I'm always stunned whenever Hot Toys announces a new figure. Almost without fail, every new release is more amazing than the last, and once again, I can't believe my eyes. War Machine looks incredible, even for Hot Toys, and I might just find a way to lay down $200 to get him. Keep reading for my thoughts on these new images and a deeper look at this fantastic figure based on the upcoming Iron Man 2 movie.
I'm just going to let you soak in the image below before I say anything else. Go ahead, take your time, do whatever you have to (you won't find judgment here), and then commence reading below.
Wow. Everything about this figure looks absolutely stunning. For so much detail and geometric perfection to be packed in to a 12 inch frame, Hot Toys must have sold some shares to the devil. I'd just as easily believed they were tricking us with a shot of a lifesize version instead. This may be their best work yet. His proportions look splendid, his detail is top-notch, the articulation is so invisible it might as well be nonexistent, and it seems every single piece was lovingly developed to look identical to the movie. What Iron Man fan isn't going to be willing to sell a kidney to get this figure?
I won't get into the "comforts" of a crotch-stand, but War Machine isn't light on accessories either. His hands will apparently (according to the Hot Toys website) light up and one pair even includes articulated fingers. His eyes and chest get the light-up feature as well, so no expense was spared making this figure as realistic and accurate as possible. The armor has articulated flaps and movable sections, and in total he still manages to have 36 points of articulation (although I imagine much of it will be rather limited in its range of motion). This will most certainly be at the top of many people's lists for Toy of the Year, and deservedly so I'd say.
And then there's the extra head, which includes a Don Cheadle likeness underneath the removable mask. It's eerily life-like as expected, although it seems just a little bit off in the likeness department to me. That may in fact just be because of the way any head would look stuffed into a helmet. That's not to say it isn't beautifully painted and sculpted, because every single pore and color variation seems to be accounted for. If you look closely, you'll see some stressed paint details worked onto the armor as well, another wonderful touch that will really add to the authenticity. Whether seen up close or as a whole, this figure is still a stunner. The only thing holding it back is that a vast majority of us won't be able to afford it. So despite how sensational it is, and how much we slobber over it today, most of us (probably including me) are only going to get as close as these photos.
9 / 10 - Must Have It
It's a perfect looking toy, and any action figure collector would be proud to own it, but thanks to its cost, one can only anticipate it so much. It's definitely a "must have" toy, just not quite for $200.
What's your Anticipation score?
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