Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me: Moon Mission Mini-Me Action Figure by McFarlane Toys, Review by Andrew Lenahan
Series Overview:
Austin Powers might not necessarily seem like a natural for an action-figure line, but McFarlane Toys got the license in 1999 and produced two fine series. The later Goldmember line was made by Mezco, not McFarlane.
Toy Overview:
McFarlane's series-one Mini-Me must have been extremely popular, as he was made into a large-scale figure and then brought back as two different figures in series two, including this one. A companion piece to Moon Mission Dr. Evil, Moon Mission Mini-Me is based on the outfit from the moonbase scenes in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 9.5
Moon Mission Mini-Me's sculpt is even better (or at least, more realistic) than the previous version, though perhaps just a tiny bit less endearing as a result. For a three-inch piece of plastic, this figure absolutely bristles with detail, from textured lips (!) down to the tiny knobs on his breathing unit and even the zipper pull on his spacesuit! This is truly how an action figure should be made. The paint is also excellent, reinforcing some sculpt details and introducing others, like the tiny valve labels above each knob on the breathing unit. One minor quibble might be made regarding some too-dark facial details, especially the scar, and very dark areas around his eyes, making the figure look somewhat tired and bored. The effect is not extreme, though, and overall this is a damn fine figure.
Articulation: 7.5
Nobody really buys a McFarlane figure expecting dozens of points of articulation, and this figure is no exception. His head swivels, as do his shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, and ankles. Overall, a decent showing, though he does have trouble standing if his feet are turned even slightly, a problem that's even worse if he's holding the cat. There is a display stand included though (see Accessories).
Accessories: 7.5
While Mini-Me got an awesomely-detailed chair in series one, his major accessory now is a display stand with a voice feature. Since Mini-Me doesn't really talk, the included phrase (yes, just one) is Dr. Evil saying "Breathtaking... I shall call him Mini-Me." I've never been too thrilled with voice features in figures: I'd almost invariably prefer more/better accessories instead, or a cheaper toy. The stand is nicely designed and painted, even though it doesn't really match the toy, and the attached foot peg makes him float rather than stand.
The smaller accessories fare better. There's a nice Mini Mr. Bigglesworth with an articulated (turning) head and a spot-on paint job. Next up is a cool briefcase which opens to reveal beautifully-detailed money. There's also a clear plastic helmet bubble that attaches to Mini-Me's suit, and a notepad with the "hangman" gag from the film. Last and least is a... pen. I always like really tiny accessories, but come on... it's a pen. I guess it's supposed to go with the notepad, in case you want to pose Mini-Me writing stuff. You know, I guess some kids might want to pretend he's a midget moon accountant or something.
Packaging: Average
This was before McFarlane switched to the superior all-plastic packaging, so we get cardboard with a bubble. It's colourful though. You also get a little colour leaflet advertising some other McFarlane Toys releases.
Overall score: 8.5
There's no way around the obvious: this is an excellent figure. But it's just a notch below the previous year's series one Mini-Me. So if you have to get just one, get that one instead. For anyone else, this Mini-Me rocks.
Availability:
I doubt you'll ever see any more of these in stores, though anything is possible. It's still not too tough to find one, though. Try ebay.
Austin Powers might not necessarily seem like a natural for an action-figure line, but McFarlane Toys got the license in 1999 and produced two fine series. The later Goldmember line was made by Mezco, not McFarlane.
Toy Overview:
McFarlane's series-one Mini-Me must have been extremely popular, as he was made into a large-scale figure and then brought back as two different figures in series two, including this one. A companion piece to Moon Mission Dr. Evil, Moon Mission Mini-Me is based on the outfit from the moonbase scenes in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 9.5
Moon Mission Mini-Me's sculpt is even better (or at least, more realistic) than the previous version, though perhaps just a tiny bit less endearing as a result. For a three-inch piece of plastic, this figure absolutely bristles with detail, from textured lips (!) down to the tiny knobs on his breathing unit and even the zipper pull on his spacesuit! This is truly how an action figure should be made. The paint is also excellent, reinforcing some sculpt details and introducing others, like the tiny valve labels above each knob on the breathing unit. One minor quibble might be made regarding some too-dark facial details, especially the scar, and very dark areas around his eyes, making the figure look somewhat tired and bored. The effect is not extreme, though, and overall this is a damn fine figure.
Articulation: 7.5
Nobody really buys a McFarlane figure expecting dozens of points of articulation, and this figure is no exception. His head swivels, as do his shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, and ankles. Overall, a decent showing, though he does have trouble standing if his feet are turned even slightly, a problem that's even worse if he's holding the cat. There is a display stand included though (see Accessories).
Accessories: 7.5
While Mini-Me got an awesomely-detailed chair in series one, his major accessory now is a display stand with a voice feature. Since Mini-Me doesn't really talk, the included phrase (yes, just one) is Dr. Evil saying "Breathtaking... I shall call him Mini-Me." I've never been too thrilled with voice features in figures: I'd almost invariably prefer more/better accessories instead, or a cheaper toy. The stand is nicely designed and painted, even though it doesn't really match the toy, and the attached foot peg makes him float rather than stand.
The smaller accessories fare better. There's a nice Mini Mr. Bigglesworth with an articulated (turning) head and a spot-on paint job. Next up is a cool briefcase which opens to reveal beautifully-detailed money. There's also a clear plastic helmet bubble that attaches to Mini-Me's suit, and a notepad with the "hangman" gag from the film. Last and least is a... pen. I always like really tiny accessories, but come on... it's a pen. I guess it's supposed to go with the notepad, in case you want to pose Mini-Me writing stuff. You know, I guess some kids might want to pretend he's a midget moon accountant or something.
Packaging: Average
This was before McFarlane switched to the superior all-plastic packaging, so we get cardboard with a bubble. It's colourful though. You also get a little colour leaflet advertising some other McFarlane Toys releases.
Overall score: 8.5
There's no way around the obvious: this is an excellent figure. But it's just a notch below the previous year's series one Mini-Me. So if you have to get just one, get that one instead. For anyone else, this Mini-Me rocks.
Availability:
I doubt you'll ever see any more of these in stores, though anything is possible. It's still not too tough to find one, though. Try ebay.
posted by Andrew Lenahan at 10:08 PM
1 Comments:
My simple opinion here...Cuteness and creepiness wrapped up into one. I didn't get to see the first Mini-me....but I thought this one was pretty neat! I like the spacesuit. I didn't notice Mr. Bigglesworth :( I'll have to check him out when I get home today.
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