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Aliens and Predator | ||||||||||
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t would be difficult to find a science-fiction fan who doesn't recognize the creatures from the film series Alien and Predator. When the first entries in these franchises hit theaters, they were greeted with great response. Alien was an entirely innovative step in film, more of a horror film than an action film, while its sequel met all the requirements of one of the best action films ever made. Predator, like Aliens, was more action than suspense, but it brought to audiences an interesting twist on the hunter-and-hunted theme, with an alien who could literally be an invisible predator. The alien, it turned out, was simply out for a weekend's hunt, and humans were the prey.
Many action figures have been created based on these films and a popular follow-up comic book series. There exist a few rare examples from the first Aliens film to a large line created by Kenner in the '80s, and revived again in the '90s, which included aliens in the form of various animals, such as a gorilla and a scorpion. With more films being produced in these well-liked properties (two Predator films and four Alien films), demand for these figures has never died away. Many products were created, including a box set of 12" figures of Alien and Predator facing off together, and an Alien vs. Hicks 12" set from Kenner.
Now McFarlane Toys, widely renowned for raising the bar in action figures with its high detail and wide range of articulation, has given avid fans another taste of what they crave seemingly without relief: Dog Alien from Alien 3 and Warrior Alien from Alien Resurrection, as well as the Predator Aliens from Predator and Predator 2. These are part of the McFarlane line of toys known as Movie Maniacs, which has in the past included figures of Ash from Army of Darkness, Edward Scissorhands and The Terminator.
Each figure comes packaged in clear plastic with detailed colorful printed inserts and a small version of the poster from the corresponding movie. The aliens have no accessories, but the Predators come with weapons as seen in the films.
On shelves, no one can hear them scream
The detailing on the two Predator figures is nothing short of incredible, with great attention to every little texture or piece of armor. These alien hunters have many points of articulation, including not-often-seen "shoulder blade" joints that swing the entire shoulder backward and forward. Even the torso is jointed in three separate places. However, the elbows have very simple rotary movement.
The first Predator has a severed arm that can be detached and is flecked with bright yellow and green splotches of blood. His arm blades retract, and his helmet is removable.
The second Predator is practically identical to his earlier relation, which is perhaps the biggest disappointment of this set. Down to the very last armor detail and paint, these are identical except that the second figure has a slightly different head, with no helmet or removable arm. However, he does have a forearm-mounted computer console with flip-up lid, and an extendable stafflike weapon.
The Dog Alien is modeled in an animallike posture, with limbs that are jointed in a canine fashion, resembling the creature hatched from the stomach of a dog in Alien 3. The long tail is wired within for bending into any position. His head cranes back or forward, and the trademarked "inner mouth" is spring-loaded, thrusting forward with the flick of a switch.
The Warrior Alien is a nicely detailed figure with hideous exoskeletal structure throughout, and protrusions that are part of the reason this thing is so feared by film fans. This one has an interesting feature at the abdomen—a small flap of rubber connecting the hip part with the chest. The result is that when the chest is turned, the stomach twists, fleshlike, which is quite creepy, and a great design.
The problem with this pair of figures, however, is that the articulation pales in comparison with most McFarlane figures, which is notable particularly because the company that raised the bar in the first place didn't quite shoot for it this time.
The arms of these aliens are not well articulated, and have contorted wrists or elbows. Some joints don't always allow for natural positions. The legs have only hip and ankle joints, and those are quite simple.
All in all, while the Predators maintain the McFarlane standard, the Aliens fall well short. They still look attractive, but don't feature the degree of mobility McFarlane's fans usually enjoy.
These Predators are quite amazing, with a surprise in every detail. However, the Aliens are hard to pose, especially around the arms and hands, but at least in artistic beauty these shine above most of Kenner's work on these properties. — Sean
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