Recommended music: John Williams – Out To Sea (from Jaws)
Welcome back to another year of #WhateverWednesday. Today, I’m checking out the NECA Toys Jaws Ultimate Matt Hooper!
Richard Dreyfuss made Matt Hooper a key part of the 1975 classic Jaws. Hooper brings scientific know-how, a bit of youthful arrogance, and stands out from Brody and Quint. He starts out as an outsider but becomes an important ally, relying on his smarts rather than his strength. Hooper helps the people of Amity Island (and the audience) learn about sharks and shows how science, experience, and bureaucracy can clash in the face of danger. He also adds comic relief and represents a modern way of thinking. Dreyfuss’s memorable performance gives the character real depth. Thankfully, the affair between Hooper and Ellen Brody from Peter Benchley’s novel was left out of Steven Spielberg’s film script for Jaws. That way, you weren’t rooting for the shark in the end.
I’ve been a fan of Jaws for many years, and it’s one of those films I will sit through commercials for if it’s playing on TV in my hotel room, even if the movie is half over. 😄 I just love the acting, the suspense, and the John Williams score. Unfortunately, I’ve never found great action figures for the film until now. NECA has had the licence for a few years, but their 2022 releases of both Quint and two different versions of Hooper were done in an 8” or 1/9 scale. Not only would these not mesh well with action figures in a 7” or 1/12 scale display, but they also resembled old 8” Mego figures with their excessive soft goods, not an aesthitic I collect.
When NECA announced that Hooper and Quint would join their 7-inch Ultimate line for the Jaws 50th anniversary at the New York Toy Fair in March, I was thrilled. Even though they didn’t ship until the third quarter and missed the actual anniversary on June 20, I could not be more pleased with how they turned out.
The likeness is spot-on on each of the FOUR different head options. About the only things he doesn’t come with are a scuba suit, a bottle of wine, and his tape recorder, as this release covers virtually every other Hooper costume from the film. In addition to nine different hand options, the figure also features interchangeable arms for an alternative look in his denim jacket or sweater. I really appreciate this approach, as the recent Back To The Future line really could have benefited from swappable arms on a few Marty McFly figures. For accessories, Hooper includes many scene-specific items, including his duffel bag, a fishing hook, a scuba tank, a shark dart, a crushed styrofoam cup, and another styrofoam cup (not crushed).
Overall, an excellent figure and one of the best of the year. I only wish we had a Chief Martin Brody figure to accompany him in the display, but I’ve heard the estate of Roy Scheider does not want his likeness used on products, so any Brody figures out there are either not very lifelike, like Lego, or 3rd-party customs.
#ActionFigurePhotography
#NECA
#ToyPhotography
Dale's Toys 