Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!
I know everyone is currently going ape-poopy over the brand new Planet of the Apes movie, and while it is really cool, the property has been a staple of Hollywood for almost fifty years. So while NECA is supporting the new hype, they are also paying tribute to the classic 1968 flick that started it all. Yep, Dr. Zaius, Cornelius, the Gorilla Soldier, and the old school crew have started to hit the toy racks across the globe, and these damned dirty apes have never looked better.
I really like the new movies and I grabbed the new Cesar figure that NECA released a few months ago, but these classic apes really speak to me in their action figure goodness. For a while I was hesitant to start a new figure line, but since I had to go hunting for these for my mother-in-law, of all people, I was pretty much doomed to pick these up for myself the moment I clapped eyes on them. NECA has been doing some pretty amazing things the past couple of years and have been collecting their Gremlins, Predators, and other things. However, these Apes figures might just be some of the best stuff they have ever done.
As far as the “screen to plastic” translation goes, I find all three of this first wave to be pretty darned perfect. NECA has been killing it with their sculpts for the past several years, but these guys have a nice scheme of blended articulation and durability to them to go along with their looking great. I know NECA has been improving a lot with their articulation, but fragility has always been a concern for most of their figures. Well, these stinkin’ simians are tough and make for great toys. I will let the pictures speak for themselves for the most part, but I am so excited for this line now; I hope it gets the legs it deserves and takes off for several assortments.
Dr. Zaius
Dr. Zaius is probably my favorite of the three figures. His likeness is spot-on, and while he is not the most exciting character for a highly posable action figure (he does come with a cane, after all), you cannot have a first series of PotA figures without him. He is certainly a main and memorable character in the movie, and, thanks to The Simpsons, he is been revitalized as a favorite ape of most of my age group/generation. Oooooh, Dr. Zaius! Of these first three figures, I think he has the most impressive paint detail, despite being the most monochromatic. Every fold in his skin and (probably) lice-infected hair follicle is highlighted by some great paint detail. All of the pieces came together with Dr. Z, and he will stand front and center in the display.
Cornelius
Roddy McDowell brought to life the quintessential and, likely, most memorable ape from the original movie, and NECA has certainly done him justice. I think when you think about how the apes looked in the original PotA movie, it is Cornelius’ mug that pops into your mind’s eye first. The figure’s likeness is very good overall, but maybe not quite as nice as Dr. Zaius’ translation. Additionally, the wash on the face is just slightly too dark, but it is not a whole lot to crow over. I do love that Cornelius gets “thumb toe” boots, and he is the only one in the first series where you can actually see his stinking ape paws. I do like his expression a great deal — it is stern, but concerned, and, it might just be me, but like the great makeup allowed in the movie, you can get just a touch of McDowell’s likeness in the figure.
Gorilla Soldier
George Taylor help me, I just might buy an entire army of these soldiers. By far the most “toyetic” of the first assortment, I pity anyone who believes that they do not need a gorilla army in their toy room. This figure captures the generic soldier look quite well (sans the helmet, but that is coming later), but while it keeps the nameless look, the head sculpt has a lot of personality. This guy looks mean and ready to rip your arms off and eat your skin. The black coloring of his face and hair adds to his imposing nature and he comes armed with the standard-issue ape rifle and club. The latter of which can hang from a hook at his side, which is a nice touch on NECA’s part — I love it when a figure can hold and store all of its weapons. They also included a swappable fist so you can beat up your dirty human action figures with his bare paws. I am going to need Storm Trooper-level numbers of this guy.
It’s okay to go bananas because these classic Planet of the Apes figures are the real deal. They are hitting Toys R Us (linked below) and specialty shops now, and I highly recommend them. NECA has already announced the second assortment (for the end of the year) featuring Zira, General Ursus, and a second Zaius. Now, NECA did show off a Mego-styled George Taylor at SDCC this year, so I am really hoping we get a proper figure of him in this line by the third series.
You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!
Additional Links
Glad to hear you agree, Ron. I have always like the classic Apes movie, but I would not say I have a huge emotional attachment to it, so I was really able to judge these figures on their own merits. I think that NECA has turned a corner with these: sculpt, paint, articulation and durability have all come together perfectly.
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