NECA Aliens Deluxe Power Loader and Lt. Ellen Ripley
This is actually for two toys produced by NECA: the Aliens Lt. Ellen Ripley and Deluxe Power Loader. I'm reviewing them together, because the Power Loader doesn't really serve much purpose without Ripley piloting.
If you're unfamiliar with the movie Aliens (unlikely if you're reading this review), the Power Loader featured heavily in the movie's closing sequence, when Ripley used it to battle the Alien Queen. NECA released a version of the Queen last year, though I passed it up. I've got one of the old McFarlane ones, and the modest upgrade didn't seem worth the $100 price tag.
The Power Loader wasn't cheap, either, but that scene at the end of Aliens is near and dear to my heart. I've always wanted a decent toy version of the suit. Likewise, it's nice to see that NECA's been able to get the likeness rights to produce toys of Sigourney Weaver. They've already made a couple versions from Alien, in addition to this.
Appearance and Construction - Ripley: 9/10, Power Loader: 8/10
Both Ripley and the Power Loader are well made, but I'd rate Ripley higher relative to other six-inch action figures than I'd rate the Power Loader relative to vehicles.
That said, I actually like the Power Loader better - it's a beautiful toy with detailed weathering and working pistons. It feels solid in hand (with the notable exception of the buckle, which feels a little cheap to me).
I do think they overdid the red and blue wires running alongside the pilot's seat. While they're not bad, they're far larger and more noticeable on the toy than in the original. They also seem to have extended the spear-like protrusions in back of the pilot. In the screen shots I'm seeing, these look only slightly taller than the warning light, but they extend higher on the toy.
That said, I actually like the Power Loader better - it's a beautiful toy with detailed weathering and working pistons. It feels solid in hand (with the notable exception of the buckle, which feels a little cheap to me).
I do think they overdid the red and blue wires running alongside the pilot's seat. While they're not bad, they're far larger and more noticeable on the toy than in the original. They also seem to have extended the spear-like protrusions in back of the pilot. In the screen shots I'm seeing, these look only slightly taller than the warning light, but they extend higher on the toy.
In my opinion, NECA captured Ripley's appearance from the film extremely well. I pulled up some screen shots online, and her outfit looks spot on, down to the shoes. Her face is instantly recognizable, as well. The expression they went with isn't ideal for her appearance in the Power Loader, and there's an argument that she's a little too clean for the later part in the movie. But it's also worth noting that this toy was meant to reflect the character from several possible scenes, not just the final battle.
For those of you curious about scale, Ripley stands about seven inches tall. The Power Loader's size is a little more subjective. NECA claims eleven inches, but that includes those spears. Ignoring those, the toy stands about ten inches (nine and a half if you also discount the light). The distance from an extended arm (including grips) to the rear piston is almost eleven inches, though.
For those of you curious about scale, Ripley stands about seven inches tall. The Power Loader's size is a little more subjective. NECA claims eleven inches, but that includes those spears. Ignoring those, the toy stands about ten inches (nine and a half if you also discount the light). The distance from an extended arm (including grips) to the rear piston is almost eleven inches, though.
Packaging and Extras:
Ripley: --
Power Loader: -3
The packaging is more or less what you'd expect. Ripley comes in the same plastic packs most NECA figures come in, while the Power Loader comes in a big box. It's nicely sandwiched between a couple plastic trays inside, which keep it safe.
Ripley comes with more or less what you'd expect from a figure at this price point: a weapon and an ammo belt. You probably won't want to use either if you're getting the Power Loader, but the quality is nice. The gun is one piece, but it's sculpted to look like the duct-taped pulse rifle/flame thrower she took to search for Newt. You could also count her watch as an accessory, since it's removable.
The Power Loader comes with an alternate pair of hands for Ripley. It also comes with those spikes, but they're not really accessories.
This seems more than a little light to me. Given the price point on this thing, we really should be getting more than this. The first and most obvious example is Ripley herself: why wasn't she packaged with the vehicle to begin with? I'd have also liked a Newt and/or half of Bishop tossed in. I'm hitting the toy with a negative three for the lack of extras.
The Power Loader comes with an alternate pair of hands for Ripley. It also comes with those spikes, but they're not really accessories.
This seems more than a little light to me. Given the price point on this thing, we really should be getting more than this. The first and most obvious example is Ripley herself: why wasn't she packaged with the vehicle to begin with? I'd have also liked a Newt and/or half of Bishop tossed in. I'm hitting the toy with a negative three for the lack of extras.
Play and Display:
Ripley: --
Power Loader: -1
NECA's strength is rarely in articulation, but they've grown a great deal over the years. Ripley has an articulated head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles, knees, legs, and midsection. All are either ball joints, ball and pin, or pin and hinge - in other words, they give you as much articulation as possible, within the confines of the sculpt. This is good work, but nothing groundbreaking.
The Power Loader has a similar range of motion and utilizes pistons nicely. It also has an opening/closing cockpit, and clamps that slide and rotate. The hand controls also move forward and backwards. Given the level of detail on this thing, it's an astonishing amount of articulation. I'd give this a +1 for retaining that kind of motion on something this complex.
Which should tell you that there's a -2 coming. And that's because there are no lights or sounds. While this doesn't severely impact my enjoyment of the toy, it's a baffling oversight, given how much money NECA's asking.
The Power Loader has a similar range of motion and utilizes pistons nicely. It also has an opening/closing cockpit, and clamps that slide and rotate. The hand controls also move forward and backwards. Given the level of detail on this thing, it's an astonishing amount of articulation. I'd give this a +1 for retaining that kind of motion on something this complex.
Which should tell you that there's a -2 coming. And that's because there are no lights or sounds. While this doesn't severely impact my enjoyment of the toy, it's a baffling oversight, given how much money NECA's asking.
Price Tag and Final Analysis:
Ripley: 9/10
Power Loader: 4/10
I've mostly been dancing around the question of cost this entire review. In Ripley's case, you'll find her in the usual $20 to $25 range, depending on whether you're getting her online, in a toy store, or in a comic shop. I paid $22 online, which is a fine price for a good action figure.
The Power Loader ran me $105 before shipping. To be fair, that seems to be the high end places are charging - I've already seen it listed as low as $95, and there's a good chance you'll be able to find it even cheaper if you're lucky.
To put things in perspective, this is on par with what the same company is charging for the eighteen inch Pacific Rim Jaegers. Those are almost twice as tall, and they light up.
The Power Loader is a great toy, but it's overpriced by 40 or 50%. That said, if I'd known when I ordered it what I'd be getting, I'd still have bought the damn thing. Because, at the end of the day, that fight is one of my all time favorite scenes in science fiction. If it means that much to you, too, you might want to pick up one of these before they're gone.
But if that sequence wasn't a part of your childhood, you might want to skip it or at least hold off and see if the price falls.
The Power Loader ran me $105 before shipping. To be fair, that seems to be the high end places are charging - I've already seen it listed as low as $95, and there's a good chance you'll be able to find it even cheaper if you're lucky.
To put things in perspective, this is on par with what the same company is charging for the eighteen inch Pacific Rim Jaegers. Those are almost twice as tall, and they light up.
The Power Loader is a great toy, but it's overpriced by 40 or 50%. That said, if I'd known when I ordered it what I'd be getting, I'd still have bought the damn thing. Because, at the end of the day, that fight is one of my all time favorite scenes in science fiction. If it means that much to you, too, you might want to pick up one of these before they're gone.
But if that sequence wasn't a part of your childhood, you might want to skip it or at least hold off and see if the price falls.
