Review: Predators: Classic Predator
I know a lot of you don't agree, but I really enjoyed Predators. I appreciate the alternate point of view, though: it did bother me that there were hardly any other alien creatures lurking around and that the planetary horizon only seemed to be visible in that one scene. It just didn't bother me that much. And, while it wasn't as cool as the showdown in the original, seeing Adrian Brody do a Conan impression forgave a lot.
Well, NECA made some six inch figures to try and capitalize on the movie's release. Oddly enough, I realized I didn't already own a Predator, so I decided to pick one up. While some of the new versions are pretty great, I decided to go with the "Classic Predator," the one resembling the one that fought at least two former governors in the original movie.
You can find these in some comic and collectibles stores, as well as online. Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen these in Toys R Us yet, though some of NECA's products seem to be making their way back to the retailer's shelves.
Well, NECA made some six inch figures to try and capitalize on the movie's release. Oddly enough, I realized I didn't already own a Predator, so I decided to pick one up. While some of the new versions are pretty great, I decided to go with the "Classic Predator," the one resembling the one that fought at least two former governors in the original movie.
You can find these in some comic and collectibles stores, as well as online. Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen these in Toys R Us yet, though some of NECA's products seem to be making their way back to the retailer's shelves.
Appearance and Construction: 9/10
What NECA does in the six inch scale, most companies can't pull off in twelve. While it's not perfect, the level of detail they manage to incorporate into these sculpts is staggering.
The ridges and spots on the Predator's head are about as close to screen accurate as I could imagine, and the hair is basically flawless. The paint is a little uneven around the mouth and the plastic is a bit too glossy, but these minor issues are barely worth mentioning.
The figure is impressive all over, though the body and armor are slightly less amazing than the head. Only slightly, though.
The netting over the Predator's body is both sculpted and painted, thought there's some missing paint on lower left stomach of mine. The wrist weapons are good, but the level of detail gets less impressive on close inspection. This deviates from most of the figure, whose individually sculpted warts get more impressive the closer you look at it. Don't look too close though, or those claws might put out an eye.
There's no denying this is incredible work. In fact, I almost gave it a ten. But there are just enough minor issues around the armor and the netting to hold him back. Even so, he's right on the line.
The ridges and spots on the Predator's head are about as close to screen accurate as I could imagine, and the hair is basically flawless. The paint is a little uneven around the mouth and the plastic is a bit too glossy, but these minor issues are barely worth mentioning.
The figure is impressive all over, though the body and armor are slightly less amazing than the head. Only slightly, though.
The netting over the Predator's body is both sculpted and painted, thought there's some missing paint on lower left stomach of mine. The wrist weapons are good, but the level of detail gets less impressive on close inspection. This deviates from most of the figure, whose individually sculpted warts get more impressive the closer you look at it. Don't look too close though, or those claws might put out an eye.
There's no denying this is incredible work. In fact, I almost gave it a ten. But there are just enough minor issues around the armor and the netting to hold him back. Even so, he's right on the line.
Packaging and Extras: ----
The packaging accomplishes its job of showing off the figure. Frankly, if I made something that looked this good, I'd want to make it as easy to see as possible.
The back offers a more or less uninspired synopsis of the movie, along with pictures of the other figures. Also, there's some alien writing on the bottom. I'm sure someone on the internet can translate it.
 |
The Predator comes with one accessory: his shoulder gun/backpack. I had some trouble getting it one and off, though, because his hair tends to get in the way. The gun has a couple of joints, so you can point it at whoever or whatever you want.
Overall, it's a decent piece, but I'm not sure I consider it up to par with the rest of the figure. It could definitely have used some paint, and I'll probably display my Predator sans gun. I appreciate there's not a lot this guy had in the movie, but I'd have loved to get some of his other weapons; say, the spear or something. Barring that, I'm a little disappointed NECA's no longer handing out elaborate bases like candy on Halloween. On the other hand, while the far less detailed mass-market six and seven inch figures have gradually increased in price to the point where they basically cost as much, NECA's prices have basically been locked in place for the past four or five years. So I'm just going to consider the missing base expected and the backpack as fulfilling the requirement for some sort of accessory. |
Play and Display: +1
For the most part, when NECA makes a toy with a statue-quality sculpt, you can expect statue-quality articulation, which is to say next to nothing. I was actually pleasantly surprised to discover that this wasn't the case this time.
That doesn't mean this is approaching DC Universe Classics level. But that's okay. NECA's had a long commitment to appearance over play value: like the packaging says, this isn't for kids.
What NECA's done here is try to find every opportunity to slip in a joint without disrupting the sculpt. While the resulting range of motion is fairly uneven, it's nevertheless successful. They've packed a lot of options into this while keeping the majority of joints nearly invisible.
Here's the list: ball jointed head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles, cuts on the upper legs and waist, 'V' - style hips, and extending claws. Most of those work well, too: you can get a good range of motion. The 'V' hips are limiting, but I can certainly respect the choice they made. In addition, as I mentioned above, the gun has a couple of joints (pivoting stand and a ball joint at top). Also, the hair is soft enough you can position it in a couple different ways.
I really wish they'd have worked in cut biceps, but I understand that's not their style.
I'm not sure it counts as an issue, but be aware the head has a tendency of popping off during posing. This might be intentional, actually, since it makes it possible for the backpack to go on.
All things considered, I'm giving the Predator a bonus point for the articulation.
That doesn't mean this is approaching DC Universe Classics level. But that's okay. NECA's had a long commitment to appearance over play value: like the packaging says, this isn't for kids.
What NECA's done here is try to find every opportunity to slip in a joint without disrupting the sculpt. While the resulting range of motion is fairly uneven, it's nevertheless successful. They've packed a lot of options into this while keeping the majority of joints nearly invisible.
Here's the list: ball jointed head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles, cuts on the upper legs and waist, 'V' - style hips, and extending claws. Most of those work well, too: you can get a good range of motion. The 'V' hips are limiting, but I can certainly respect the choice they made. In addition, as I mentioned above, the gun has a couple of joints (pivoting stand and a ball joint at top). Also, the hair is soft enough you can position it in a couple different ways.
I really wish they'd have worked in cut biceps, but I understand that's not their style.
I'm not sure it counts as an issue, but be aware the head has a tendency of popping off during posing. This might be intentional, actually, since it makes it possible for the backpack to go on.
All things considered, I'm giving the Predator a bonus point for the articulation.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 10/10
Yeah, this is a pretty great figure. NECA's one of the companies I don't bother trying to wait for a deal: their figures rarely make it to clearance. This time's no exception: I paid $15.99 at Forbidden Planet (that's the one in New York, if you were wondering), which is retail price.
He was worth it. Sure, there are things I wish they'd changed. I'd be willing to settle for a disrupted sculpt for better hip joints, for instance, and I'd have loved more accessories and a base. But, given what toys go for these days, sixteen bucks is a fair price for something of this quality.
Also, it's nice finally having a Predator. The display potential is kind of amazing. Really, take just about any action figure, put a Predator behind it, and you've got a display.
He was worth it. Sure, there are things I wish they'd changed. I'd be willing to settle for a disrupted sculpt for better hip joints, for instance, and I'd have loved more accessories and a base. But, given what toys go for these days, sixteen bucks is a fair price for something of this quality.
Also, it's nice finally having a Predator. The display potential is kind of amazing. Really, take just about any action figure, put a Predator behind it, and you've got a display.
I know what you're thinking: that you should check out my other reviews, my articles, my movie and geek culture blog, and my short fiction. And - let's be honest - you should do all that. But FIRST you should really check out my One Shot comic featuring the Predator over at Articulated Discussion.
But, whatever you do, don't keep scrolling down, because if you do, you'll get caught up in the ridiculous number of additional pictures and never get around to any of that other stuff.
But, whatever you do, don't keep scrolling down, because if you do, you'll get caught up in the ridiculous number of additional pictures and never get around to any of that other stuff.
 |
 |
And, finally, just in case you thought the Predator was the only one to take trophies....
