Review: Masters of The Universe Teela
Posted by Lindsay
No, not “Masters of The Universe Classics”, just “Masters of the Universe”. This figure is from the line corresponding to the 2002 Cartoon Network reboot of He-Man. Man, I really like that show. I really like the women. Teela, the Sorceress, and Evil-Lyn are all pretty awesome. I have affection for the designs from that show, and zero affection for the “old-school” designs. So when I saw Teela at a second-hand toy store I snapped her up. (Incidentally, any readers in Southeast Massachusetts: Go to Emerald Square Mall, and check out The Toy Vault. Your collection will thank me, although your wallet might not. They have so much stuff that I always have to make myself leave before I go broke.) Erin previously reviewed the MOTUC He-Man and Skeletor. Like the new line, this was made by Mattel. |
Appearance and Construction: 7/10
I like her look, but she has a few problems. The paint on her eyes is a little weird.
Technically, as with the original show, the toys were planned before the animation, but I'm going to complain about being on model anyway. To be show-accurate, her cap sleeves and the outside of her collar should be blue, her earrings longer, and sections of the gold darker. I wish she had a little more color variation to really make her stand out. The sculpt is overall quite nice, highly detailed and dynamic. The blowing hair looks a little odd at rest, but great in action poses. |
Packaging and Accessories: +1
Teela's packaging is pretty straightforward.
She comes with three (or four) accessories, depending how you count. She's packaged with her sword, her ubiquitous snake-headed staff, and a small shield. All of these fit fine into her hands, although some poses take a little work.
All of these pieces are very well done, with good sculpts and nice paint work. |
She also comes with a sticker. It's kind of cool, but I wouldn't have known it was a sticker if the package didn't tell me. It's very easy to miss.
Play and Display: -2
Okay. This category is going to hurt. Teela has two useless action features. First, she has a spring inside, so that if you twist her at the waist she snaps back. Whatever. Second, she apparently interacted with a playset. I assume that's what this odd-looking panel in the bottom of her boot is about. Boring.
She also has some balance and articulation issues. Compared to figures coming out now, she doesn't have a lot of articulation: she has a cut neck, ball jointed shoulders, cuts in the forearms (behind the bracers), and a simple hinge-post at the hips. The hips almost function like a ball joint, but the range is very limited. She is a little front heavy, and without knee or ankle joints, it's hard to get her to stand up. I eventually got it, but I have to balance her by either having both arms back or one arm back, holding a weapon. |
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 6/10
Yeah, I paid a lot for her. $25.00, in fact. Ouch. She's my holiday present to myself, I guess.
If you look at the right time, you might be able to get her much cheaper on eBay. Despite her issues, I'm glad to have her. I almost wish she was from the later part of the line though. NECA switched over into making them mini-statues instead of action figures, which at least would solve the balance issue. But I'm sure she'll fit in just fine here anyway. |
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