The Lord of the Rings: Smeagol action figure review by Andrew Lenahan
Figure: Smeagol / Gollum
Property: The Lord of the Rings
Series: The Two Towers and The Return of the King (same figure released in both packages)
Number: 81112
Keywords: Smeagol, Sméagol, Gollum, Andy Serkis, J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, bearer of the One Ring, creepy little dude
Company: Toy Biz
Release year: 2003
Series Overview:
When Peter Jackson's film versions of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings were universally recieved as among the most critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful movies of all time, an action-figure line to go along with them seemed inevitable. Marvel Comics-owned Toy Biz was chosen for the task, with somewhat mixed results. Although fairly detailed, these are certainly mass-market figures. Note that these should not be confused with the other line of Lord of the Rings toys from a few years earlier, which were unrelated to the movies.
Character Overview:
Often cited as a good example of how an all-CGI character should be done, Gollum / Smeagol (voiced by 24-Hour Party People's Andy Serkis) is a pathetic creature who once posessed the One Ring and was corrupted and twisted by its power. He has since lost it, and would do anything to get it back.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 7
Though rather unfortunately made of soft rubber (see Articulation, below) rather than plastic, Smeagol is a decent likeness. His face is far more benevolent-looking than the scheming Gollum, and he has a fair amount of detail as well. His paint job is good, with appropriately dirty bare feet and glossy paint used to make his eyes shine.
Articulation: 2
Now for Gollums big problem: he's not really an action figure, he's a bendy. For those lucky enough not to know what a bendy is, it's a soft rubber figure with a wire frame inside... unlike true action figures, which are generally plastic and articulated at the joints. A good example of a bendy is Gumby. The main problem with a bendy is that, contrary to its name, it removes all hope of realistic articulation from a figure. It is impossible to make Smeagol crouch or stoop, which is how he's normally posed in the movies. He only looks right standing straight up, which he didn't do in the films. He also cannot stand without his base or some other support.
Accessories: 8
I often say that if a figure is only going to come with one accessory, it should be a cool base. Fortunately for Smeagol, his oneaccessory is a base, and it is indeed pretty cool. It's a jutting rocky ledge with a tree and some vines for detail. It also talks, saying two phrases: "Good Smeagol" and "Nice hobbits" (though according to the packaging it should be "Nice hobbitses"). I believe it's also in Andy Serkis' real voice. The button to activate the speech is rather cleverly hidden as a small rock, and the speaker is nicely tucked under the ledge, pretty much invisible unless you lift it up.
Packaging: Average
The Lord of the Rings basic figures come in a fairly elaborated windowed package which is an interesting variation on the traditional card/bubble concept. However, the packaging is also far too bulky for the figures. On the plus side, there is a bit of information about each character on the back, and instructions for the figure's features.
Overall score: 4
If you absolutely, positively MUST own a Toy Biz Smeagol / Gollum figure... you still shouldn't buy this. They also made a far superior articulated plastic version of Gollum, which is recommended far more highly than this. This is of interest only to rabid Lord of the Rings completionists.
Availability:
As of this writing, Smeagol should still be in stores. If you really want him, Amazon has him at a discount [link].
Property: The Lord of the Rings
Series: The Two Towers and The Return of the King (same figure released in both packages)
Number: 81112
Keywords: Smeagol, Sméagol, Gollum, Andy Serkis, J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, bearer of the One Ring, creepy little dude
Company: Toy Biz
Release year: 2003
Series Overview:
When Peter Jackson's film versions of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings were universally recieved as among the most critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful movies of all time, an action-figure line to go along with them seemed inevitable. Marvel Comics-owned Toy Biz was chosen for the task, with somewhat mixed results. Although fairly detailed, these are certainly mass-market figures. Note that these should not be confused with the other line of Lord of the Rings toys from a few years earlier, which were unrelated to the movies.
Character Overview:
Often cited as a good example of how an all-CGI character should be done, Gollum / Smeagol (voiced by 24-Hour Party People's Andy Serkis) is a pathetic creature who once posessed the One Ring and was corrupted and twisted by its power. He has since lost it, and would do anything to get it back.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 7
Though rather unfortunately made of soft rubber (see Articulation, below) rather than plastic, Smeagol is a decent likeness. His face is far more benevolent-looking than the scheming Gollum, and he has a fair amount of detail as well. His paint job is good, with appropriately dirty bare feet and glossy paint used to make his eyes shine.
Articulation: 2
Now for Gollums big problem: he's not really an action figure, he's a bendy. For those lucky enough not to know what a bendy is, it's a soft rubber figure with a wire frame inside... unlike true action figures, which are generally plastic and articulated at the joints. A good example of a bendy is Gumby. The main problem with a bendy is that, contrary to its name, it removes all hope of realistic articulation from a figure. It is impossible to make Smeagol crouch or stoop, which is how he's normally posed in the movies. He only looks right standing straight up, which he didn't do in the films. He also cannot stand without his base or some other support.
Accessories: 8
I often say that if a figure is only going to come with one accessory, it should be a cool base. Fortunately for Smeagol, his oneaccessory is a base, and it is indeed pretty cool. It's a jutting rocky ledge with a tree and some vines for detail. It also talks, saying two phrases: "Good Smeagol" and "Nice hobbits" (though according to the packaging it should be "Nice hobbitses"). I believe it's also in Andy Serkis' real voice. The button to activate the speech is rather cleverly hidden as a small rock, and the speaker is nicely tucked under the ledge, pretty much invisible unless you lift it up.
Packaging: Average
The Lord of the Rings basic figures come in a fairly elaborated windowed package which is an interesting variation on the traditional card/bubble concept. However, the packaging is also far too bulky for the figures. On the plus side, there is a bit of information about each character on the back, and instructions for the figure's features.
Overall score: 4
If you absolutely, positively MUST own a Toy Biz Smeagol / Gollum figure... you still shouldn't buy this. They also made a far superior articulated plastic version of Gollum, which is recommended far more highly than this. This is of interest only to rabid Lord of the Rings completionists.
Availability:
As of this writing, Smeagol should still be in stores. If you really want him, Amazon has him at a discount [link].
posted by Andrew Lenahan at 8:39 AM
1 Comments:
After owning and fondling the larger Smeagol/Gollum figure that I have....this one just doesn't cut it. If you want a Smeagol/Gollum action figure...buy the bigger one. He has two different heads...one of Smeagol and the other of Gollum...He has a fish...and...AND the most awesomest of bases ....The base MY Smeagol/Gollum comes with has a secret compartment that you can put the extra head and the fish....and two buttons...one with an "S" for all of smeagol's phrases and one with a "G" for all of Gollum's phrases....way more superior then the figure you just reviewed. :)
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