Hot Toys Alien 3 Dog Alien Review

Well it's been well over a week since I updated by blog, I've been on my hols to the North East of England (visiting parents). Tried to get this post on before I left but no such luck tsk.

Anyway moving on, I bought this recently when I noticed Forbidden Planet had this fella in stock and just couldn't resist!

Of course this is the Dog Alien as seen in the movie Alien 3 (or Xenomorph if your a bit of a geek like me). Although I consider it to be a pretty average movie I have to say that I always loved the Alien concept in Alien 3, a more streamlined Alien that was a quadruped due to gestating inside a dog or cow depending on which version of the film you watch heh.

Iron Man Mark 6 Diamond Select Review

Well bit of a break from 1/6 scale again. I saw these the other day in a local Forbidden Planet store. Recently I've been tempted by smaller scale figures and I'm pleased I went for this one. This is Diamond Selects Iron Man Mark VI from the movie Iron Man 2. He stands approx 7" and is actually pretty good.

So to get things started I thought I'd mention the flight wings on his back, pretty simple but a nice feature that could easily have been missed off. The articulation works ok, though his legs are pretty bad and only have a very small range of movement. Seems they sculpted the figure without thinking about his hips. The little fins block most movement tsk.

Overall the quality of the plastic is pretty good and he really feels heavy and sturdy. The paint work looks great and really rich, though I have to say that the paint is easily chipped.

Also worth mentioning is, how come the eyes aren't painted? its not just mine, all of them in the store were the same.....

A nice feature is that his helmet is removable and can sit on the top of his head. He also comes with an alternative set of palms which has his fingers spread. These hands make for some cool poses and work well, the hands being ball jointed can strike a wide range of poses. He also comes with a large diorama style stand that is pretty good actually. and adds to the overall look of the figure.

Of course for a £14 figure I couldn't expect much from the face sculpt, it's ok but can't help think he looks a bit oriental heh, seems to always happen with Robert Downey Jr toys, random.

Although not massive, he stands pretty imposingly over Mcfarlane's Master Cheif.

Wor Fred wishing his jumper was such a bonnie shade.

Iron Man, about to bust out some tap dancin moves.

For an Iron Man fan I'd recommend it, it makes a nice little piece just standing on its own and doesn't feel too toyish. (yeah I know it's totally a toy but hey I'll never be too old for toys!)

I've also picked up Diamond Selects War Machine, Keep an eye out for some pictures soon.

Virtual Toys Stone Cold Killers Review (Bruce Willis)

Woo this finally arrived the other day - because of that stupid volcano casting a cloud over the UK all my Hong Kong imports have been massively delayed BAH!!
So let's take a look at it then eh? For those that don't know, this is a figure based on Bruce Willis' performance as Hartigan in the movie Sin City. Yet another movie adaption of a Frank Miller Graphic novel.

The packaging, though simple is nicely done and classy. This is my first Vitual Toys purchase and I'm really pleased with it.

Of course being a smaller less known company, this figure comes minus a body. Not a problem for someone like me that has spare parts kicking about. The head fits onto a range of bodies such as Hot Toy's True Type, or DID's base body. Personally I went for the narrow shoulder True Type, some say the wider shoulder Type Type is better, but I reckon it would make the character appear too buffed up.

Well here he is, all dressed up and things. VTS have done a great job, and for a much lower cost than the usual high end figure.

Some people have really slammed the head sculpt saying its way off, or bug eyed. Can't say I agree though. If anything I'd just say it's a likeness based half on Bruce Willis and half on the character Hartigan.

The Revolver he comes with is pretty good and as you can see opens up. Everything moves as it should and even the little hammer can be pulled back.

The detailing to the bullets is a nice touch too.

Unlike Hot Toys range, the shoes are actually seperate pieces from the foot and slip on and off. I love the detail and the fact they are actually laced up. D.I.D often do this with their models and I don't understand why Hot Toys never use this method.

The raincoat has a wire running through it which allows for walking into the wind type poses. Simple but effective.

The stubble is great, it's just carved onto the sculpt itself but looking at it with the naked eye gives a great effect. The photographs don't really do it justice.

Even this close up the sculpt stands up pretty well. Not bad from such a small firm.

Full on movie pose! The outfit is well stitched and made from a very convincing material.

Here's Wore Fred hopin for an autograph.

Hot Toys Leonidas 300 Review Pt1

This IS SPARTA! Well Personally I loved the movie, and this was a must buy for me. This is King Leonidas from the movie 300, based on the well known Frank Miller graphic novel and of course in turn based on (loosley) the historic events of the battle of Thermopylae. Hot Toys have really outdone themselves here, I mean he's a character with little to no costume on and yet there's still no articulation on show!

His frame is basically a modified True Type body with an outer skin of latex. The skin works really well and better than on previous attempts such as the Predator Arnie figure that Hot Toys have done. The skin doesn't restrict his movement half as much in that instance.

His joints all work well and are pretty stiff. They are capable of holding pretty much any pose you place him into.

I was really suprised how easy it is to get him into poses such as the one above.

Hot Toys decided to include an alternative head sculpt right at the last minute, which is the one above in most of the shots. In the promo pics he had a relaxed face and most people went mad on the forums complaining haha. Guess it pays to whine!

The muscle definition is a teeny bit off compared to Gerrard Butlers chest in the movie, but still overlooking such a small point, he really does look great.

His shield is made from a tough plastic which is painted to great effect to appear bronze.
The arrow heads are detachable and there's even some alternative arrows with their flight tips intact thrown into the set.

The cloak is also really well done , it's made from a very heavy but soft material. It kinda reminds me of those anti-static cloths you get for dusting lcd tvs.

Thought I'd over expose this picture. Heh very arty!

The helmet simply slips off the head and doesn't require any fiddly fasteners or anything. It's made from the same plastic as the shield and again painted to appear bronze. The plume is well done and very life like.

Check back for part two when I look closer at his outfit and accessories that he comes with.

Hot Toys Leonidas 300 Review Pt 2

Ok part two as promised. Btw if you missed part one then go check it out first HERE. Let's take a closer look then at some of his outfit and a closer look at the face without his helmet. I have to be honest and say I really can't decide if I prefer him with or without his helmet.

The above and below face is the one I mentioned in the previous part, in the first promo pictures Leonidas only had this face sculpt. Although it's a great likeness to Butler, it's just a tad bland for me. I do like the thoughtfulness in his face but when it comes to expressions it had to be a shouting face or nothing for this figure.

Ironically the Spartan warrior is always portrayed in this way or very similiar through movies and various media, however as historians have shown, Spartan warriors would more often than not wear full breast armour. They were tough no doubt, but not stupid!

His spear is made from a very light wood and looks great. I personally prefer this look to when he is holding his sword.

Another great piece of detail is the wolf tooth necklace that he comes with.

The shin guards are removable and just highlight the attention this figure has received from Hot Toys. A lesser company would have just sculped the legs as one piece or something cost cutting like that. The shin guards are held in place by tiny leather ties that are at the back of the piece of armour.

His little plaited tail at the back is sculped plastic rather than fake hair. Probably a wise choice, it would have looked out of place compared to the rest of the head.

As with the shin guards, his wrist guards are removable. It's also worth pointing out how well the latex skin works, it folds pretty realistically and gives the impression of real skin.

Another arty shot.

His scabbard is made from a fake leather material and has tiny stitching all the way around. His sword slips into it without any hassle. Very well done.

Here's the set laid out, Different head, spare palms, a spear, removable helmet. If you you collect 1/6 figures I really can't recommend Leonidas enough. Well worth the spend.

Ha think this is the first figure I own that has a beard, wahey!
Keep scrolling for even more pictures. Hope you enjoyed the read.