"Captain America: The First Avenger" is a 2011 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Captain America. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Set during World War II, the film tells the story of Steve Rogers, a sickly man from Brooklyn who is transformed into super soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Captain America must stop the Red Skull -- Adolf Hitler's ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a device called a tesseract as an energy-source for world domination.
The figure comes in a rather nice packaging which has Captain America's shield on the cover and it seems to have a shine to it, like light is reflecting off the shield's shiny surface. This is possible due to the skills of the photographer who took the picture which has been used for the box cover with great effect.
Like all the box packaging for Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series figures based on Marvel Studios comic superhero characters, this is also based on the shoe-box design with the cover on top / in front and the base is also the back.
Remove the cover and there is a short write-up about Captain America: The First Avenger - Ineligible for the armed service due to his small stature and sickly disposition, the patriotic Steve Rogers instead volunteered for a top secret military experiment called "Project Rebirth". Recognized for his valor and strategic aptitude, Rogers was injected with the Super-soldier Serum, which transfigured his cellular structure and transformed him into the perfect physical specimen. Heightened endurance, increased strength, and an indestructible Vibranium shield give Rogers an edge in combat, but it is his courage and unwavering dedication to the greater good that will shape him into an enduring symbol of freedom – Captain America!
Just below the write-up is the Hot Toys Captain America figure in the main tray, with the extra gloved hands for putting him in many striking poses
Placed on the underside of the box cover / lid is another tray containing Captain America's Vibranium shield and other weapons he may need for his fight for truth, justice and liberty!
The 1/6 scale Vibranium shield that belongs to Hot Toys Captain America 12-in collectible figure is beautiful, to say the least! It has a very shiny and reflective surface which makes it look like it is made from Vibranium metal but in reality, it is actually a plastic shield electroplated to look like shiny metal. That's quite clever of Hot Toys considering that a fully metal 1/6 scale shield would be too heavy for the 12-inch Captain America to hold and pose properly because the arm joints aren't really that strong. Cap might have increased strength in the film but this is still a plastic figure!
Captain America: The First Avenger 12-inch figure also has a bandolier with two leather-like pouches which he wears slung across his shoulders
The Colt M1911A1 single-action, semi-automatic pistol appears as the sidearm of the US forces in the film. Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans) uses one as his chief firearm during the film. Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) also uses one during a scene in which she tests Captain America's shield. Sgt. James "Bucky" Barnes (Sebastian Stan) also wields his sidearm during the attack on the HYDRA train.
Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Sgt. James "Bucky" Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Gabe Jones (Derek Luke) as well as other American soldiers use the M1928A1 Thompson throughout the film. Captain America (Chris Evans) also has one slung over his shoulder in some scenes.
Hot Toys 1/6 scale M1911A1 pistol is one molded piece with non-removable magazine and non-sliding charger whereas the 1/6 scale M1928A1 Thompson submachine gun comes with removable 30-round box magazine, flip-up long range rear sight and sliding bolt which can be held rearward by the sear when cocked. Click on the picture below for a bigger and better view.
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| Click to see an ENLARGE view of Cap's weapons |
The back of the shield has the necessary straps for Cap to hold and grasp.
And then there is the all important Instruction Sheet that tells you what you ought to do and what you should not do if you do not wish to damage your Hot Toys Captain America 12-inch highly detailed collectible figure. Read before doing anything else. Damage done cannot be undone and no refunds will be entertained.
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| Click to read the instructions! |
Here's a look at the Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS156 1/6th scale Captain America Limited Edition 12-inch Collectible Figure just out of the tray (no twisty ties so it's just a hassle-free easy as pie removal from the box).
Captain America's costume: One (1) blue and grayish-white jacket with embossed pattern as well as stars in chest and arms, One (1) pair of gray and red suspenders, One (1) pair of blue pants, One (1) brown leather-like belt with pouches and pistol holster and One (1) pair of brown boots.
Concept Artist Ryan Meinerding mentions in the book "The Art of Captain America: The First Avenger' that he wanted to bring a sense of realism to the Captain America superhero costume. He changed the stripes on his torso into straps that would hold down his shoulder armor and hold the weight of his shield when he wore it on his back. They didn't want the outfit / suit to look costume-y.
Scroll down for more turnaround views of this Hot Toys Captain America First Avenger figure
Said Meinerding, "Captain America's costume has an abashedly extreme quality to it. It's red, white and blue, and proudly boasts stars and stripes." This iconic strong visual is what makes Cap so identifiable so there had to be a balance to keep the character cool without looking like he jumped right out of the comic books.
Relating Captain America's costume to a soldier's gear was a big step in making Cap look like he was there with the troops as well, fighting alongside them as a symbol for all things American in the 1940s.
Does Hot Toys 1/6 scale Captain America: The First Avenger 12-inch Figure have the detailed fully realized likeness of Chris Evans as Captain America in his hero costume as seen in the "Captain America: The First Avenger" movie? I don't see it but I'm not a complainer - Captain America IS Captain America and as far as I'm concerned, Steve Rogers is behind the mask, NOT Chris Evans the actor who plays Steve Rogers / Captain America in the film.
I think this sculpted head has too much chin. If you were to look at some screen grabs of Chris Evans in Captain America costume, the chin strap is much closer to his mouth / lips. It has been rumored that Hot Toys sculptors based their model / figure on the stunt double's pictures instead but that's hearsay and cannot be confirmed.
Scroll down for more close-up views of Hot Toys 1/6 Captain America head sculpt. I can't bring myself to say that this is a Chris Evans head sculpt because I don't see the resemblance here. Steve Rogers Captain America this can be but NOT Chris Evans Captain America IMHO
In WWII, soldiers often had identifiable symbols painted on their helmets and that was how Cap's signature wings ended up on the sides of his helmet / mask
Overall I'm quite pleased with the look and feel of this Hot Toys Captain America 12-inch collectible figure, especially with the 1/6 interpretation and realization. This is truly the first 1/6 Captain America figure I can accept and approve of. I am totally against the wholly plastic 12-inch Marvel Legends Captain America with molded costume and cut joints. Where's the fabric costume / outfit and 1/6 scale accessories on the Marvel Legends 12-inch Cap figure? Nada because it is just a chunk of plastic! This is the real deal. This is what 12-inch figures are about.
Here's a shot of Captain America head on! And that says it all :)
Some close-up pictures of the Hot Toys 1/6 scale Captain America: The First Avenger 12-inch Figure. Check out the detailing and authenticity. It's almost like looking at a screen shot or picture from the movie. You can't see any of the joints and the paint application of the skin tones and colors plus materials used come together really well to make this quite an outstanding figure :)
The beauty is in the details and you have to check out all the fine details Hot Toys put into this 1/6 scale Captain America 12-inch figure to make it look and feel as close to the movie version as possible
Other than the pair of fists that comes with the Hot Toys 1/6 scale Captain America 12-inch superhero figure, seven (7) more interchangeable gloved palms are included: One (1) pair of palms for holding shield, One (1) pair of palms for wielding shield, One (1) right palm for holding gun, One (1) pair of relaxed palms.
NEXT: What's Captain America without his shield? See Hot Toys Captain America in full gear, complete with his shield and accessories.
Just received mine these days. Fantastic figure1
ReplyDeleteSure is :)
ReplyDeleteI love this figure! I was just looking at your review for it and you mention that the M1911A1 is one molded piece with non-removable magazine. But that doesn't seem to be the case because I can remove the magazine on mine. Funny thing is that I thought the M1928A1 had non removable magazine but I realized how silly I was when I saw your review. :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out about the removable pistol magazine on the M1911A1 :) I guess mine is pushed in pretty tight because I couldn't get it out. Glad you love the figure ENJOY!
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