Review: Nightmare Before Christmas Series 5
Call it a Christmas miracle. Or perhaps a Black Friday miracle. Okay, if you want to get technical, it was actually a few days before Black Friday.
At any rate, my wife and I were wandering through a National Wholesale Liquidators, as we do from time to time. Honestly, for every five times I go into that store, I come out empty handed four. Their toy section seems to have dwindled over the years, and most of what they do carry is less than collector grade. Honestly, there's very little there I'd buy for a kid, either.
But once in a while I stumble across something unexpected. That was certainly the case this last time, when I found a bunch of NECA's Nightmare Before Christmas Series 5 figures going for eight bucks each.
At any rate, my wife and I were wandering through a National Wholesale Liquidators, as we do from time to time. Honestly, for every five times I go into that store, I come out empty handed four. Their toy section seems to have dwindled over the years, and most of what they do carry is less than collector grade. Honestly, there's very little there I'd buy for a kid, either.
But once in a while I stumble across something unexpected. That was certainly the case this last time, when I found a bunch of NECA's Nightmare Before Christmas Series 5 figures going for eight bucks each.
Easily one of the best lines of the past decade, these are hard to find. Frankly, after the comics and collectibles stores unloaded their figures several months ago, I never expected to see these again for less than retail. They had all four figures, but, as you may recall, I picked up the Behemoth (with Bunny) a while back. Turns out, I could have gotten him for less, but I'm not complaining. For eight bucks a pop, my wife and I got the other three: Pajama Jack, Undersea Gal, and the Clown. Even though I've already reviewed the Behemoth, I'm going to include him below for comparison. Also, I want to make a tiny adjustment to his score. |
Appearance and Quality:
Pajama Jack: 8/10
This is actually the fourth Jack I own, counting two in pinstripes and the Scarecrow version. If I'd have known I was going to get this carried away, I'd have picked up one in a Santa suit just to round out the set. My favorite Jack is the original grinning one in his tux, with the scarecrow version coming in second. Either of those would get a nine in this category, while Pajama Jack will have to make do with an eight. It's not really a problem with quality, but design: this is, simply put, a simpler version of the character. It's not surprising that the final toy is a tad less impressive. But he's still very good. The hat looks fantastic, and NECA's never had issues recreating Jack's head. I should add that several of the figures had paint issues around the mouth - in fact, mine's not perfect - but I found one that looked all right. |
With the possible exception of the joints, the quality is good overall, at least considering how thin the character's arms and legs are. He may not be the best Jack I own, but he's a great figure all around.
Undersea Gal: 8/10
Seven or eight? Eight or seven? That was my dilemma. The Undersea Gal is right on the edge, particularly for reasons of quality, but the overall look of the toy was enough to save her. Let's start with why she's not higher: simply put, it's the arms. There's nothing wrong with how they look, but they're just thin, bendable plastic sticks coming off her torso. This is really more an issue for Play and Display, but I did want to bring it up here. Beyond that, she has a paint mark on her face I didn't notice in the store. Also, she has some holes on the back of her arm allowing the bendable feature to function. Granted, they're necessary for this to work, but they're still an eye sore. That concludes the complaint section for today. While the quality feels somewhat shoddy, the toy looks good. The scaly flesh is extremely well sculpted, as is her head. The hands and fins are great, as well. |
In addition, while I wish they'd done more with her arms, the figure's overall pose was well chosen. She might not be a complicated figure, but she is a good one.
Clown: 9/10
Once again, I found myself waffling over quality, and, once again, I relented and gave the figure the higher score. In this case, though, it would have been absurd to dock him. The "issue", in this case, is that the body is hollow and feels somewhat cheap. But, obviously, if the body weren't hollow, the figure would be unstable. So no deduction. This is another of Halloween Town's minor characters, one most remembered for his line in the opening number, "I am the clown with the tear-away face/here in an instant, gone without a trace." Personally, I don't get it. Vampires, witches, and monsters; I'm familiar with. Is there some urban legend about a teleporting clown with a removable face I've never heard of? Honestly, I think some of the creatures were designed to fit in with that song. But that's fine, because the clown is an awesome design. In addition, this version is kind of terrifying. Especially from a few feet back, that grin... it messes with you. The design on his costume looks good, and the paint is applied well. Also, his rubber chicken and paddle-ball are great. |
The unicycle isn't removable, so I'm considering that here. That actually works in the appearance's favor, since it looks incredible. What's more, the overall pose is great on the shelf, seeming to balance magically. More on this later, of course.
The only issues are mainly around the elbow joints, where the paint looks scratched. Still, this is a minor issue at most.
The only issues are mainly around the elbow joints, where the paint looks scratched. Still, this is a minor issue at most.
Behemoth (with Bunny): 9/10
I'm going to go in depth into these figures here, but I wanted to round out the series. If you want a more thorough look, I reviewed these separately a while back.
Like I said at the time, the only real issue here are some molding lines that could be hidden a bit better. Well, I've given the matter some thought, and I came to the conclusion that's really not enough to knock them down to an eight. Consider that retconned.
I'm going to go in depth into these figures here, but I wanted to round out the series. If you want a more thorough look, I reviewed these separately a while back.
Like I said at the time, the only real issue here are some molding lines that could be hidden a bit better. Well, I've given the matter some thought, and I came to the conclusion that's really not enough to knock them down to an eight. Consider that retconned.
Packaging and Extras:
The packaging is more or less the same across the line, with the exception of the character pictures and biographies. The text here is cute, but neither surprising nor impressive. NECA seems to get that it's not what's on the back of their packages that sells their toys:
Everything looks fine, just be sure you have a pair of scissors handy when opening. This has no bearing on any of the scores, of course: I just wanted it out of the way. Now, let's turn our attention to the extras:
Pajama Jack: +3
There are a few lines out there which redefine what accessories can mean. For a while, that was one of NECA's signatures, though recently their lines seem to be cutting back. Fortunately, this came out first. Jack comes with a stand, a stack of books, an open book on the scientific method, and a sleeping Zero. That's quite a haul, but we're not quite done: Zero has a few accessories of his own: a bed and a bowl with a candy cane. Lets start with the books. These aren't overly complicated, but they do look similar to what I remember on film. |
There are no titles on the spines, but I assume that matches up to how they looked in the movie. The "Scientific Method" book is a bit more detailed on the outside, though the open pages are strangely blank. That seems like a missed opportunity, but it's not a big one.
The stand is nothing spectacular - really just an ovular, black base - but it does the trick. That's fortunate, because Jack can't stand without it.
Moving on, we come to Zero. This is actually the second version of Zero I have: the series 1 Jack came with an awake version. While part of me prefers the more lively (so to speak) original, this one wins in terms of quality. The paint work here is simply gorgeous, capturing the look of the character beautifully. The original sacrificed color for translucence, which I now think was a mistake. This is a stunning figure. What's more, he's even got some articulation: his neck is a cut joint, allowing it to turn. |
Zero's bed is essential for allowing this version of the character to work. Fortunately, it looks incredible. The bowl, while less essential, might even be more impressive at close inspection. They've duplicated the look perfectly, down to his name. And the candy cane inside is bright and colorful.
This goes beyond what accessories should be and into the realm of what they CAN be. I didn't buy this pack for yet another version of Jack: I wanted Zero.
This goes beyond what accessories should be and into the realm of what they CAN be. I didn't buy this pack for yet another version of Jack: I wanted Zero.
Undersea Gal: ----
Rating something like this requires a step back. On their own, the cauldron and stool are highly impressive, but they need to be considered in the context of the pack. The Undersea Gal really isn't a sixteen dollar figure, which is what this started out as. She's a small, simple toy that really needs some added value. And there's no question that NECA added that value. The cauldron is awesome, both in idea and execution. The gal comes apart at the waist, and you plug her into the cauldron. Basically, you're getting the equivalent of an alternate pair of legs, only better. |
I'm assuming the cauldron is meant to go on the stool, because otherwise I'm not sure what it's for. It's been about a year since I last saw the movie, though, so I could be forgetting something.
At any rate, while this would really be above and beyond with a larger, more impressive figure, here it's just kind of required. After all, on her own the Undersea Gal is less impressive than EITHER the Behemoth or Bunny.
At any rate, while this would really be above and beyond with a larger, more impressive figure, here it's just kind of required. After all, on her own the Undersea Gal is less impressive than EITHER the Behemoth or Bunny.
The stand was required, and the horn is trivial. But, in the end, there's enough "extras" attached to the figure himself to render the argument moot.
Behemoth (with Bunny): +2
I considered pushing this up another point to match Jack, but I think my initial assessment was right. It's hard to get a better "accessory" than a second figure, but these are both relatively small toys to begin with. Besides, I just can't bring myself to admit I was wrong twice in one day.
I considered pushing this up another point to match Jack, but I think my initial assessment was right. It's hard to get a better "accessory" than a second figure, but these are both relatively small toys to begin with. Besides, I just can't bring myself to admit I was wrong twice in one day.
Play and Display:
Pajama Jack: ----
Jack came a hair away from a bonus point here. His articulation is fairly strong: he's got ball-jointed shoulders as well as ball joints on both ends of his neck, pin jointed knees and elbows, cut joints... well, cut joints all over, a 'T' style waist mostly restrained by his shirt, and double pin joints on his wrists.
I should add that, while that's all well and good, the none of the joints below his chest are going to do you much good, because Jack doesn't have a great deal of balance. You're going to need his base if you want him to stand, and even then you'll need to fine tune the legs until you find something that works.
Then don't cough, because he still isn't all that sturdy. For my series one Jack, I ended up using a second stand which attaches to his leg. Alternately, I suppose you could prop him up against a wall or use some wire to get him where you want him.
The head, on the other hand, offers a great range of motion and poses. You can get some great effects by tilting it and moving the neck.
The arms and hands are also good, giving you some additional options. The double joints on the wrists allow them to tilt and turn: you can do a great deal with this. I almost gave Jack a bonus point for upper body articulation.
What stopped me? The joints are loose. In particular, Jack can't support the weight of his "Scientific Method" book, preventing him from holding that up. That was the hair, I'm afraid.
Jack came a hair away from a bonus point here. His articulation is fairly strong: he's got ball-jointed shoulders as well as ball joints on both ends of his neck, pin jointed knees and elbows, cut joints... well, cut joints all over, a 'T' style waist mostly restrained by his shirt, and double pin joints on his wrists.
I should add that, while that's all well and good, the none of the joints below his chest are going to do you much good, because Jack doesn't have a great deal of balance. You're going to need his base if you want him to stand, and even then you'll need to fine tune the legs until you find something that works.
Then don't cough, because he still isn't all that sturdy. For my series one Jack, I ended up using a second stand which attaches to his leg. Alternately, I suppose you could prop him up against a wall or use some wire to get him where you want him.
The head, on the other hand, offers a great range of motion and poses. You can get some great effects by tilting it and moving the neck.
The arms and hands are also good, giving you some additional options. The double joints on the wrists allow them to tilt and turn: you can do a great deal with this. I almost gave Jack a bonus point for upper body articulation.
What stopped me? The joints are loose. In particular, Jack can't support the weight of his "Scientific Method" book, preventing him from holding that up. That was the hair, I'm afraid.
Undersea Gal: +1
She was either getting a bonus point here or under extras. In the end, I felt like it belonged here. I'll tell you right now, though, I'm not rewarding articulation. The Undersea Gal has a pitiful three joints: a ball jointed head, a pin jointed jaw, and joint inside the figure where the tail connects. To be fair, all of these are very impressive joints. The head can tilt and turn, and the mouth gives you some great characterization without damaging the integrity of the sculpt. I didn't even notice the waist joint at first: it's hidden inside the figure. It seems to be there for balance, so you can get the figure to stand with tail attached. And that, by the way, is the real reason for the bonus. The figure can stand - well, I'd add - on her tail, and she can sit in her cauldron. If you're so inclined, you can even put her tail in behind her, but there's nothing for it to attach to. |
The problem is with the arms: instead of including conventional joints, they're bendy. While bendable limbs can work in certain situations - NECA did a good job with 9, for example - they rarely give you the range of movement you want. That's certainly the case here, where they're somewhat limited. I can get some decent elbow articulation, but nothing in the shoulders where I really want it.
Still, it's better than nothing, and the alternating cauldron and tail are enough for a +1.
Still, it's better than nothing, and the alternating cauldron and tail are enough for a +1.
Clown: ----
This is one of those +1/-1 situations. Let's begin with the good then move on to the bad. The strong point of this character is balance. This is, in some ways, basically a plastic statue, and it works well in this capacity. Despite being connected by a small, thin metal pole, I haven't had any trouble getting him to stay put. In addition, he has some limited articulation: the head is a cut joint, the shoulders and legs are ball jointed, the elbows are cut, and the unicycle turns. None of this gives you a huge range of motion, but you do have a few posing options through the arms and head (the legs are really just articulated so you can fine tune). |
Earlier, I expressed my confusion at the motif of the "Clown with a tear-away face." That doesn't mean I don't want them to keep with the motif.
The first hint that you're not getting that feature is on the packaging: "Clown," opposed to "Clown with tear-away face." Sure enough, his face is part of his head and it's not coming off without a Dremel. Oddly enough, the inside of his mouth is hollow, so I assume that, at some point, he was intended to have a removable face. I don't know whether this was abandoned in the planning stage or in production, but that thing isn't coming off. In addition, be aware he can't hold his accessory. Personally, I could care less: I'm happy with how he looks without it. While I'd like to reward the balance, I can't overlook the missing feature. It wouldn't have been that hard - or expensive - to include. |
Behemoth (with Bunny): ----
Once again, take a look at the original: decent articulation, but nothing major.
Once again, take a look at the original: decent articulation, but nothing major.
Price Tag and Final Analysis:
Jack and Behemoth: 10+
Undersea Gal and Clown: 9/10
These are all good figures: honestly, NECA doesn't make much that isn't at least good. But two of these sets are great, and they're Jack and the Behemoth. What's interesting is that that's less a reflection of Jack or the Behemoth than it is of their accessories. In both cases, solid figures become exceptional values because of what they come with. Even at full price - around sixteen, if you can still find them - they're a bargain. At eight? Zero, along with his bed and bowl, are worth eight bucks. So is the bunny.
The Clown is a bit more complicated. If you can overlook the fact his face isn't detachable, then this is an awesome display piece. This might be little more than a statue, but he's a great statue. Sixteen isn't a bad deal if you know what you're getting. Eight is, once more, a great price.
The Undersea Gal is the only one of the four I'd hesitate to recommend at full price. Twelve, on the other hand, sounds about fair, and eight is still a bargain.
I don't know why these showed up, but if there's a National Wholesale Liquidators near you, I'd stop in and see if there are any left.
Undersea Gal and Clown: 9/10
These are all good figures: honestly, NECA doesn't make much that isn't at least good. But two of these sets are great, and they're Jack and the Behemoth. What's interesting is that that's less a reflection of Jack or the Behemoth than it is of their accessories. In both cases, solid figures become exceptional values because of what they come with. Even at full price - around sixteen, if you can still find them - they're a bargain. At eight? Zero, along with his bed and bowl, are worth eight bucks. So is the bunny.
The Clown is a bit more complicated. If you can overlook the fact his face isn't detachable, then this is an awesome display piece. This might be little more than a statue, but he's a great statue. Sixteen isn't a bad deal if you know what you're getting. Eight is, once more, a great price.
The Undersea Gal is the only one of the four I'd hesitate to recommend at full price. Twelve, on the other hand, sounds about fair, and eight is still a bargain.
I don't know why these showed up, but if there's a National Wholesale Liquidators near you, I'd stop in and see if there are any left.
Pictures? You want pictures? Take a look below: I've got more of those. When you're done, stop by my blog, The Middle Room. I've even started updating it again.