[TAO's Note: Clark steps into the world of the upcoming movie, GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, with this review of Para-Viper from Hasbro. The movie might be on its way to a freefall, but does this figure deploy his parachute in time? Continue with this full-length review to see if he can survive the fall!]
Name: Para-Viper
Line: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: Summer 2009
Price: Retail $7.99-$8.99, Online $7.99-$15.99
Accessories: Helmet, goggles, submachine gun, rifle, knife, flippers, sky diving gear, and helipack
Sponsor Listings: Past Generation Toys-$9.95
The 25th anniversary’s figure filecard described the Para-Vipers as highly trained soldiers (all of them former EELS) who would perform HALO jumps to get behind enemy lines. Once there, they would cause havoc and pave the way for a full-scale attack. The movie Para-Vipers have “undergone a procedure that renders them utterly fearless.” Okay, that is not quite as interesting as the 25th anniversary’s take on them, and it seems that all of the Cobra soldiers in the movie line have had some sort of alteration to make them some sort of super soldier. Nevertheless, the Para-Viper is worthy of being added to your ranks.
This figure is a straight repaint of the Para-Viper from the 25th anniversary line. When he is fully geared up, the Para-Viper is one of the most impressive 3.75” G.I. Joe figures that you will find in terms of sculpt. He has details galore, from the ripcord on the front pouch, to the knitted texture of his mask (underneath the helmet), to the altimeter-barometer watch on his wrist. The beauty of this figure is all in the gear. The Helmet looks very much like a fighter pilot’s helmet (something Maverick or Goose would wear). He also has some goggles that can be pulled down over his visor, maybe for some extra retinal protection from the sun if he is diving from a high-flying U2 [TAO: Bono?!?] (I have no idea what I’m talking about). The vest with parachute is what looks absolutely fantastic. It is loaded with pockets, buckles, wrinkles, and it has hoses running from the back into the helmet. Add those beautiful details to the fact that he is loaded with great accessories and you’ve got a winner on your hands. I really can’t say enough on how impressive this toy looks when everything is put together.
Sculpt Score: 10 / 10
As I mentioned earlier, this is a repaint of a 25th anniversary figure. The Para-Viper was an original figure for the 25th anniversary line, meaning he was not based on a preexisting toy like most of the 25th figures were. Many people (including myself) were very impressed with that figure, but some were turned off by its outrageous colors. This figure goes for a much more “stealth” look, which is appropriate so he can sneak through the shadows and take the Joes by surprise. There are more painted details on the parachute and vest than you will find on the 25th version, while the base body is pretty much all black plastic. The paint is very well applied, not being too thick or thin. By working with dark paint on dark and detailed surfaces, if the lines aren’t painted straight, they still don’t look bad. The colors chosen for this figure just look cool, but to be fair and point out possible bias, as a Texas Tech graduate I am partial to pretty much anything that has a red and black color scheme. The darker color scheme ends up being this Para-Viper’s greatest feature over the 25th Anniversary figure, but it is also a weakness to some degree. Because he is primarily black, and a very rich and dark black at that, all of those great details mention in the previous sections are very difficult to see. I had to use the flash on my camera to capture him well, but to the naked eye you miss all kinds of details when compared to the previous released figure. Despite this (or perhaps because of it) his paint and colors look fantastic from any angle.
Paint Score: 9 / 10
The Para-Viper has the same points of articulation as all other G.I. Joe figures these days, and he has a great range of motion associated with all of them. Even when wearing his full gear, which is somewhat restrictive, he still poses very well. I can’t really explain it, but he is just fun to pose. I think it is because all of his joints have the perfect amount of friction (the same can be said for the 25th anniversary figure I have as well) which makes them feel strong and smooth-moving. The only complaint is that his head cannot move when wearing the helmet or the hoses will pop out, but that is it, no other complaints after that.
Articulation Score: 8 / 10
With the amount of accessories that this figure has you just can’t help but have loads of fun with him. You can have your Para-Viper land a large body of water, then use his flippers to swim to shore or sneak onto a ship. Maybe he lands up in the hills near the Joes’ camp and needs to pick them off from a safe distance, good thing he comes with a long rifle that has a bipod to steady his shot, it has no telescopic sight but he is so good he doesn’t need one (by the way, the rifle has a removable bipod, removable clip, and folding stock). If he is involved in a firefight he has a submachine gun with which to defend himself, and a knife for more slow and personal kills. He also comes with a heli-pack which, according to the filecard, allows him to maintain extended flight undetected, but the thing is a big chunk of plastic lame. It is supposed to be able to plug into his back, but the hole in the back of his vest and the hole in his body do not line up so it falls out, but even if it plugged in properly I still wouldn’t use it. The point is to throw away the big projectile-firing weapon and you’ve got incredibly fun toy.
Fun Score: 10 / 10
I picked up ROC Para-Viper for $6.99 at Target, but even at $7.99 he is a great value. For all of the accessories, great sculpt, and great play value you get, the eight dollars is not too much. If you missed your chance to get the 25th Anniversary figure, or if you passed on him because of his colors, then keep your eyes open for this version. The first Para-Viper released was incredibly popular, and I bet this movie-conception will be too, so if you see one just get him.
Value Score: 8 / 10
10 / 10 - Fantastic sculpt and cool gear which fits great, great looking accessories for the most part too.
9 / 10 - Very cool choice of colors with well-applied paint.
8 / 10 - Great range of motion for all the joints, very fun to pose.
10 / 10 - Accessories give this toy all kinds of play value.
8 / 10 - This is a fantastic figure, $8 is not too much for him.
90 / 100 - This is a Wonderful Toy
I love this figure, he is great fun and comes with great accessories. However, I must let you know that if I could only keep one Para-Viper then it would be the 25th Anniversary version. Yes his colors are extremely ‘cartoony,’ but I find them endearing and more interesting, they also show off the sculpted details better than does this mostly black color scheme. Regardless, if you like what you see in the pictures then do not hesitate to pick up this bad guy if and when you see him, you won’t be disappointed.
-Clark
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