|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 11, 2008 15:56:11 GMT -5
More big movie figures this week - both because their big movies, and because their big figures! Tonight I'm looking at the Dark Knight version of the Action Cape Batman, which towers in there around 13". I usually hate action features, but I have to admit that this one is one of the best I've seen in ages. Unlike the first Action Cape Batman (based on Batman Begins), this one doesn't really have a cape, but something more like wings. And not only do they snap out with authority, they roll back in mechanically with a nicely engineered feature. I also have a guest review up tonight of the nifty Medicom Kamen (Masked) Rider figures, version 3. I've been a bit behind with my guest reviews lately, but I'm going to do what I can to get caught up. You can find all the links at the usual: www.mwctoys.comAs always, thanks for reading! Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 13, 2008 18:54:44 GMT -5
With all the huge blockbusters coming out this summer, it's easy to forget a few. But WALL-E is not one you'll want to forget. Pixar delivers consistently, and this film looks to be a very unique and interesting adventure. Although the movie is still more than a month away, the toys have started hitting mass retailers. Tonight I'm looking at four of the smaller sized figures - regular WALL-E, Eve, the Captain and M-O. The WALL-E in this set is pretty nice, and I think it fits in nicely with other 4 - 5" scale lines. The rest of the figures...I'd save my money. I'll also be looking at the larger figures next week, so stay tuned for that! To get away from the whole summer movie theme for a minute, I've also checked out the latest Elvis figure in the Mcfarlane series - Gospel Elvis. This one isn't quite the amazing piece of artwork that some of the previous Elvis figures have been. You can find all the reviews at the usual: www.mwctoys.comI'd also like to thank the folks that have taken advantage of the Tip Jar/TopSpot feature. If everyone could visit these links, I'd certainly appreciate it, as they all have some solid content! Thanks for reading, Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 15, 2008 19:00:13 GMT -5
Tonight it's all Indiana Jones. First up, I'm looking at three more of the 3 3/4" figures, including Marion Ravenwood, the Cairo Swordsman, and Belloq. The quality of these varies quite a bit, but all three have some pretty cool 'artifact' accessories. And the guest review proves one of my favorite points - if you're currently not on fire, things can always be worse. You think the new 12" Indiana Jones figures from Hasbro are bad? Let's take a look back at the last 12" Indiana Jones from Hasbro, the G.I. Joe version that was a Disney park exclusive. You can find all the reviews at the usual: www.mwctoys.comAnd yea, I know the colored links are a bit annoying - I don't like how busy it looks. But I'm having trouble getting the TopSpot links to look right because my style sheet keeps overriding theirs. I'm still working on it. Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading! Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by Thorn Of Deucalion on May 17, 2008 3:24:32 GMT -5
Cool review, all my Indy figures are MOC (whatever that stands for) so it's cool to see them open ...
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 18, 2008 15:36:27 GMT -5
I checked out the smaller WALL-E figures last week, and came to the conclusion that the dirty WALL-e had his value to use with other 4" scale figures, but the rest of the series was pretty weak. But tonight I'm looking at the larger scale figures, with the larger price tag. And yep, even though they cost more, they're a much better value. Better articulation, better accessories, bigger size, and even good action features! I'm going out on a limb all by my little lonesome and calling this the best movie line so far this year - check out the review at the usual: www.mwctoys.comThanks for reading! Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 20, 2008 17:26:54 GMT -5
Let's keep this movie collectible juggernaut rolling this week with a review of the new 12" Dark Knight Batman from Mattel. This one is done in the 'collectors' style of the large DCUC and DCSH figures, exclusive to Toys R Us. And yes, it's $30, and less articulated than the Action Cape version...but the sculpt is mighty nice. You can find all the reviews at the usual: www.mwctoys.comThanks for reading, Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 25, 2008 14:55:48 GMT -5
While we might seem lost in the swirl of big summer blockbusters right now, let's not forget that come fall we'll be getting a few other key films in various franchises, including Harry Potter. The latest bust from Gentle Giant is Bellatrix Lestrange, and I've got some very good news. They've broken their streak of ugly Harry Potter women! Finally, a female character done almost as well as Snape, Dumbledore or Hagrid. I also have a guest review up tonight from Mike Tansey. He's looking at the very large and cool Maximum Agression Triple H - you can find all the reviews at the usual: www.mwctoys.comFor those of you celebrating Memorial Day tomorrow, had a great holiday! Thanks for reading, Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by Thorn Of Deucalion on May 27, 2008 18:01:07 GMT -5
OMG I LOVE Kif, I can't wait to get him and bender ..... (It's Series 3 tho)
Are you going to do the Supernatural busts?
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 27, 2008 18:12:06 GMT -5
I'm doing my best to actually avoid any of the big summer movie toys this week - but it's mighty tough right now. However, Toynami's next wave of Futurama figures are hitting, and tonight I take a look at Kif Kroker, second banana to Zap Brannigan and Amy Wong's main squeeze. He's not perfect, but I'm happier with him than I was with Leela, and he's on par with Zap and Zoidberg. I couldn't stay away from all movie toys though, but I moved them over to Quick Stop this week, where you'll find a review of three more 3 3/4" Indiana Jones figures, whipping Indy, Ugha Warrior, and Colonel Dovechenka. You can find links to all the reviews at the usual: www.mwctoys.comThanks for reading! Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by Artistix on May 27, 2008 22:40:10 GMT -5
It's not unusual for companies to have difficulty sculpting the beautiful people. I'm going to do a feature article on why very soon, but it's a combination of the lack of 'personality' (all those recognizable features you have that drive friends to describe you by saying "He has a wonderful personality!") and the effects of what is known as the Uncanny Valley. Like I said, I'll be doing a full feature on my theory, but suffice to say that getting a beautiful woman sculpted perfectly is a huge challenge.
I will be very interested to see that Michael. Be sure to let us know.
The Bellatrix bust is ok..I like the Neca figures face better.
Kiff is very cool. It's nice he comes with a picture of Amy, it may be the only time we see her face in this line!!
|
|
|
Post by willbueche on May 27, 2008 23:19:46 GMT -5
Michael and all, be aware that Rocket USA has just re-released the ol' 3" die-cast figures, or the first set anyway. Originally issued on a card that hung on the wall, the re-release is in a box that also serves as a display case. The first box contains the 4 regulars. The second box, due any day now, is a total rip-off with only 1 new character (well, 2 if you count Nibbler). But despite the crappy second box, I am glad they are re-releasing these and hope they will continue with a third box (which should include Hermes and Amy).
It was tough deciding between the new plastic figures or the rereleased 3" metal figures, but I went with the 3" metal ones because they're smaller.
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on May 29, 2008 17:33:08 GMT -5
Tonight I have reviews up of two very recent and very cool sixth scale figures - the DC Deluxe Bizarro, and the Hot Toys Davy Jones! Okay, so Bizarro is more like 13", but if you've been buying these you've gotten accostumed to that minor issue. The Bizarro has some major improvements over past releases, much like the recent Green Arrow. Unfortunately, mine still had a couple issues holding him back from the kind of score I'd like to see. The guest review is from Jeff Parker, and he's covering the latest Hot Toys release in the Pirates of the Caribbean line, Davy Jones. This is another figure I'm really looking forward to, and Jeff's great photos and text has me even more interested. You can find all the reviews at the usual: www.mwctoys.comThanks for reading, and have a great weekend! Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on Jun 3, 2008 18:28:19 GMT -5
I had another figure all ready for a review tonight, but that guy will have to wait til Thursday! I received my Heroes figures in the mail yesterday, so I whipped up a quick review covering all five of the first series regulars: Mohinder, Sylar, Peter, Claire and Hiro. Unfortunately, as much as I want to like these, I have some serious issues with at least three of the five. I can tolerate a couple of them, but I'm really hoping we see these improve as they go along, especially considering how good of work Mezco can do. You can find the review at the usual: www.mwctoys.comThanks for reading! Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by Thorn Of Deucalion on Jun 3, 2008 18:55:54 GMT -5
Cool Michael! I can't wait to get them.
|
|
|
Post by taraf0rever on Jun 4, 2008 11:30:39 GMT -5
Oh awsome! I was SO hoping you'd get the Heroes figures. I love your reviews, they're so detailed and really helpful. I can't wait to get them!
|
|
|
Post by michaelcrawford on Jun 5, 2008 18:23:12 GMT -5
It's all about hot toys tonight...and by that I mean Hot Toys of course, although they are fairly hot in their own right. I'm looking at the Pirates of the Caribbean Will Turner, easily the best Orlando Bloom sculpt we've gotten. He also has an amazing outfit, but he's a tad light on the accessories. Jeff Parker, resident Hot Toys expert, is looking at their first Movie Icons figure, James Dean. He gives it his usual thorough review. You can find all the links at the usual: www.mwctoys.comThanks for reading, and have a great weekend! Michael MWC
|
|
|
Post by Artistix on Jun 6, 2008 0:27:47 GMT -5
Wow! That is one mighty awesome Will Turner figure!!
I'm on the fence with catch lights. My Sarah Jane figure has such big catch light paint that she looks like a zombie!
When you say there is heated debate about the catch lights, what do you mean? mainly pro or con?
|
|
|
Post by ThisYearsGuy on Jun 6, 2008 1:00:19 GMT -5
[peeks head round door] what is catch light?
|
|
|
Post by Kenobi on Jun 6, 2008 6:00:44 GMT -5
Just so you know, the webpage with the Will Turner review actually says "Will Smith"
|
|
|
Post by Artistix on Jun 6, 2008 20:00:23 GMT -5
[peeks head round door] what is catch light? Those little white dots painted on figures eyes to give them more life. SOme companies are really bad with them, others are good. MWC said with this review it does appear Turner has the catch lights, but it's actually just good eye paint that catches actual light.
|
|