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Review of MacReady - The Thing
Station Survival Ultimate Activity Figure
NECA
Date Published: 2021-x-08
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 3.v out of 4
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Introduction
Information technology's been a long time since SOTA did their version of MacReady from the Carpenter classic The Thing. Too long. But NECA has the license now, and is incorporating figures into their 'ultimate' line of 7" characters.
They started with a MacReady of course, and it was a terrific figure. They are following that upwardly with a variation on the character, called the 'station survival' release. I believe this one is a Walmart exclusive here in the U.Due south., which is where I picked information technology up for around $30.
Packaging - ***
Nice Struzan style artwork makes these packages particularly cute. It's non quite as collector friendly equally I like, but the effort to remove the figure and accessories is still pretty minimal with trivial packet damage.
Sculpting - ***
The figure is in a seven" calibration, hitting that number just about dead on. He'll fit in corking with the rest of the serial, and he works a bit better with the play set that came with the SOTA release than the larger SOTA effigy. In fact, that's the diorama y'all see me using in the photos.
These are the same portraits you saw with the beginning release, just with a pilus swap. The open mouth head now has the pilus, while the closed mouth has the blue hood. Since I want the first one to wear the hood (with the chapeau) and this one to take the hair,, I would have really preferred keeping them the same, so I'd accept two unlike expressions on the shelf. I suspect I'll get dorsum and swap the original hooded head for this new airtight mouth version, so I have both expressions on display.
No biggie though, and the portraits are peachy from the right angle, so-so from others. The detail work on the hair and beard is really overnice, and the sculpt from the cervix down - with unlike clothing textures, wrinkles, and folds - is nice, and identical to the first release.
The one change in the costume is the addition of the belt and holster for the handgun.
Paint - ****
Simply similar the earlier release, the paint piece of work here is first-class. No slop, no bad edges, and there's a lot of realism communicated through the paint applications.
The faces are specially good, with make clean eyes and a subtle transition from the beard to the pare. Small details like the buttons or zippers are well done, and add together to the appeal. The wash on the leather coat is worth noting, as it creates a black/brown combination that is very life-like in hand.
Articulation - ***one/ii
The body is identical to the first release - everything yous had there you have hither in this category.
The ball jointed neck is a bit restricted with both portraits, merely you tin still become a little lean and tilt. The heads swap easily.
The shoulders, elbows, and wrists will fine with the accessories, which is particularly important with the flame thrower. The easily swap easily likewise.
The torso can turn, but at that place's no ab-crunch due to the coat. The hips, knees, and ankles piece of work well, and you can get some decent rocker movement to establish the feet in deeper stances.
NECA has done a nice task hiding this joint with a well engineered design. None of the joints are obtrusive or glaring, adding to the realism of the effigy on the shelf.
Accessories - ****
The 'ultimate' figures always come packed with goodies, but at that place's some particularly cool ones with this release.
As I mentioned, at that place'south that alternating portrait. I doubtable I'yard going to swap this 1 in on the original trunk with the hat and goggles.
At that place's besides five extra hands, all united nations-gloved. He comes wearing gloved hands, but these bare versions are designed to work with various accessories. They bandy hands too.
I mentioned he'south wearing a gun belt and holster now, and at that place'due south a handgun to go in the proper place. There's besides a package of dynamite, and a climbing axe.
Perhaps the coolest extra is the Petri dish labeled 'Palmer'. There's an exploding blood effect that you can attach, and a spool of wire as well. With these iii pieces you can recreate the blood testing scene.
The big extra everyone will desire is the flame thrower. It fits on his back pretty easily, and in that location'south a flame effect you can attach to the butt.
Fun Factor - ***i/two
With solid articulation and a ton of extras, you'll take a lot of fun trying out diverse poses for the shelf. If you take the other version as well, yous'll be able to exercise some combining to get the most out of both.
Value - **1/ii
At $30, he's right there with the rest of the Ultimates line. With this many extras - especially boosted heads - it's a solid value.
Things to Watch Out For -
The straps on the pack are a little thin, so exist carefully when putting it over the artillery. I did both arms at one time, and information technology seemed to piece of work pretty well.
Overall - ***1/two
The beginning MacReady was adept enough - he had the iconic hat, and the different heads gave you lot all the options you lot really need.
But this version takes information technology up a notch with the flame thrower. For the diehard fan of the picture like myself, there's no way you won't be picking this one up. The only downside is finding one at Walmart, although if I was able to do it I'one thousand betting anyone can.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ****
Articulation - ***1/2
Accessories - ****
Fun Cistron - ***1/ii
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***1/ii
Where to Buy
This guy is a Walmart sectional, I believe, where he's the usual $30. Online options include these site sponsors:
- y'all can always search ebay for a deal.
Related Links -
Bank check out the regular release MacReady, reviewed hither.
You should likewise hitting the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicative reviews were done after this 1 was published.
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This production was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.
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