as an emperor with an ornately decorated crown, gold sandals, yellow robe with layered undergarments-all decorated in a stylized mouse print. Minnie Mouse is dressed in similar clothing with a flower print motif, gold crown with extended neck and shoulder decorations that are encrusted with dangling jewels . A translucent pink shawl is also included. Donald Duck is dressed in metallic gold/bronze armor with a crested helmet. A heavy bladed lance is his weapon. Pay particular attention to the detail on Donald's helmet and armor. Padded, multi-layered and decorated in jewels and rivets, the armor and helmet are stylized representations of a typical Chinese warrior's battle ensemble. Goofy is dressed in identical armor, but proportioned to fit his frame and allowing room for his long, black, flapping ears. His weapon of choice is a short staff/battle axe with three blades and pointed shaft. Daisy Duck is dressed in similar colored clothing as Mickey and Minnie but without the jewels and crown. She appears to be a lady of the court. She also comes with a translucent shawl, along with a mirror.
Aliens Versus Predator: Requiem From the hit science fiction/horror film Aliens Versus Predator: Requiem, comes Hot Toys' new line of 3 to 3 1/2-inch Mini Cosbabies. These figures features crisp paint application even more complex than the Disney Mini Cosbabies. In the past I've reviewed several of Hot Toys' Predator, Pirates and Rambo figures and the paint application on these AVP2 figures is just as complex-more so considering their scale. Although stylized as downsized figures with large heads and small bodies, the AVP2 Mini Cosbabies are highly-detailed, accurately portray armor, accessories and facial features-especially their eyes and teeth and skull detailing and are remarkably articulated for their size: 9 points. Accessories and weapons are easily held or removed. Articulation points on these figures are stronger than the Disney figures, perhaps due to the less complex folds and hidden joints. Six figures come in the set, plus one more secret design. Figures include the Predalien, Predator, Alien, Wolf Predator, Battle Damaged Alien and Ancient Predator. The Predalien combines the facial figures and body structure of both species. Like the Alien it has a long skull, plated body parts and long spiked tail. It also has sharp claws and fangs and like the Predators, twin side jaws that fold over its front jaws. The Predator is dressed in full hunter regalia including body armor, wrist weapons, spiked boots and full face-covering helmet. It comes with bladed hand weapon and energy staff. Like its movie namesake the Alien is based on Giger's classic Alien design. It's long skull, with no discernable eyes, large teeth, skeletal like body, spin protrusions, long spiked tail and sharp foot and hand appendages make it a formidable looking creature even at so small a scale. The Wolf Predator is the only Predator in the set with its helmet removed showing its disturbing features. It come with an oversize bladed wrist weapon and power staff. With its green blood spattered torso and head, the Battle Damaged Alien is not happy. Similar to the Alien figure, this figure is even nastier looking. Last on the list is the Ancient Predator. A veteran of numerous Alien encounters this veteran Predator still displays traditional Predator dreadlocks but his helmet is more ornate and worn as are his armor and weapons. A staff energy weapon is included as is a bladed hand weapon. Hot Toys has successfully taken many of its licensed properties and translated them to miniature Cosbabies form. As with its larger figures Hot Toys has consistently kept paint application and detailing as their top priorities and it shows on both their Disney and AVP2 Mini Cosbabies figures.
Croc Party Go green with National Geographics' stuffed toy Crocodile. This soft and cuddly Croc has soft scales, teeth and feet. His big black eyes peer out from his soft, long snout head. Give him a hug-he won't bite! Kids are sure to love this irresistible reptile. A special Crocodile fact card comes attached to his leg. Snap him up before he's gone! It's time to party with Kitchen Littles' Birthday Party Fun set. Kids have everything they need to play Birthday Party with this scaled down toy set. Diecast metal pan, cake plate and popper come with plates, eating utensils, birthday cake, ice cream containers, ice cream floats, hot dog, hamburger with the fixings, soft drinks, French fries, milk, ice cream scoops and scope, and lots and lots of detail. Every piece is a perfect miniature version of actual food and kitchen
utensils and plates and even have labels that look like the real thing. Yummy!
The Hellboy II movie
is a big hit with fans. Mezco Toyz follows
up its successful Hellboy 1 movie toy line with a whole new seven-inch action
figure toy line for Hellboy II. I requested review
copies of the figures from Mezco and was extremely pleased when I received
the Johann Krauss action figure from its Hellboy II Series 1 set of
toys. Of all the Hellboy II figures,
I like Johann the best. Hellboy II toys are
the hottest toys around. If you
happen to come across any buy them up quick or they won't be there when you
go back. They're flying off the shelves! Ectoplasmic Johann
Krauss comes in his two-tone brown containment suit with transparent helmet
(and a broken version) heavy ectoplasm regulating equipment, belt, weighted
boots and extra set of plasma emitting hands that easily snap on the figure. The Johann figure is
fully-articulated (I counted 13 points, with several ball and joint), is
easily posable and has some really awesome surface details-most notably the
regulator equipment and helmet. Pay
particular attention to how the articulation points are hidden in folds of
cloths, etc. Pretty cool! Paint application is
right on with subtle variations in color suggesting wear and shading. His plasma emitting hands are attached to
twin bursts of translucent plasma clouds, that, along with the rest of the
figure, are clearly displayed in a sturdy bubble package.
Superman
and Elizabeth Swann Tonner Doll Company has done a spectacular job of translating DC Comics' heroes and villains to 18-inch doll form. The Batman and Wonder Woman figures were gorgeous and now Tonner tackles DC's number one super hero-Superman! What a stunning figure! Fully-articulated and boasting some of the finest figure and head sculpting in the industry, the Superman figure is just as its name implies--super! Starting with the figure's head, the sculpting and paint application is crisp, clean, precise and first-rate. The figure's hair even has Superman's trademark curl. The muscular figure (you can see its muscles bulging underneath its costume) comes dressed in Superman's classic costume with a huge 'S' on its chest, yellow belt with metal buckle, long flowing cape and red knee boots with side zippers. Pay particular attention to its clenched fists, chiseled features and real cloth costume. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! That's the only appropriate word that I can think of that adequately describes Tonner's Pirates of Caribbean High Seas Elizabeth Swann. Tonner has really outdone themselves with this figure. Elizabeth's stunning facial features are perfectly captured on the figure as is her long, flowing hair. Be sure to look at her eyes-they look almost real. What's the most impressive about the fully-articulated figure is its clothing. Wow! Where do I begin? I'll start with her deep brown waist coat with light brown trim and multiple bass buttons on both sides. That's some fancy stitching! Below her waist coat is an equally impressive brown, checker board pattern vest with buttons and an oversize collar white shirt with tied neck string. She also comes dressed in brown button trousers, deep brown buccaneer boots and a triangular leather hat. Accessories include a huge belt and sword. Words fail to describe how impressive this figure is-be sure to look for one in your local collectibles store or on Tonner's website. You'll be as impressed as I am. |
|
|
