Review: Funko Gremlins Cinema Gremlin ReAction Figure

Despite the frozen joints on the Cinema Gremlin, I wanted to make it work - and thankfully, it's doable. Some figures' limbs will not budge, so it's a gamble - this one paid off. The figure shares the same basic body as Stripe and the Bandit Gremlin, but sports a popcorn bucket and one of those most hilarious comedy props in the 1980s, 3-D Glasses. (See also: Swedish Chef in The Muppets Take Manhattan, Billy Zane in Back to the Future.) Add glasses to anything and it's automatically better.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko Gremlins Christmas Gizmo ReAction Figure

I wanted to wait to open the Gremlins figures for Christmas reviews... maybe that was a mistake. The quality of this line has been up and down, which resulted in my initial reaction (oh wow! I'll buy every last one of these!) to apprehension to disappointment. I had three Doc Browns break out of the package. A Predator seemed OK, but it turns out the joint in the arm wasn't actually turning - it was twisting and broke off. Boiling water helped loosen some stuck joints, but the night I opened Christmas Gizmo, I found he had a stuck right arm. I figured, well, let's try the Cinema Gremlin - all five joints were stuck and couldn't move. Stripe with Chainsaw had one stuck arm, but the legs were warped so he can't stand. Since the Mogwai Stripe and Billy Peltzer figures I looked at earlier were both good, this was really heartbreaking. I'm going to see if I can boil or freeze the joints into working order, but generally it just means something is going to break. With that in mind, let me preemptively advise caution - Funko makes a lot of neat stuff, but their return policies and CS on broken toys is basically "take it back to the store." With that in mind, I advise strongly on buying these figures to leave in the packaging if you plan to buy them at all. This isn't meant to sound like sour grapes, but when 3 of the 5 figures have assembly problems we've got real issues.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Super7 x Funko Alien ReAction Nostromo Crew (Dallas, Kane, Lambert) ReAction Figures

Owing much of its design aesthetic to the original Kenner Star Wars and Alien lines, Super7's New York Comic Con exclusive Nostromo Crew (Dallas, Kane, Lambert) further fleshes out a very interesting, glacially paced line of releases. The ship crew has been growing, but still isn't complete - this set gives us our very first Lambert (Veronica Cartwright) figure in this format, with another Dallas (#2) and another Kane (#4). These figures were teased - a very Kenner move - on the Alien Egg Chamber Playset Box and (of memory serves) at San Diego Comic-Con a couple of years ago, so actually getting these figures is a nifty thing in and of itself. All that's left is ship crew versions of Lambert, Jonesey, Parker, and Brett. I think that'd be sufficient.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko Nightmare Before Christmas Mayor

Rarely do I have much to say about smell, but this The Nightmare Before Christmas Mayor has a whiff very similar to the Onell Design Glyos figures. It's hard to miss. The figure itself is neat, but it doesn't ring true to the ReAction aesthetic - that is, a shameless replication of the Star Wars form factor of 1978-1985. His foot pegs holes are even a different size - the end result is a better figure that, while not totally out of place in the line, really just shows that there's a sliding scale as far as authenticity goes on this line.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko Nightmare Before Christmas Behemoth

As one of the people lucky enough to be aware of The Nightmare Before Christmas months before anyone saw it thanks to Tomart's Action Figure Digest I was also lucky enough to scope out the toys as they were new. I didn't buy many - I still regret that, but I was also pretty young and unable to find work. So this Behemoth is the first one I've ever owned - and it's pretty great. He feels like a bulky, beefy Kenner figure of old (not unlike a Sise Fromm or a Rancor Keeper) with sculpting and detailing pretty much on the mark. Given the use of puppets, there's really no reason to get it "wrong" as there is a disgustingly large quantity of photos.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Super7 x Funko Alien ReAction Kane (with Facehugger) ReAction Figure

Taking a page from modern toys, Kane (with Facehugger) gives us a reason to buy two of the same guy instead of one guy with variant heads or features. The arms and legs are the same as the Chestburster version, but this one isn't "dead" when you remove the alien mask accessory. He's just preggers.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko Gremlins Mogwai Billy Peltzer ReAction Figure

Even though it's only September, I feel it's always time for my favorite Christmas movie Gremlins, because it's a good time. Funko and Super 7 teamed up with the forces of justice to bring me Billy Peltzer, a Kenner-style 1980s figure which, admittedly, would have been pretty retro were it released in 1984 along with the movie - the final days of Star Wars were in 1985, and the influence of a 3 3/4-inch 5-jointed simple figure would be gone shortly thereafter. As the only human in the entire wave, Billy doesn't have to bring much to the table - and thanks to his size, he's the only one that feels worth the ten bucks. A Mogwai is a bit pricey at that price.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

NYCC Exclusive Alien ReAction Figures

Super7 confirmed an Alien Special Action Figure set is coming!   Fans may have guessed this when the Alien ReAction Playset which shipped a few months ago showed the trio of figures on the box.

$45, no word on online sales (or individually packaged figures) just yet.

Review: Super7 x Funko Alien ReAction Kane (with Chestburster) ReAction Figure

After two pretty cool waves, it seems that the ReAction Alien line is in a holding pattern. At least, we haven't seen the other space suit figures and have yet to get a Harry Dean Stanton. Now we've got three versions of this character, as Kane (with Chestburster) is arguably the entire reason this movie happens. As is typical for modern horror movies, he's not careful and gets pregnant. No wait, that's not it. Well, yes it is - and this figure is sort of a beautiful spoiler become flesh.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Fifth Element Leeloo (Straps Costume) ReAction Figure

While characters in this movie have some lavish costumes, fancy jackets, and unique battle-damage, only Leeloo (Straps Costume) gets plastic twice. A regular version came out at the same time, but when your lead actress shows up, is killed, is rebuilt naked, and goes on a crazy chase in the sky it generally warrants another toy. She's pretty good.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Fifth Element Zorg ReAction Figure

As one of the more memorable and fun film villains of the late 1990s, Zorg is a must-have figure mostly for the novelty of having him. Sure, a Pop! Vinyl figure is coming and the ReAction isn't perfect - but it's good for ReAction standards. The basic format of the other lines is followed closely with 5 joints and a nice accessory, one of the largest for ReAction.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Fifth Element Ruby Rhod ReAction Figure

Increasing most action figure collections' Chris Tucker quotient by one, Ruby Rhod is something of an oddball on numerous levels. He's got Q*Bert's snout on his head, he talked amazingly fast, and was basically what an E! host would be like in the distant future. Post-post-glam in appearance and mannerisms, the character stopped the movie cold and earned a Razzie for worst new performer. As he was neither worst nor new, it was an odd choice - there haven't been a lot of characters like him in sci-fi movies and as an action figure he turned out quite nicely. 
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Fifth Element Mangalore ReAction Figure

As one of the most identifiable races in The Fifth Element, a non-specific Mangalore ReAction figure just makes sense. It's not explicitly Aknot, but it's cool and it looks like it fell out of the 1980s. The paint is a little weak, as it should be - they nailed it here.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Fifth Element Korben Dallas ReAction Figure

I saw custom figures of this one back in the 1990s, and they look a lot like this final Korben Dallas ReAction figure in the sense that it's sort of a Dagobah Training Luke Skywalker meets Aquaman kind of thing. Korben comes from a sci-fi future in which the hairstyles of the band The Police are in vogue along with blisteringly bright orange shirts with military pants and boots. It's a decent replica of his movie costume, plus it has a surprise in the back - there's a gun holster in what is more or less the back of his pants' waistband.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Fifth Element Diva Plavalaguna ReAction Figure

I dug The Fifth Element when I saw it at a crappy theater near my house in 1997. It didn't dawn on me at the time, but it turned out that it was packed with a bunch of great action figure designs which had a lot of false starts before the likes of Diva Plavalaguna came out as a ReAction Figure in 1997. I saw custom figures at the former Empire of Toys, I saw prototypes in ToyFare, but no actual product hit until now! We got 7 figures, which is pretty amazing - and it also highlighted how many other figures like Cornelius, or any of dozens of awesome, gorgeous, or arguably sexist extras and background characters. (See: McDonald's, Fhloston Paradise plane.)
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Fifth Element Leeloo ReAction Figure

There aren't many catchphrases to survive The Fifth Element , but Leeloo did have one word that really struck a chord and is also no doubt a question you have right now. "Multipass?" Yes. Leeloo has a Multipass! It's unpainted and tiny, so you're probably going to lose it because if it gets in your carpet you will never see it again. It's not the smallest 3 3/4-inch accessory ever, but it's definitely close. Molded in her skin color plastic, Leeloo has a lot of paint to get her up to spec while also being somewhat convincing as a retro figure. The only problem is that the paint isn't glossy, and old Kenner toys were shiny little dears.

Review: Funko Predator (Thermal Vision) ReAction Figure

I didn't even think to ask for a Predator (Thermal Vision) ReAction Figure. I was just in Toys R Us one day, and blammo, there it was for ten bucks. I took a few days to mull it over. "Do I need another Predator figure?" The answer was yes, and I scooped it up even though it's the same masked mold I've bought at least four times by now. Paint makes up for a lot in these toys, and something this weird - and technically something we never really saw in the movie - is a must-buy for fans of this junk.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Super7 x Funko Alien ReAction Ripley (Spacesuit) ReAction Figure

The ReAction Alien line is a little weird. We've got three Kanes, two monsters, and our heroine has only two releases. The second is this Ripley (Spacesuit) figure, which is basically the first Kane in new colors and Ripley's head - now molded in flesh color. Her helmet is new, missing the flashlight on top.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Funko Predator (Invisible) ReAction Figure

I arguably didn't need the Predator (Invisible) ReAction Figure. There are numerous versions of the mold - at this point, at least seven - one of which is a clear figure with some green splatter on it. They're all neat for different reasons, and of them all this one is probably the least fancy. Being molded in one color tends to suck out some of the detail, but it does play up the whole "stealth" angle and calls back to the Ambush Predator mail-away figure in the 1990s.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Super7 x Funko Alien ReAction Alien (with Metallic Flesh)

If you bought the original version then you know what to expect out of the Alien (with Metallic Flesh) creature. The mold is more or less the same, except now it has a completely clear colorless dome, a very nice metallic black skin, and a wonderful white skull paint job that looks a lot like the original 1979 Kenner giant figure. It has the same sliding tongue, and much like the previous release it doesn't glow in the dark.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Super7 x Funko Alien Egg Chamber Action Playset

We've been doing some talking about "gag figures" lately, and this is sort of a "gag playset." The joke of the Alien Egg Chamber is that a little girl and a little boy are playing with a breeding ground for murderous parasites and seem to be having a great time - and that it looks like something that was a cheap toy in 1979 which is in fact a very expensive toy in 2014/2015. The first release was a heavy resin and sold on-site at Comic-Con last year, the market for which softened quickly and the $100 super-limited item is (at press time) about $120-$130 on eBay. Not being able to get in line at the show, I pre-ordered online (there were credit card problems) during the show, which got me a black box and a plastic base. I would say this is a piece for vintage toy fetishists only, and it's a real curiosity.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Super7 Alien Egg Chamber Action Playset Arriving Now

If you ordered the Super7 Alien Egg Chamber Action Playset, it might be at your house right now.  The black box version was available for pre-order last July and this one is plastic with a cardboard backdrop.  A full review is coming next week, but for now enjoy this notification that I have it and you don't.

Review: Funko Pulp Fiction Mia Wallace ReAction Figure

The idea of doing Pulp Fiction action figures is both outlandish and makes perfect sense. Director Quentin Tarintino's oeuvre tends to appeal to a group that also collects action figures. Also, the 1990s were packed with kid toy lines based on R-Rated movies. Mia Wallace makes all kinds of sense as an action figure thanks to her distinctive look and the general appeal of the movie to aging toy collectors. The Kenner 1970s look works well with the look of the movie, so if you're into this stuff it's a good fit for your toy box.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Ad: Terminator 2 T-1000 Final Battle ReAction 3 3/4-Inch Retro Action Figure - Entertainment Earth Exclusive

The title says it all! Entertainment Earth has a new exclusive T1000 and you need to buy one.

Review: Funko The Terminator (Tech Noir Jacket) ReAction Figure

I guess one advantage of time-traveling naked guys in the Terminator franchise is it really opens the door to costume changes. The Terminator (Tech Noir Jacket) had 4 different figures in the first wave if you include the skeletons, which shows just how popular the character is and how nifty those costumes were.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko The Terminator Sarah Connor ReAction Figure

About a year ago we all got our first look at ReAction Figures from Funko, born out of a Super7 idea to recreate (and create) new Kenner-style action figures for a modern collector audience. The resulting products are all over the place - while the quantity is nothing short of impressive, quality is all over the place. A lot of these figures are going to get a bit of a pass, because the likes of Marty McFly and Sarah Connor are pretty scarce as toys and collectibles go. No kid-driven Sarah Connor action figure was ever made, and she was completely left out of the original Kenner toys for Terminator 2: Judgment Day despite being one of the biggest badasses in the movies. This version goes back to the 1984 original film, complete with the appropriate hair and costuming.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Ad: New Star Trek ReAction Figures from Funko

They're coming soon!  Due in March for $9.99 each are these 4 figures which are not Kirk.  Spock, McCoy, Uhura, and Sulu are up for pre-order right now at Entertainment Earth! Click through an pre-order yours.

Review: Funko Predator (Glow Version) ReAction Figure

I like the Predator (Glow Version) ReAction Figure. I should - I asked for it to be made! The idea was originally "Hey, remember the Stalker Predator? Let's do a new one." I was expecting an unpainted figure cast in glow-in-the-dark plastic, and what we got was something a little better - the final figure is different than the prototype images, too! A bit of silver defines the figure's face, and a few gaps in the silver let the glow shine through in a dark room. If you hit the figure with a black light, you will undoubtedly notice a very significant difference.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Ad: New Twilight Zone at Entertainment Earth

Ad: Entertainment Earth added a ton of new retro Bif Bang Pow! Twilight Zone pre-orders! Lots of six new figures are up for grabs today. Why wait? Pre-order yours today!

Get yours while you can!

Review: Entertainment Earth Exclusive Clear Funko Universal Monsters The Invisible Man ReAction Figure

This was one of mine - also low-hanging fruit. I loved the ReAction concept on sight, so naturally while working I had to do some exclusives. A variant of The Invisible Man just made sense, and a low run (which I do not believe I am allowed to divulge) was run and released late last year. The question of how to do it was kicked around, but to do the whole figure in clear with no paint was my idea from the get-go. In the movie, the character covered himself because his skin, if exposed, was invisible - and he didn't want to freak everybody out at certain points.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

AD: In Stock - Glow in the Dark ReAction Predator

Order Glow-in-the-Dark Predator ReAction Figure - EE Exclusive from Entertainment Earth!

Review: Funko Predator (Unmasked) ReAction Figure

I like the Predator (Unmasked) ReAction figure a bunch, but I'm starting to think the format may be on the downturn . Prices started dropping pretty harshly in December and it seems the buzz is mixed - and let me tell you, deservedly so in some cases. The Predator figures are pretty nice with lots of shiny exposed plastic and decent sculpting, plus you can pry off the backpack if you really want to. I don't want to. I want to leave it as it is.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Funko Universal Monsters Dracula ReAction Figure

Arguably the most famous of the classic Universal Monsters, Lugosi's Dracula only appeared in two movies (and other places) and helped instill the seemingly endless fascination with vampires in popular culture. Along with zombies, it's a safe bet that in almost any genre show they're going to come across some sort of vampire thing. Maybe Greek Vampires. Maybe Space Vampires. Perhaps Salt Vampires. It's going to happen largely thanks to the surprisingly unnerving performance in the 1931 film. The figure does a good job of picking up many of the significant aspects of his costume, but does a rotten job on getting the head right. The back of the packaging is stamped with the Lugosi licensing logo, but (and this is important for those of you who bought figures in the 1990s and earlier) the Lugosi stamp of approval wasn't always there. Sometimes you have the character's license, but not the actor, and in this case the packaging says they have both. But that ain't Bela. Back in the 1980s, it could go either way, so let's say this was a conscious choice.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]