Walter Peck arrived the other day (before I got shipping confirmation!). Check out some pics and thoughts after the jump!
I have to start this article off stating that I am in love with the idea of a company making a Walter Peck figure. He’s the exact opposite of what you would expect as a toyetic character from a movie franchise, but he’s still a crucial part of the film and a character you love to hate. It’s akin to getting an Alfred figure in a Batman Begins line up. He’s not traditional action figure fodder, but appeals to a certain segment of the hardcore audience.
Peck comes with a ghost trap and the mother of all accessories, the ecto containment unit. His articulation is pretty standard for 4H sculpted suited characters from a Movie Masters line – dual hinged shoulders and hips; bicep, wrist, waist and mid-thigh cuts; elbow, ankle and knee hinges. He has no ab crunch and his head articulation is fairly limited. It’s a ball joint, but it’s blocked somehow so that you only get minimal up/down and tilting range.
Mattel really needs to focus on fixing this. The MOTUC neck range is good, but the Movie Masters figures and DCUC keep getting these blocked-up-for-no-good-reason neck ranges. I really don’t get it – they did it perfectly in DCUC for 6 whole waves, but now they can’t? It’s frustrating.
Moving on, I love how they made the tie. The tie pops out of that vest in perfect 80’s power tie fashion. That’s a nice little touch they didn’t have to do, but I’m glad to see. When I first saw the prototype, I was a little put off by Peck’s grinning visage, but I think it’s a very scene specific expression from his initial confrontation with Venkman seen here:
In that respect, I think they did a pretty good job capturing that look. A couple little tweaks would have helped, though. First, I think his eyebrows need to be a smidge lower. I think that would sell the smarminess factor of his grin a bit more. Also Peck’s hair looks darker or lighter depending on the scene in the film, but the man is clearly a ginger. I think a little bit of lighter red highlights would have been good in the hair.
Another small issue I have is that his arms appear a little too long, his hands a bit big and he looks a little odd just standing there with nothing in those giant mitts. I gave him a file folder from Clark Kent and a briefcase from a buffy figure and I think it helps him look a little more natural.
Another issue I have with this figure is that the plastic used for his face is very shiny. I was having a hard time lighting it and it looks pretty plastictastic. I might try hitting it with some dullcote later to flatten the look a bit.
All the execution issues aside, my love for the idea of getting Peck still carries the day and I do like the figure overall. If you aren’t as in love with the idea as I am, than you may want to steer clear. The figure itself is not a clear knockout. I can say, however, I unequivocally love his accessory containment unit.
The containment unit comes on a nice little section of basement wall with a bit of a concrete floor base. The texture and paint on the wall and the base are exactly right to convey the look of the materials they are supposed to represent. The brick wall texture is also on the back of the containment unit. It’s a nice touch that wasn’t necessary, but cool all the same. It makes for a nice solid chunk of plastic.
Maybe it’s just the kid in me, but I love that the lever on the unit actually opens the door when pull it down. It’s not the handle they use to open it in the movie, but it’s still a neat touch. I know my kids had fun with that aspect. The unit itself has a nice and bright red paint job that gives it the look of painted metal. The sculpt is good and sharp with plenty of wires and rivet detail. All the wires an buttons have clean paint work. The only thing missing were a couple little badges and warning labels. Nothing you’d really notice unless you are staring at film stills.
The ghost trap that comes with the unit is a little different from the one that came with Winston, but both can fit in the containment unit. The new trap doesn’t have the hinged doors or the trigger. The lack of hinges does give this new trap a more film accurate proportion. I didn’t know this before, but you can pull the cord of the Winston trap out. It’s just attached at a peg and mine was not glued in. The cord to the foot pedal does fit in the new trap, but it isn’t very secure.
Overall, I’m pleased with the purchase. The huge accessory and my love for for this particular evil film bureaucrat makes the high price point worth it. Here’s Peck with the rest of the Ghostbusters figures so far:
Next month, a lot of fans collections will be complete with the release of Peter Venkman! I can’t wait for him, but I really want a lot more figures before they shut this line down – I need the library ghost (both forms), Dana, Louis, Vigo, Gozer and some articulated Terror dogs! More ghosts, too!
