Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Review II: Dragon Models (DML) 1/6th scale Jay Chou as Wan Fei (萬飛) 12-inch action figure

Part 2 of a two-part review of the recently released Dragon Models Limited (DML) The Viral Factor (逆戰) 1/6th scale Jay Chou as Jon Man / Wan Fei (萬飛) 12-inch action figure (part 1 posted earlier HERE)

After having shown the box packaging and contents in the earlier post, here's the fully kitted out 1/6th scale Jay Chou as Jon Man / Wan Fei (萬飛) 12-inch action figure with a customized Mk 18 Mod 1 as seen in "The Viral Factor (逆戰)", a 2012 Hong Kong-Chinese action movie directed by Dante Lam. The rifle has a long railed handguard coupled with a short barrel and a Vltor Modstock, Aimpoint sight, a laser aiming module and fitted XM16E1-style lower receiver.


Dragon Models Limited (DML) The Viral Factor (逆戰) 12-inch Wan Fei (萬飛) / Jay Chou wears a black round neck tee under his black leather-like jacket over his green pants which comes with belt, boots and knee pads. On top of the black leather jacket is the assault vest with magazine pouches, an additional utility pouch and radio pouch with radio and throat mic plus ear piece.




Dragon started the "12-inch figure collecting" ball rolling again for collectors way back in 1999 when they released their FIRST 1/6th scale 12-inch Action Figure "Hans", a Wehrmacht (German Armed Forces) Infantry NCO during Operation Barbarossa (German: Unternehmen Barbarossa) in 1941. "Hans" became the new benchmark that all 1/6th scale 12-inch action figure manufacturers would aspire to emulate and improve upon. It marked the new age of 1/6th scale figures in 1999 and since "Hans" debut, the 1/6th scale collectible market has truly taken off in leaps and bounds. (see DML "Hans" pictures HERE)


The mantle has since been passed between Dragon and BBI over to Hot Toys (for movie-related and modern military figures), DID (for World War II and historic figures) and Soldier Story (modern military figures, post World War II and recently, World War II as well).


Dragon Models Limited is still around but prior to this release, they were pretty much rehashing some of their old stuff (mostly WWII Germans) and offering them to collectors. Many were not impressed with their lack of effort and stayed away from their products, me included.


Then recently Dragon Models Limited bagan to turn things around, offering new figures based on "The Pacific" TV series about the US Marine Corps fighting in the Pacific theater during WWII. That followed with the release of most of the cast from "Saving Private Ryan" and most recently, Dragon Models is back into movie tie-ups by releasing movie-related and officially licensed 12-inch figures from the movies.


This 1/6th scale Jay Chou as Jon Man / Wan Fei (萬飛) 12-inch action figure is just one of a pair of figures released in conjunction with the release of "The Viral Factor (逆戰)" with the movie stars' endorsement.


I like to vary my collection of 1/6th scale figures and I like 12-inch figures that are NOT just military based although I do collect a lot of these military themed figures as well. I like them for their realism and superb details but I also like movie-themed figures as well and I was keen to pick up this pair from Dragon Models Limited (DML).


The price was one of the contributing factors because I could get two figures for the price of one Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece 12-inch figure and let's face it, how many Iron Man repaints does one really need? I'll just stick to the ones that appeared in the movies and ignore those "Secret Projects" or other repaints that never appeared in any of the movies.


Although Jay Chou is still far from being well known to English audiences, his role in "Curse of the Golden Flower" has brought him international exposure. Chou gained further exposure to western audiences in his starring role as crimefighter Kato in January 2011's The Green Hornet. He may not be BIG yet in the other part of the world but he's certainly a major star here in this region so this DML 12-inch figure with Jay Chou's likeness is instantly recognizable to anyone here :)


The 1/6th scale accessories and weapons sets are not bad either.


And here's the Dragon Models (DML) 1/6th scale Jay Chou as Wan Fei (萬飛) 12-inch action figure standing side by side with the 12-inch Nicholas Tse as Wan Yang (萬陽) Figure. It's always nice to have a pair since ONE can be a loneliest number ;p



Check out my review of the Dragon Models Limited (DML) 1/6th scale Nicholas Tse as Wan Yang (萬陽) 12-inch action figure NEXT ;p

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