This is definitely one of the scariest looking toys I own, even though the game he comes from isn't that frightening at all. Check out this terrifying brute from NECA's Player Select Resident Evil 5 line. Executioner Majini, it's time for you to meet your reviewer.
Name: Executioner Majini
Line: Player Select, Resident Evil 5
Manufacturer: NECA
Released: 2nd Quarter 2009
Price: Retail: $13.00-$18.00, Online: $8.00-$20.00
Scale: 7.00 in. (Figure in 8.00 in. tall)
Accessories: Giant axe
Sponsor Listings: Big Bad Toy Store (set of 3)-$44.99, Amazon-$7.95
This is without any doubts an amazingly sculpted toy. He features so many small details, elaborate textures, and surprisingly realistic shapes and lines (such as with his clothes). NECA took the already strong video game model and really turned it up a notch for this figure. His clothes "hang" quite naturally, including his hood, which was probably very difficult to capture, and the scars/nails piercing his skin look perfect. His axe is equally stunning (and imposing, the thing is enormous), with cool metal details, chains strung naturally around it, and a blade that looks convincingly pointy. The only problem I have with this technically superb piece are some design issues, such as the top of the apron which isn't connected to his upper body, and tends to flare out away from his chest unnaturally. I understand that this choice was made to allow him a functioning waist swivel, which I appreciate, but finding a way to reign in the flapping apron top would have made more sense, especially since the straps are sculpt onto his chest, and it looks weird that they're not quite touching the apron itself. A very small complaint (with good reason) amongst an amazing sculpt.
Sculpt Score: 9 / 10
They sure didn't skimp on the paint here, as this is one detailed fellow. There are so many little washes, dirt applications, and splatter effects to really bring this guy and his accessory to life, and it really pays off. He's got mud or blood painted in very natural ways almost everywhere, along with drybrushing to bring out textures, and all the colors come from a very muted palette (except for the bold red blood), which makes him all the more scary. The blood smears on his apron are masterfully done, I love how soaked his arms look, and the grime thrown across the bottom of his apron and pants is really nifty. Even the grotesque scar and stitches on his back are really well done. There are a few spots where applications could have been tidier, mainly around the belt and apron string on his back, and I also have a small concern on his axe, where the dirt/blood wash doesn't come all the way to the edge of where chain interrupts the sculpt of the axe, making it look a little weird around that spot.
Paint Score: 9 / 10
The Resident Evil line is one of NECA's more articulated figures (as are most of their video game toys), but old Executioner here is a bit more limited. His upper body has a relatively fair amount of points (including a limited swivel neck), but his lower body is almost totally devoid of any points. His legs are just sculpted into a squatted pose, with a bit of a swivel at the ankles. This might sound like a terrible limitation, but there is a good reason for it; it's done so that he'll be able to hold up his enormous (and heavy) axe. Adding any leg articulation might have made him much too weak and flimsy to hold up that monstrosity, and with these stiff and sturdy legs, he can just manage to do it. Of course, it wreaks all kinds of havoc on his wrist joints, loosening the swivels until they're very easy to pop out, almost making them ball joints of sorts. Once you find the perfect balance for his axe, I don't recommend moving him, and I do recommend keeping an eye on the wrists, because they're bound to be weakening. You can see in the photo below how his left wrist is about to come free of the joint. I would normally score him a little lower than this, but since he has good reason for his limited articulation, he nets a bonus point.
Articulation Score: 5 / 10
If running around from a giant guy with an even bigger (and bloody) axe if your idea of fun, then give this guy a twelve. He definitely has a shelf presence and foreboding awe about him that makes him a real joy to pose along Chris and Sheva on the shelf, but I don't know just how much playing you can really do with him outside of that. His articulation is really limited, and even just getting him to "swing" the axe is pretty much impossible. Sure he can hold it over his head, but it's not very threatening when it just stays up there. Then again, given all the details in the paint and sculpt, it's just fun to show this guy off, because even non-toy people will probably appreciate him, especially around this time of year. The giant accessory could definitely be used elsewhere too (maybe even at the 12 inch scale?), extending the play potential of this guy.
Fun Score: 7 / 10
These figure were retailing for roughly $14-$16 when they first started hitting in the spring, and while they're probably still hanging around your Toys R Us shelf, they might even be cheaper by now, and are available at some deep discounts online. Even at the $15 price point, there is a lot of toy in the package. This is a big figure, with a gigantic accessory, and each have some noticeable weight to them, so it's not like you're going to feel ripped off there. The sculpting and paint are also top-notch, and you know that adds to costs in production, but also makes this fellow feel like he's worth a couple dollars more. And when you consider the licensing fee they have to pay alongside everything else, you might just start to wonder how they can even make money on this fellow at $15. I don't know what else they could have stuffed into the package here. There are only two things holding this guy back here: one is the potential for broken wrists from holding his accessory, and the second is the high potential for the tiny nails falling out of his hood. I've already lost a few, and even a couple have gone missing since I started writing the review. I'm not always the nicest guy to my figures (putting them in piles sometimes), but it's definitely something to watch out for, so you might need to keep this guy quarantined to avoid that issue.
Value Score: 9 / 10
79 / 100 - This is a Good Toy
Executioner Majini almost makes a better a statue than he does a toy, thanks to the amazing aethestics he offers, but he's still pretty fun despite the lacking articulation, and if you can find him at a good price, I do recommend you pick him up. Just pray your toys don't come alive at night, because this one would be a real threat.
-The Articulated One
This could be the figure given away in this month's Review Commentator Contest. Join the discussion by leaving a comment for a chance to win!
Articulated Discussion is also giving away three DC Universe Classics Wave 10 figures, so check out the DC Universe Classics Wave 10 Classified Contest to see how to win!
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