Review: Skeleflex Warriors: Gorillius
I remember when I wasn't collecting these. It wasn't actually that long ago, actually. I'd heard about Skeleflex on Shortpacked, a webcomic anyone visiting this site is required to read. I was kind of intrigued, but I certainly wasn't collecting them. Then, during a routine stop at Toys R Us, I found Akafly and Spinosaurus on clearance. I remembered the comic, and picked them up - they were awfully cheap, after all. Those were pretty impressive, so I bought Stegosaurus soon after. Then I picked up Skullkor. And Octoattack. And the huge motorized T-Rex set. I added Velociraptor and Fang-O-Flex to the pile soon after. And then - wouldn't you know it - the Warriors packs got cheap, and I bought Skelestriker, Centoro, and Mynotorg.
But it's not like I bought Gorillius; not at $8.
Well, he dropped to $6 during one of Toys R Us's 25%-off-clearance sales. So....
But when did THIS become the line where I bordered on completist? I guess the answer is when the figures got dirt cheap. Anyway, Gorillius, like his kin, is produced by Wild Planet and is available on the Island of Misfit Toys and wherever toys remain on the shelves unloved and unpurchased.
But it's not like I bought Gorillius; not at $8.
Well, he dropped to $6 during one of Toys R Us's 25%-off-clearance sales. So....
But when did THIS become the line where I bordered on completist? I guess the answer is when the figures got dirt cheap. Anyway, Gorillius, like his kin, is produced by Wild Planet and is available on the Island of Misfit Toys and wherever toys remain on the shelves unloved and unpurchased.
Appearance and Construction: 4/10
Gorrilius is weird. Not in a bad way, necessarily, just in a... weird... way. The issue comes down to a simple question: what IS this?
The name and packaging, of course, points you towards a great ape. And his small feet and large hands certainly point in that direction. So, then, what's up with the horn and fins on the head? Why does he have a tail (assuming that is a tail - more on that in a minute)?
I have a theory about Gorrilius. I don't have evidence for this theory, but I think it's pretty good one. I think the concept shifted between sculpt and release. And I don't think it changed for the better.
To me, the skull looks like it was intended to belong to a troll or ogre, which also works with the spiked club and scratched armor. It's also reminiscent of the monster at the end of Conan The Destroyer. If you've never seen that movie, by the way, you're very lucky. Make sure you see Conan: The Barbarian, but skip the sequel.
The name and packaging, of course, points you towards a great ape. And his small feet and large hands certainly point in that direction. So, then, what's up with the horn and fins on the head? Why does he have a tail (assuming that is a tail - more on that in a minute)?
I have a theory about Gorrilius. I don't have evidence for this theory, but I think it's pretty good one. I think the concept shifted between sculpt and release. And I don't think it changed for the better.
To me, the skull looks like it was intended to belong to a troll or ogre, which also works with the spiked club and scratched armor. It's also reminiscent of the monster at the end of Conan The Destroyer. If you've never seen that movie, by the way, you're very lucky. Make sure you see Conan: The Barbarian, but skip the sequel.
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Sorry for the digression, but let's face it: these things are important. At any rate, I think that someone in marketing looked at the skull and didn't know what to do with it. I think someone thought this would sell better as an apish creature than a generic ogre, so they swapped out the legs for something shorter.
I still have no idea why they included a miniature tail. Or is a stinger? Anyway, the skull looks fantastic; great work. The body winds up being a little awkward. I actually prefer the figure with the lower arms and legs switched. I'm going with a four this time, largely due to the lack of paint these guys always get docked for. I really like the head, though: it's a shame the rest of the figure doesn't continue with the theme. |
Packaging and Extras: +1
The skeletal hand packaging we saw with the other figures in this line shows up here, as well. Once again, it's sculpted in the same color as the figure:
I want to draw your attention to this bit of text from the back: "No enemy can match his apelike strength and brutal weaponry." Indeed. And they say poetry is dead.
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Gorrilius does fairly well in terms of accessories. His war club is fun, and his breastplate is cool. He's also got some shoulder pieces and leg bands, but these aren't quite as interesting. The shoulder pieces are a little awkward, since his arms aren't symetrical - you're given a thicker bone for his right arm than his left. You also get a couple of flex joints, but these aren't useful for much. As with the other figures in the Warriors line, he doesn't have a poster. The instructions are laid out on the back of the cardboard wrapped around the case. Also like most of the others, I'm not awarding the accessories (though they're actually pretty cool). Given that Gorillius isn't all that substantial on his own, I consider these extras essential. I will, however, once again award a bonus point for the carrying case. Not that I need another of these things, but it's the thought that counts. |
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Play and Display: +2
As always, Skeleflex figures include amazing articulation. This time, that comes with a few caveats. Several of the joints are really loose, which hinders the figures balance and ability to hold up his weapon. This might just be an issue with my set, though, so take this with a grain of salt.
I'm also pulling down the bonus a bit because of the piece assortment. The mismatched arms, while certainly making a degree of sense for a barbaric warrior, interact differently with the shoulder guards. It's difficult to get the piece on the larger bone and have it look good.
If you're like me, you'll make some adjustments to the figure to get it looking a little more ogrish. I swapped the lower legs with the arms, so he could stand up straight, and I lost the tail/stinger. Of course, this gives him T-Rex style forearms, but I don't see a solution to that unless I buy another pack (hey, if they keep dropping in price I'll consider it).
If Skeleflex had chosen a single color to cast their bones in (or a few colors) rather than making each pack unique, you could mix and match the pieces without winding up with a rainbow assortment. As it is, I like that the pieces are interchangeable, but wish they looked better in the process.
I'm also pulling down the bonus a bit because of the piece assortment. The mismatched arms, while certainly making a degree of sense for a barbaric warrior, interact differently with the shoulder guards. It's difficult to get the piece on the larger bone and have it look good.
If you're like me, you'll make some adjustments to the figure to get it looking a little more ogrish. I swapped the lower legs with the arms, so he could stand up straight, and I lost the tail/stinger. Of course, this gives him T-Rex style forearms, but I don't see a solution to that unless I buy another pack (hey, if they keep dropping in price I'll consider it).
If Skeleflex had chosen a single color to cast their bones in (or a few colors) rather than making each pack unique, you could mix and match the pieces without winding up with a rainbow assortment. As it is, I like that the pieces are interchangeable, but wish they looked better in the process.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 7/10
Despite having a fantastic head and some decent accessories, Gorrilius is my second least favorite of the Warriors line (coming in ahead of Skelestriker, obviously).
He's a good toy, but only an okay collectible. That said, if you get creative, there's a lot of custom potential in that skull on his shoulders.
Like I said at the beginning, I bought this for six bucks after it wouldn't sell at thirteen or eight. I'll actually be a little surprised if these don't fall even further before the last of them disappear from shelves.
He's a good toy, but only an okay collectible. That said, if you get creative, there's a lot of custom potential in that skull on his shoulders.
Like I said at the beginning, I bought this for six bucks after it wouldn't sell at thirteen or eight. I'll actually be a little surprised if these don't fall even further before the last of them disappear from shelves.
You can find more of my rambling over at The Middle Room. Or, why not take a look at some of my short fiction? And, if you like that, you could always buy that novel I keep plugging!
