Hot Toys "Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope" 1:6 scale Han Solo and Chewbacca figures

continued from previous toy blog post...

This is what it's all about :) putting both Hot Toys "Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope" 1:6 scale Han Solo (action figure review posted earlier HERE and HERE) and Chewbacca collectible figures together (see previous posts HERE and HERE). This duo belong together from day one like bread and butter, and their pairing is like Batman and Robin, Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Tom and Jerry, Bert and Ernie, Mulder and Scully; inseparable as Captain / Pilot and co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon. I'm even surprised that Hot Toys would sell them as separate figures but I guess some people might only want to get one and not the other although I myself cannot imagine one without the other. Even though Han's last name is Solo, he has shown that he is anything but a loner as he always has Chewie by his side in all his adventures. Going solo is definitely not his style, unlike Indiana Jones and Rick Deckard (all characters played by Harrison Ford).

In the past, the problem has been too many 1:6 scale Han Solo figures but no Chewbacca to accompany him because no company / manufacturer could produce a decent or realistic furry 1:6 scale Wookiee until now. Come to think of it, Hot Toys has actually fulfilled quite a number of my 1:6 scale "WANTs" and I'm very thankful for that. A 1:6 scale pair of Han and Chewie are one of those. Others include: 1966 Batman and Robin, the Aliens: Colonial Marines, Ellen Ripley and the Power Loader, Alex Murphy and RoboCop, and many more. It only goes to show that if you are patient enough (I've been collecting since 1994), you will see your dreams come true :)

These two certainly look good together. I can't wait to assemble the whole team, now that Luke Skywalker is also in the house (action figure review posted earlier HERE, HERE and HERE). With 1:6 scale C-3PO on the way, alongside R2-D2 (by Sideshow Collectibles, reviewed HERE and HERE), it looks like the collection will be quite complete. Exciting times indeed!

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Action Figure Review II: Hot Toys "Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope" 1/6th scale Han Solo

continued from previous toy blog post...

Here's Hot Toys MMS261 "Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope" 1/6th scale Han Solo 12-inch Collectible Figure (from my October 2015 haul, posted on my toy blog HERE) in one of his signature pose with pistol drawn and shooting at the bad guys. Funny thing is, he was a bad guy himself (smuggler, scoundrel and all) until he decided to join the Rebellion in their fight against the Galactic Empire. The fact that Han shot first (clearly it was a case of self-defence because Greedo would have shot him if not for his quick reaction) and killed Greedo the bounty hunter at the Mos Eisley cantina on Tattooine only goes to cement his character.

So many 1:6 scale Han Solo figures have been released so far but this Hot Toys Han Solo has to be the best one by far. Everything looks good on the figure, from his outfit consisting of off-white V-neck top, black vest, brown belt, brown leather blaster holster belt (quick-draw holster), navy pants with red pattern (Corellian blood stripe), and black leather boots to his weapon of choice, the DL-44 heavy blaster pistol and the detachable droid caller located on his belt. A droid caller was a small handheld device that worked in conjunction with a droid's restraining bolt. Its signal compelled a droid to stop whatever it was doing and report to its master. I have a question: why does Han need a droid caller? He doesn't own any droids and we never see him calling any droid in all the films. Luke Skywalker has one and that's because he has two droids (R2-D2 and C-3P0) his uncle Owen bought from scavengers before he got killed for it.

Harrison Ford's previous work in American Graffiti eventually landed him his first starring film role, when he was hired by Lucas to read lines for actors auditioning for parts in his then-upcoming film Star Wars (1977). Lucas was eventually won over by Ford's performance during these line reads and cast him as Han Solo. Star Wars became one of the most successful movies of all time worldwide and established Ford as a superstar. He went on to star in the similarly successful Star Wars sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), as well as the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978).

Han Solo was deemed the 4th greatest movie character of all-time by Empire magazine. Entertainment Weekly ranked the character 7th on their list of The All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture. On their list of the 100 Greatest Fictional Characters, Fandomania.com ranked Solo at number 15. IGN listed Han Solo as the second greatest Star Wars character of all time (behind Darth Vader), as well as listing him as one of the top 10 characters who most needed a spin-off, saying he was "Arguably the coolest character in the Star Wars universe".

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Hot Toys Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope 1/6 Han Solo 12-inch Collectible Figure Review 1

Smuggler. Scoundrel. Hero.

Han Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise, portrayed in films by Harrison Ford. In the original film trilogy, Han Solo, captain of the Millennium Falcon, was one of the great leaders of the Rebel Alliance. He and his co-pilot Chewbacca came to believe in the cause of galactic freedom, joining Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa in the fight against the Galactic Empire. Star Wars creator George Lucas described the character as "a loner (hence the name "Solo") who realizes the importance of being part of a group and helping for the common good".

Han Solo is introduced in Star Wars (1977), when he and his copilot Chewbacca accept a charter request to transport Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO and R2-D2 to Alderaan on their ship, the Millennium Falcon. When the bounty hunter Greedo tries to deliver him to Jabba, Han shoots him (Yes! I believe Han shot first) and leaves Tattooine for Alderaan.

I believe Han Solo is one of those characters almost everybody knows. At least the people I know all know who Han Solo is. Otherwise they wouldn't be 'my people' LOL but seriously, anyone who knows Star Wars has to know who Han Solo is and it's been a long time since we had a decent 1:6 scale Han Solo figure. Sideshow tried (check out my toy blog post HERE), Medicom Toy tried ((see my action figure review HERE and HERE) but I think we finally have a definitive Han Solo 12-inch figure. Who better to produce an excellent Han Solo than Hot Toys, right? I think this is the best it's going to get.

This is the recently released Hot Toys MMS261 "Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope" 1/6th scale Han Solo 12-inch Collectible Figure (from my October 2015 haul, posted on my toy blog HERE) which specially features: authentic and detailed likeness of Harrison Ford as Han Solo as seen in the original 1977 Star Wars film with movie-accurate facial expression including detailed wrinkles and skin texture. Let's get on with the action figure review :)

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Oct 2015 Haul: Hot Toys Star Wars 1:6 scale Han Solo, Chewbacca; Jango Fett, Black Storm Guard, Samurai Darth Vader & Rogers' uniform

Looks like October 2015 is Star Wars month for me LOL

Among the items I got as part of my October 2015 haul are the recently released Hot Toys Star Wars 1:6 scale Han Solo and Chewbacca collectible figures, Sideshow Collectibles Exclusive Star Wars 1/6th scale Jango Fett Bounty Hunter 12-inch Figure, VTS Toys (VM-011) 1/6th scale Catton Lewis Black Storm Guard Team Leader 12-inch figure, Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization Samurai Taisho Darth Vader 18 cm action figure and POP TOYS 1/6th Style Series X19 WWII Captain military uniform (Model A) for 12-inch figures.

The POPTOYS 1/6th Style Series X19 WWII Captain military uniform (Model A) was designed to be worn by a 12-inch Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) action figure as seen in the Captain America films released by Marvel Studios, most notable during his World War II days before he was frozen and revived later to join the Avengers. The military uniform Steve Rogers wore had fictional insignias not based on actual WWII military uniforms, since the story is also fiction and not real. The preview pictures released by Pop Toys (posted HERE) showed off the fine stitching and quality materials used by Pop Toys for their product and I really wanted a smartly dressed WWII Steve Rogers in military uniform standing next to the Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS156 1/6th scale Captain America Limited Edition 12-inch Collectible Figurine from the blockbuster movie "Captain America: The First Avenger" which I had reviewed earlier HERE, HERE and HERE.

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Seen@STGCC2015 Part 1: Hot Toys Booth – Star Wars action figures and diorama display

It's that time of the year again! Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) 2015 is upon us and it is being held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Marina Bay Sands Halls B & C on level 1 on 12 & 13 September from 10am to 9pm (closes at 8pm on 13 Sep). There are lots of things to see and many exclusives to buy so if you are a true blue toy collector or am just into collectibles (statues included), then you have to head down and enjoy the sights. It's really quite Marvel-ous to behold with many wonderful things on display.

In my first post of my coverage of the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) 2015, I'm covering the Hot Toys booth which is the first thing you see when you enter the exhibition hall.

Hot Toys' focus this year is on Star Wars (who isn't?) and so you get to see what Hot Toys is doing with the Star Wars movie license. Up front and centre is the 1:6 scale Imperial TIE fighter which is quite impressive. Too bad the 1:6 scale Millennium Falcon couldn't make Singapore a docking station but you do get to see a 1:6 scale Millennium Falcon cockpit with Han Solo and Chewie in it. There's also a diorama of the interior of the Millennium Falcon where old Ben is teaching Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force as seen in the movie.

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Pre-order Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Temple of Doom Indiana Jones 12-inch Figure

You can pre-order this from Sideshow Collectibles

"If adventure has a name - it must be Indiana Jones!"

Capturing Harrison Ford as the world-famous archaeologist, relive your favorite moments from one of Indy’s most memorable expeditions with the Sideshow Collectibles Indiana Jones Temple of Doom Sixth Scale Figure.

Crafted on a brand new, fully-articulated body, the intrepid professor is prepared to chase fortune and glory in his iconic globetrotter gear, including a screen-accurate khaki shirt, trousers, and famous fedora. Ready to tackle the terrors surrounding the mysterious Temple of Doom, Dr. Jones comes armed with his trademark bullwhip, pistol, machete, and an undying thirst for adventure, as the fate of an entire village – and its children – rests in his hands. Bruised but not beaten, the rugged hero has everything he needs to recover the stolen Sankara Stones, put a stop to the sinister Mola Ram, win the girl, and save the day.

The Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Indiana Jones Temple of Doom 12-inch Figure features: A Newly Designed Fully-Articulated Body, Highly Detailed Portrait with Fedora and Hair Option Attachments, Weathered Shirt and Trousers, Detailed Sculpted Boots, Belt, Holster, Pistol, Coiled Whip for Belt, Uncoiled Flexible Whip, Satchel, Machete. One (1) Pair of Fists, One (1) Pair of Machete Hands, One (1) Pair of Whip Hands, One (1) Pair of Open Hands, One (1) Pair of Neutral Hands, One (1) Left Trigger Hand. Three (3) Sankara Stones, Figure Support Base

You can pre-order this from Sideshow Collectibles

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Check out these Kotobukiya Star Wars Luke Skywalker & Princess Leia ARTFX+ Statues

Mark Richard Hamill (born September 25, 1951) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for portraying Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, voicing the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series (along with its spin-offs and the acclaimed video games Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City).

In celebration of Mark Hamill's birthday this year, Kotobukiya posted this picture of their Star Wars Luke Skywalker & Princess Leia ARTFX+ Statues alongside Han Solo and Chewbacca. Lots of Star Wars announcements recently, with Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi 1/6th Scout Trooper Figure (previewed HERE) and the Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Speeder Bike (pictures HERE) as well as the Hot Toys MMS261 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope 1/6th Han Solo 12-inch Collectible Figure (posted HERE) and Hot Toys MMS262 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope: 1/6th Chewbacca 14-inch Collectible Figure (pictures HERE)

George Lucas' multi-film Star Wars saga has had a significant impact on modern American popular culture. Star Wars references are deeply embedded in popular culture; references to the main characters and themes of Star Wars are casually made in many English-speaking countries with the assumption that others will understand the reference. Darth Vader has become an iconic villain. Phrases like "evil empire" and "May the Force be with you" have become part of the popular lexicon. The first Star Wars film in 1977 was a cultural unifier, enjoyed by a wide spectrum of people.

And these four (Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia) have played a very big role in making Star Wars such a success. Scroll down to see more pictures of Kotobukiya Star Wars Luke Skywalker & Princess Leia ARTFX+ Statues. Click on them for bigger and better views.

Hot Toys MMS261 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope 1/6th Han Solo 12-inch Collectible Figure

"Here's where the fun begins." – Han Solo

Hot Toys has always been a big fan of the iconic Star Wars saga and we are thrilled to have acquired the official right to manufacture collectibles from the Star Wars universe this year!

We will bring fans a large range of high-end collectibles with movie-accurate details and stunning likeness! To kick off this incredible series, Hot Toys is very excited to introduce the 1/6th scale collectible figure of the infamous smuggler, Han Solo, from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope!

The movie-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Harrison Ford as Han Solo in the film and features a newly developed body, highly detailed costume, weapons, accessories, and a specially designed figure stand.

A special edition that is available for selected markets will include an additional Stormtrooper belt and blaster rifle which Han Solo has used on Death Star.

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Check out Kotobukiya Star Wars 1/10 scale 7" Han Solo & 8-inch Chewbacca ARTFX+ Statue

A Kotobukiya Japanese import! The incredible Star Wars ARTFX+ lineup has already featured some of the most iconic heroes and villains from the Star Wars films, and now it expands to an epic team up of two of the most popular characters of all time, Han Solo & Chewbacca! Jumping straight out of Episode IV: A New Hope, the inseparable smuggling duo stands side by side ready to take on the forces of the evil galactic Empire. Literally from different worlds (Corellia and Kashyyyk), Han Solo and Chewbacca formed an unlikely yet lasting friendship that would resonate with fans from their first appearance.

Ready to take on anything the Empire might throw at them, the pair of space scoundrels advance in turn as they point their weapons at hordes of ineffective Stormtroopers. Han wears his iconic outfit consisting of a white shirt, navy vest, orange-striped blue pants, belt with holster, and tall black boots. Meanwhile, his Wookie partner is au naturale as usual, covered in thick brown fur broken up only by his bandolier. Both level their respective trademark weapons, a BlasTech Industries DL-44 heavy blaster pistol for the former and a crossbow-like bowcaster for the latter. Kotobukiya’s renowned craftsmanship is evident in all of the fine details from Chewie’s intricately sculpted fur to the folds and creases in Han’s clothing!

ARTFX+ Statues are fun-to-assemble pre-painted snap-fit kits that can be easily put together in seconds without glue or modeling skill. Han Solo stands just over 7 inches tall and Chewbacca over 8 inches (1/10th scale) atop their included display bases; magnets in their feet provide extra stability. Whether they’re guarding your shelves alone or displayed alongside the R2-D2 & C-3PO or Stormtrooper army builder two-packs they’re guaranteed to be the highlight of your Star Wars collection!

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Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Han Solo 12-inch Figure

"I'll take a good fight any day over all this hidin' and freezin'!"

From Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, relive your favorite moments leading up to the Battle of Hoth with the Sideshow Collectibles Captain Han Solo - Hoth Sixth Scale Figure.

On the run and with a price on his head, the intergalactic smuggler Han Solo joins the Rebel Alliance at their remote secret location on Hoth, Echo Base. Dressed for the planet's notorious sub-zero climate, Solo is fitted in an authentically replicated blue quilted parka, complete with rank insignia and fur-trimmed hood. Two scarves, a cap and goggles frame the lifelike portrait which perfectly captures actor Harrison Ford in the role that made him a star - and for additional display options, swap in the portrait without headgear, depicting Han as he appears inside the base.

Though hiding and freezing on the wretched ice cube doesn't sit well with the smuggler's disposition, when Rebel Commander Luke Skywalker goes missing during a routine patrol, Solo has no choice but to leap onto the back of an ill-fated tauntaun and go out after him. Fully equipped with a blaster pistol, macrobinoculars, droid caller, and portable life scanner, he's willing to risk everything on a rescue mission to find his friend and save the day.

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6th scale Boba Fett, Han in Carbonite and 12-inch Stormtrooper escorts

Earlier conversation...
Darth Vader: There will be a substantial reward for the one who finds the Millennium Falcon. You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want them alive. No disintegrations.
Boba Fett: As you wish.

The scene: Han Solo is captured along with Leia and Chewbacca by Darth Vader after Boba Fett manages to trail them to Cloud City where he informs Darth Vader of their whereabouts. Han is tortured to lure Luke Skywalker to Cloud City where Darth Vader awaits. Vader orders a carbon-freezing chamber prepared to freeze Luke, which will hold him in suspended animation for transport to the Emperor. The process is tested on Han Solo.

Darth Vader: You may take Captain Solo to Jabba the Hutt after I have Skywalker.
Boba Fett: He's no good to me dead.
Darth Vader: He will not be permanently damaged.

Lim lau peh or "Who's your daddy?" i.e. Happy Father's Day to all toy collectors who are dads

This toy blog post / entry was published earlier on June 21, 2009 but is just as appropriate today as it was three years ago :) Wishing Happy Father's Day to all fathers and fellow collectors. As long as fathers are not shy to play with toys, we'll always stay young at heart and connected to our children. It doesn't mean that when you become a dad, you have to stop playing with toys. In fact, it was when I became a father that my passion for toys was rekindled and that happened in 1994 ;p

First posted on June 21, 2009:
Today being Father's Day, I thought this post would be most appropriate. It is dedicated to fathers everywhere, me being a dad to two rascals, Jared who is 15 and Javon who will be 12 in December. The joy of fatherhood cannot be explained or understood unless you become a father yourself and experience the joys of bringing up your very own.

"Lim lau peh" is hokkien for "your old man/father" just as the popular phrase "lim peh ka li kong" means "let your father tell you" or "listen to your father" - a phrase meant to put you in your place, used even when the speaker is not actually the addressee's father. (source: the Coxford Singlish Dictionary - a good read, "sure damn funny one!")

We all remember the following scene from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" where Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) is captured together with his father Professor Henry Jones Sr (played by Sean Connery) after being betrayed by Elsa when Indy goes to rescue Jones Sr at a castle on the Austrian-German border.

[Indiana and Henry are tied up]
Indiana Jones: Come on, dad. Help me get us out of here. We have to get to Marcus before the Nazis do.
Professor Henry Jones: But you said he had a two day head start. That he would blend in, disappear.
Indiana Jones: Are you kidding? I made all that up. You know Marcus. He once got lost in his own museum.

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Indiana Jones and Professor Henry Jones Sr 12-inch figures

Today is Chinese New Year's Eve. Chinese New Year's Eve is a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, known as Chú Xī (除夕) or "Eve of the Passing Year." So I guess it's appropriate to have a family reunion of the 1/6 scale kind ;p

One of the best father and son team from the movies was Indiana Jones and Professor Henry Jones Sr from the 1989 movie "Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade". It was certainly a family reunion when Indy (Harrison Ford) goes looking for his missing father (Sean Connery) and ends up being tied up together instead (ties that bind and what not). This is the Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Indiana Jones and Professor Henry Jones Sr 12-inch figures released some time ago.

I'm always taking the 12-inch action figures out from the display cabinets and marveling at the craftsmanship and attention to details these 1/6 scale manufacturers and sculptors put into their craft. Most of these 1/6 scale figures are art in 3-D and these two are just a sampling of what I like about 1/6 scale 12-inch figures and why I collect them :)

Medicom Toy and Enterbay Ultimate Unison Star Wars 1/6 Han Solo 12-inch Figure

Sideshow is pleased to announce the latest in Star Wars collectibles from MEDICOM TOY and ENTERBAY, the Ultimate Unison figure series! The 'UU' series combines the very best from Medicom's highly regarded RAH figure body with Enterbay's incredibly detailed sculpture quality. Featuring a detailed fabric costume and a variety of accessories, the Han Solo Ultimate Unison Collectible Figure is presented in approximately 1:6 scale and makes an outstanding addition to any Star Wars Collection!

Medicom and Enterbay have teamed up on this Ultimate Unison figure of Han Solo from Star Wars. The 1/6 scale figure features his overcoat from Endor, Droid Caller and Mynock Hunt mask (Breathing Mask) along with a figure stand. Also included: alternate Wrist Parts for Multiple Poses.

Not Hot Toys Indiana Jones but Toys McCoy Indy!

Pictures of Hot Toys DX05 1/6 scale Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones 12-inch figure have surfaced on the internet and in forums and the verdict is: it's NOT looking good! Hot Toys has done some amazing head sculpts and most of them have been stunning BUT they have failed in trying to capture Harrison Ford's likeness. Aside from the high quality outfit and accessories, they couldn't do the one thing that was most important of all and that is, to capture Harrison Ford's likeness. The figure looks amazing as an adventurer / tomb raider figure but falls short of being Indiana Jones.

IMHO I think the classic Toys McCoy Indiana Jones 12-inch figure from 1999 has come closest to capturing Harrison Ford's likeness as Indiana Jones and that is talking about a figure that was made more than TEN years ago. Scroll down to see the pictures for yourself and you be the judge.

I had posted pictures of this exceptional Toys McCoy 1/6 scale Indiana Jones 12-inch figure in my earlier posts HERE (the box packaging and contents) and HERE but I guess the time is right to revisit this figure again after seeing the awful Indy head sculpt that Hot Toys has released. Everyone's taking pictures left, right and center and posting them to try and justify that the Hot Toys Indy is acceptable when it is obvious that it does not resemble Harrison Ford at all.

Medicom Jake Lonergan and Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde "Cowboys & Aliens" figures

"Cowboys & Aliens" is a 2011 American science fiction Western film directed by Jon Favreau and starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde. The main plot revolves around an amnesiac outlaw (Craig), a wealthy cattleman (Ford), and a mysterious traveler (Wilde) who must ally to save a group of townspeople abducted by aliens.

I had actually talked about 12-inch "Cowboys & Aliens" figures in an earlier post HERE, putting together 1/6 scale figures that had the actors' likenesses i.e. Daniel Craig as Jake Lonergan, Harrison Ford as Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde, and Adam Beach as Nat Colorado, Colonel Dolarhyde's right-hand man. Well, it looks like Medicom has secured the license to produce Jake Lonergan and Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde figures, and has released these prototype / preview pictures.

Here's the Medicom 1/6 scale Daniel Craig as Jake Lonergan, a wanted outlaw with amnesia and a strange metal band shackled to his wrist. Given Medicom's notorious reputation as an under-scaled manufacturer, this 1/6 Jake Lonergan figure won't be able to stand very tall at all which is a shame as the prototype head sculpt really shows a lot of promise.

Cowboys & Aliens

I would have never imagined watching a movie about cowboys and aliens. That would have seemed really far fetched and out of this world; and that is exactly how it was :) Cowboys & Aliens was released in Singapore last week and what a ride it was. Totally entertaining and enjoyable, and I would most definitely catch it a second time.

Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, giving a summary that "It sounds kooky on paper but on the screen cowboys and aliens make beautiful, fun music together." Honeycutt felt that the success of the film's blend of aliens and western themes was due to "the determination by everyone involved to play the damn thing straight. Even the slightest goofiness, the tiniest touch of camp, and the whole thing would blow sky high. But it doesn't." Honeycutt appreciated the casting and performances in the film, giving particular mention to Ford, Wilde, and Craig. I cannot wait for the DVD to be out.

Looking at the cast of characters: Daniel Craig as Jake Lonergan, a wanted outlaw with amnesia; Harrison Ford as Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde, a powerful and rich cattleman who controls the town of Absolution; Olivia Wilde as Ella Swenson, a mysterious traveler; Sam Rockwell as Doc, a saloon owner; and Adam Beach as Nat Colorado, Colonel Dolarhyde's right-hand man; I couldn't help but imagine what a potentially nice collection of 1/6 figures they would make.

Well, while waiting for some 1/6 manufacturer to make 12-inch Cowboys & Aliens figures, I thought it would be interesting to put these three 1/6 scale characters together to get an idea of what they could look like as a trio i.e. Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Adam Beach.

2009 Top Ten Fave Toys Countdown 1

It's that time of the year again where I take stock of all the toys I've bought from January 2009 and do a list of the top ten toys in my book - just my own personal opinion of course. This tradition was started last year (see my 2008 Top Ten list HERE) by a very good pal and so the tradition continues year on year.

Before we go on, I realized that I couldn't really narrow it down to just ten so I'm going by categories. That way, I can group them up nicely.

Number TEN (10) on the list happens to be Medicom Toys action figures. Medicom does produce some pretty nice stuff but their HIGH prices and SMALL sizes are a big letdown :(

Three of the Medicom 1:6 figures I got this year - Medicom RAH (Real Action Heroes) "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" Naked Snake (Cold War version) [ Full Review HERE ], Medicom RAH Captain Harlock (キャプテンハーロック Kyaputen Hārokku) (version 2.0) from Galaxy Express 999 [ reviewed earlier HERE ] and Medicom Star Wars Episode IV Han Solo [ lots more pictures HERE ]. Two space pirates and one not-so-Naked Snake


My resolution - stay away from Medicom Toys!!

Number NINE (9) - Enterbay "24" Jack Bauer. I only have two Enterbay 12-inch figures, the other being Bruce Lee from "Game of Death" (full review HERE). I'm extremely happy with the Enterbay Bruce Lee but their 1:6 scale Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) didn't live up to my expectations :{ While the head sculpt is GREAT, everything else just wasn't up to par.

Most annoying of all is the size - Enterbay "24" Jack Bauer (reviewed HERE) is simply too small and too short to stand with any other 1:6 figure, except maybe Medicom 12-inch figures. Enterbay figures don't come cheap either. I would buy Hot Toys anytime (why? because they offer value-for-money and great attention to detail) but this would probably be my last Enterbay figure.

Accompanying Jack is Bourne wearing some of Very Hot CIA (Afghanistan) uniform set and Jason (both head sculpts are by Loading Toys, one of the new 1:6 manufacturers to jump onto the bandwagon this year and offer us more 12-inch choices)

Number EIGHT (8) - Independent companies have risen to offer us alternative 12-inch figures other than the popular and much pricier ones offered by Hot Toys. Besides Léon (Heroic "Perfection Killer"), there was Triad Toys "Wanted: Dead or Alive" 1/6 scale 12" Josh Randall (Steve McQueen) Action Figure (more pictures HERE) and Brother Production "Blade Hunter" (obviously another 1/6 scale 12-inch Rick Deckard Blade Runner action figure from the science fiction film "Blade Runner (1982)")

These 1:6 guys are much taller too, taller than the average (G.I.) Joe and they definitely tower over Medicom and Enterbay figures, almost like Goliath and David.

The countdown continues in the next post.

Some More 1/6 Movie Memorabilia - Movie Stars

These Bad Boys are Legend - Will Smith as US Army virologist Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neville and his pet dog Sam; Martin Lawrence as Police Detective Marcus Burnett and Will Smith as Police Detective Mike Lowrey of the Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT), Miami Police Department.

The original tomb raider (the real McCoy) dreams of androids and replicants. Is he himself one? A Blade Hunter? Harrison Ford doesn't think so although the director says otherwise.

Bruce Willis is unbreakable, and cannot die. Hence there's Die Hard with a Vengeance and Die Hard 4!

Leon the Professional gets the Shaft and flies to Japan to eat Wasabi. Ends up having a daughter. Jean Reno certainly knows how to live it up!

Robert DeNiro heats up the screen as Neil McCauley! Not so Steven Seagal.

Matt as Jason is supreme, Jason as Frank doesn't get cranked but Jack has got to be nimble and quick because he only has "24".

Another Indy, but this one has got his daddy who was once real fine and dandy, and couldn't say "Dr No"

Seeing double? The first Bond next to the current Bond, dangerous spy and between them, a rock called Mason.

SWAT hits the street, hunting android, and the captain and his sinking sub is a widowmaker

T for 2? Not for the man with the hat and whip. He's back!

More to follow...

Comparing Dicks... oops, I meant "Ricks"

Now let's line them up and do a comparison. Did I mention that Brother Production 1/6 scale Blade Hunter a.k.a. Rick Deckard Blade Runner which was reviewed in the previous post is TALL? How tall? Usually 1/6 scale figures are about 300mm tall (almost 12 inches) but Brother Production Blade Hunter stands at up to 310mm and that's more than 12 inches.

The picture below shows Toy Syndicate's Android Hunter (left) beside Brother Production Blade Hunter (right). It had been suggested that Rick Deckard himself is also a Replicant, a bioengineered or biorobotic being created in the film "Blade Runner (1982)". If that was the case, then there could have been more than one Rick. Unlike clones, the replicant was an adult human but with superior strength, agility and variable intelligence depending on the model. Replicants become illegal on Earth after a bloody mutiny by Nexus-6s off-world.




The height difference is quite telling but you wouldn't know it if you saw the prototype product pictures. Once the box was opened, Brother Production Blade Hunter seemed to have much longer legs than usual.


"Who's the imposter and who's the real deal?" Actually, if they are replicants, neither of them are human although in the film, the longer a Nexus-6 lived the more life-experience it gained and they began to develop their own "emotional responses".

Paul Sammon, author of "Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner", has suggested in interviews that Deckard may be a Nexus-7, a next-generation replicant who possesses no superhuman strength or intelligence, but brain implants that complete the human illusion. Sammon also suggests that Nexus-7 replicants may not have a preset lifespan (i.e. they could be immortal).

And here are the three Amigos, two head sculpts of American actor Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard by Toy Syndicate and the most recent one by Brother Production


Other Harrison Ford 1/6 head sculpts produced were that of him as Indiana Jones, as space pirate Han Solo in Star Wars, US President James Marshall in "Air Force One (1997)" and Captain Alexei Vostrikov in "K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)".