Tag: books

Recommended music: Black Sabbath – Paranoid

So for this #TolkienThursday, we’re continuing on with The Two Towers. Here’s another ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Smeagol!

During the first half of The Two Towers, we get to see Gollum’s split personality and his transformation into his light-hearted persona of Smeagol. Fortunately, ToyBiz also saw the marketing potential for this funny character and gave us this good guy version of Gollum with an Electronic Sound Base, but now with a smiling facial expression. He also comes with different sound clips that play when pressing the button on the rock base, including “Good Smeagol” and “Nice Hobbitses!”

The figures both came out in the fourth wave of half moon packaged figures from the film, but it wasn’t really like a chase thing, as the package clearly stated which version you were getting. To be honest, I feel like the pegs were often loaded with both versions. It must have been a good seller for ToyBiz, though, as they repacked the figure for the first carded wave of TTT figures (but not Gollum this time), and then again for the third wave of Return of the King figures (simultaneously with Gollum again). Finally, this was one of six figures to be included in a dual language wave of ROTK figures exclusive to Canada.

Like the Gollum figure, Smeagol has a solid sculpt and paint job comparable to the rest of the line, but the articulation is still a weak effort. Having no proper joints, the figure does not mesh as well with the rest of the line. Thankfully, ToyBiz had a few more versions of the character in the works for future releases.

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#LOTR
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Recommended music: Howard Shore -Master Peregrin’s Plan

We’re still walking south past Isengard this #TolkienThursday, but it doesn’t feel like going downhill talking about another ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Treebeard!

In The Two Towers book, Treebeard is the eldest of the Ents, but he still relies on a quorum of the younger Ents (the Entmoot). Again, they decide to attack Isengard following this meeting, and there is some Ent singing along the way.

For Peter Jackson’s The Two Towers film, the Entmoot does not lead the Ents to war. However, Pippin convinces Treebeard to carry him and Merry south past Isengard, where he sees the destruction of Fangorn forest and decides to take a side against Saruman.

“I am not altogether on anybody’s side, because nobody is altogether on my side, if you understand me: nobody cares for the woods as I care for them, not even Elves nowadays.”

…

This 9 and 3/4″ tall Treebeard figure was a surprise release to me when it came out in the second carded wave (seventh wave overall) of figures for The Two Towers. Around half the size of the first release (and minus the electronic features), he came on a standard figure card. The excellent sculpt and paint job are retained from the larger version, and the articulation appears to be pretty similar. Like the big one, some assembly was required to get all the branches attached, as they just could fit in the standard figure’s bubble.

The figure must have sold well as ToyBiz released him again in the Return of the King line, and he was also available in a ROTK 2-pack with Gandalf, which was exclusive to the UK only.

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#LOTR
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Recommended music: Howard Shore -The Last March of the Ents (feat. Ben Del Maestro)

Don’t be hasty this #TolkienThursday. Let’s take our time talking about the ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Treebeard!

In The Two Towers book, Treebeard is the eldest of the Ents in Middle-Earth. While Ents are not technically trees, Treebeard was a “shepherd of trees.” Treebeard calls out the other remaining Ents for a meet-up known as an Entmoot. They decide to attack Isengard as a result. Also, there is a lot of singing.

For the Peter Jackson films, the Entmoot does not lead the Ents to war. However, the result is the same. A clever Pippin gets the idea for Treebeard to carry him and Merry towards Isengard. This causes Treebeard to see the destruction of the forest. He then calls upon the Ents to march on Isengard anyway.

[The Ents hover, making low voices. Treebeard approaches the hobbits.]

Pippin: “Merry.”

Treebeard: “We have just agreed.”

[He seems to fall asleep.]

Merry: “Yes?”

Treebeard: “I have told your names to the Entmoot and we have agreed: you are not orcs.”

Pippin: “Well, that’s good news.”

Merry: “And what about Saruman? Have you come to a decision about him?”

Treebeard: “Now don’t be hasty, Master Meriadoc.”

Merry: “Hasty?! Our friends are out there. They need our help! They cannot fight this war on their own.”

Treebeard: “War, yes. It affects us all. But you must understand, young hobbit. It takes a long time to say anything in old Entish, and we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say.”

…

This 17″ Treebeard figure was available right away when the first waves of figures for The Two Towers line were hitting stores, and the film was hitting theaters. While the $30 price point seemed high at the time, it’s a steal today considering the scale and electronic features. Not only do the eyes light up, but the mouth moves (well, the mustache anyway). He delivers a handful of lines from the film with the press of a branch, and voice sounds right on for Treebeard voice actor  John Rhys-Davies. The sculpt and paint are stellar, and the articulation is better than you’d expect with a plant based figure of this size. ToyBiz could have made him even taller, but he has a hard enough time fitting in my The Two Towers display, especially with two hobbits in tow.😛

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#LOTR
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Recommended music: Howard Shore -Théoden King (feat. “The Funeral of Théodred”, performed by Miranda Otto)

The Hour is not Late, Ringers! On this #TolkienThursday, let’s talk about the ToyBiz Possessed King Théoden!

In The Lord of the Rings books, King Théoden ruled Rohan for nearly 40 years. Becoming old and tired, Théoden allowed his chief adviser Gríma to mislead him during Rohan’s invasion by Dunlendings, Uruk-hai, and other Orcs due to the influence of Saruman’s machinations.

For the Peter Jackson films, Théoden is straight up possessed by Saruman and initially appears to be an extremely old man with glazed-over eyes and gray hair who is not willing to send out the Rohirrim to defend their lands against the new invaders.

GRIMA: (whispering to Théoden) He’s not welcome.

THEODEN: Why should I welcome you……Gandalf Stormcrow? (he looks to Grima for agreement)

GRIMA: A just question, my liege. (he gets up and walks towards Gandalf) Late is the hour… in which this conjurer chooses to appear. (The menacing group moves nearer to them.) Lathspell, I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.

Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas arrive in Edoras, and Gandalf exorcises Saruman’s spell right out of Théoden. The king quickly returns to a healthier look and recovers his clarity, booting Grima from Edoras.

This Théoden figure was included in the fifth and final wave of carded figures for The Two Towers line and was not a part of any other releases. This was the third Théoden figure released for TTT, with one more packaged for Return of the King. The figure comes with no accessories, but this version of Théoden King does not have his sword in the film just yet. While it may look like ToyBiz was trying to be cheap with this release, the final look of the figure is excellent with a beautifully painted unique headsculpt and sculpted robe overlay.

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Recommended music: Howard Shore -The Court of Meduseld

Good morning, Ringers! On this #TolkienThursday, let’s talk about the ToyBiz Grima Wormtongue!

In The Lord of the Rings books, Wormtongue was the main advisor and confidant for King Théoden of Rohan. Gríma served as a mole for Saruman and worked to weaken Théoden and the Rohirrim while creeping after Eowyn. When this was revealed, Grima joined Saruman in Isengard and would later follow him to the Shire before murdering Saruman.

For the Peter Jackson films, a good amount of Grima’s story changed due to simplifying things for the big screen. While Grima has Eomer arrested in the books, he banishes him from Rohan in the film. When Gandalf frees Théoden from Saruman’s spell in the book, the king gives Grima two options: ride into battle or be exiled from Rohan. For the film, the king appears to be ready to take out Grima with his sword until Aragorn steps in.

The biggest differences for Grima from the books are that the “Scouring of the Shire” chapters did not film into the film trilogy, so the deaths of Saruman and Grima were moved to Isengard, and even then were on seen in the Extended Edition of Return of the King.

American actor Brad Dourif plays Grima in the film. While Dourif got his big break in 1975 for his role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, he is most famous for being the voice of Chucky. Dourif voiced the scary living doll from the original Child’s Play film in 1988. He continued this role through at least 2024.

This Grima Wormtongue figure was included in the second wave of half moon packaged figures for The Two Towers line and was not a part of any other releases. For accessories, Grima comes with a sculpted plastic handkerchief and two different daggers. He also comes with a third weapon that also resembles a dagger but is supposed to be a vial of poison. Toybiz could have made the figure’s flesh even paler. However, the sculpt and paint do a decent job of representing the character in the film. There is also a button on his back to assist with the “knife slashing action.”

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#LOTR

Recommended music: Howard Shore -The Banishment of Éomer

On this #TolkienThursday, we’re still in the year 3019 of the Third Age and…haha, I’ll try not to get that nerdy today as we’re taking a look at the ToyBiz Prince Theodred!

The only son of King Théoden and Prince of Rohan, Théodred was also the Second Marshal of the Riddermark. As there simply wasn’t time for any of this character setup in the Lord of the Rings films (even the extended editions), so Theodred’s story in The Two Towers pretty much begins with his death. In the book, his death and hasty burial take place a week before the three hunters show up in Edoras. For the film, Theodred is injured in battle, but he is found by his cousin Eomer, who takes the wounded Theodred back to Edoras on his horse, and later has a funeral there following his death, as seen in the Extended version.

This Prince Theodred was included in the fourth wave of carded figures for The Two Towers line, and was not a part of any other releases. Armed with a sword and a removable helmet, the figure could have made for a decent army builder. However, there is a big gaping wound in his belly from his final injury sustained from a battle against Saruman’s orc army. I think the figure might have been better off having closed eyes, or better yet, just included undamaged armor. That small change would have at least allowed ToyBiz to reuse the body for more riders of Rohan and possibly even make some soldier variants repacked with horses. 😜

In the end, it seems like this was a character ToyBiz really could have skipped, but I’m glad the line went deep enough to include him.

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#LOTR

Recommended music: Howard Shore -The Riders of Rohan

Ending up in Rohan this #TolkienThursday? Well, we’ve got you covered tonight with the ToyBiz Eomer!

In The Two Towers film, Éomer is an outcast because of Gríma Wormtongue’s manipulation of King Théoden; the order of events varies a bit from the book. Eomer still shows up fairly early in the film when his cousin Théodred, son of Théoden, is killed in battle, leading to his banishment by way of Grima. Soon after, Eomer is on patrol with other riders of the Rohirrim and comes upon Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas. The film character is also later combined with the book character Erkenbrand, who arrives with Gandalf for this return to Helm’s Deep.

This Eomer with Sword Attack Action was included in the second wave of half-moon packaged figures for The Two Towers line, later repacked in the first series of figures on the smaller cards. Both releases are identical, including his sword and a helmet.

While the head sculpt does show a lot of emotion, it unfortunately is not the best likeness of actor Karl Urban in his late twenties. The articulation and pose for this figure are also not the best, as he may look better on a horse than awkwardly crouching his way into battle. 😄 Honestly, I usually keep this figure on a horse and display it with Return of the King figures, not the rest of the Rohirrim.

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Recommended music: Howard Shore – The Plains of Rohan

Sneaking up this #TolkienThursday, we’ve got the Gentle Giant Snaga!

In the books, a “snaga” is a term for lesser breeds of Orcs. In Peter Jackson’s The Two Towers film, Snaga is an orc scout recruited by Grishnákh to help him escort Merry and Pippin to Isengard. Snaga and the other Orcs become hungry after running for days and desire more than bread for sustenance.

Snaga: “Yeah! Why can’t we have some meat?”

Snaga: “What about them? They’re fresh!”

Uglúk: “They are not for eating!”

…

Snaga: “Just a mouthful. A bit off the flank.”

[Uglúk cuts off Snaga’s head.]

Uglúk: “Looks like meat’s back on the menu, boys!”

Snaga was not included in The Two Towers line or any other Lord of the Rings action figure line by Toybiz. I have not yet made a 1/12 scale custom figure of the character in the 20 years since the toy line. However, I found a great stand-in with this resin bust from Gentle Giant. At just over 7″, he is supposed to be 1/6 scale and is limited to 1500 pieces. While he is missing legs and any articulation, the paint and detail are excellent. Sculpted below the character’s upper half is a stone base with a hidden storage compartment that is just large enough to safely keep your One Ring when not in use.

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Recommended music: Howard Shore – Night Camp

Going ahead on this #TolkienThursday, we’ve got the ToyBiz Grishnakh!

In The Two Towers, Grishnákh is an orc captain who sees a little more screen time (and dialogue) in the Extended Edition compared with the theatrical cut. After a day of running with Isengard Orcs, Grishnákh and his fellow Mordor Orcs wish to rest near the Fangorn Forest and make a meal of Merry and Pippin.

Grishnák: “What about their legs? They don’t need those. Ooh! They look tasty!”

Uglúk: “Get back, scum! The prisoners go to Saruman. Alive and unspoiled.”

Grishnakh: “Alive? Why alive? Do they give good sport?”

Grishnakh was included in a 2-pack for The Two Towers line with Merry and also came in a single card release during the fifth wave of TTT figures. Both versions look the same to me, and both look incorrect to me. Most of the Lord of the Rings figures released by ToyBiz looked very accurate to what you see on screen, but the Grishnak figure came with a peachy skin tone. This looked far too bright to me, so a darker-skinned custom has been a part of my display for more than a decade.

The Grishnákh figure comes with a unique sword weapon and the button for his “Sword-Slashing Action,” which is not hidden by the fur draped over his shoulders.

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Recommended music: Howard Shore – Uglúk’s Warriors

Up next this #TolkienThursday, we’ve got the ToyBiz Ugluk!

For The Fellowship of the Ring, Peter Jackson created the orc character Lurtz to serve as the leader of the Uruk-hai. After Lurtz was killed by Aragorn at Amon Hen, Uglúk took command of the orc troops to match back up with the books. He proves to be well-disciplined and follows Saruman’s instruction to capture and deliver the hobbits, whom he believes carry an Elvish weapon.

On their way to Isengard, the Uruk-hai are cut off by a group of Mordor Orcs who demand that they release the Hobbits to them. The ensuing argument is put on hold due to a report of the smell of “man-flesh.”

Uglúk: “They are not for eating!”

Ugluk was included in a 2-pack for The Two Towers line with Pippin. He also came in a single card release during the fifth wave of TTT figures. I’m not sure there are any paint differences between the two releases, and he can easily serve as an army builder for a generic orc if needed. Ugluk comes with “Sword-Slashing and Whipping Action” and surprisingly blonde hair (not so noticeable in my moonlight picture here).

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Recommended music: Marvin Matyka – Bloody Mary (Remix)

Moving up this #TolkienThursday, we’ve got the ToyBiz Merry!

Like Pippin, Merry is first seen in The Two Towers hanging on the back of an Orc, making their way to Isengard. Pippin is concerned and alerts the Orcs when Merry appears unconscious:

“Pippin: “Merry! Merry! Wake up! My friend is sick! He needs water. Please!”

Mauhúr: “Sick is he? Give him some medicine, boys!”

[Uruks growl, then one pours a sticky red liquid into Merry’s mouth.]

[Merry chokes.]

Pippin: “Stop it!”

Mauhúr: “Can’t take his draught!”

It turns out to all be an act as Merry is trying to keep a low profile on their journey, as he’s already come to the conclusion that if he is questioned and found not to have the Ring of Power, his story may be ending quickly. Also, the “medicine” forced upon Merry in this scene may look like Jägermeister, but it’s actually some sort of grog-like beverage, picture rum and water, that is evil, but helps keep the Uruk-Hai energized for running all day and night.

This version of Merry was included in a 2-pack in the Fellowship of the Ring line with Pippin and a Moria Orc, then repacked again with Pippin for the last wave of FOTR figures.

This first version of Merry does a better job of looking like Dominic Monaghan than the Pippin figure does of looking like Billy Boyd. He features the same action figure as Pippin, with a button hidden under the cloak to move his arm and sword.

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Recommended music: R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People

Popping up this #TolkienThursday morning, it’s Pippin!

Following the capture of Merry and Pippin by the Uruk-Hai in the first film, we first see the hobbits in The Two Towers hanging on the backs of Orcs making their way to Isengard. When Pippin thinks that they are being tracked by Aragorn, he decides to leave a shiny clue behind in the form of his leaf brooch to assist his friends in following the trail. As his hands are bound, Pippin bites the brooch right off his elven cloak for Aragorn to discover. Though the placement of this scene varies a bit from the book, it works perfectly:

“Not idly do the leaves of  Lórien fall,’ said Aragorn.  ‘This did not drop by chance: it was cast away as a token to any that might follow.  I think Pippin ran away from the trail for that purpose.”

This version of Pippin actually came out as a 3-pack in the Fellowship of the Ring Line with Merry and a Moria Orc (technically,this was a 2-pack, but Hobbits are very small). The figure was then repacked in a 2-pack with just Merry for the last wave of FOTR figures, which had red packaging to transition into the upcoming red cards for The Two Towers. I’ve always displayed these two with my TTT figures, which is why I’m just including them now.

In my opinion, this first version of Pippin does not have a great likeness of actor Billy Boyd, and the sculpt is hampered by a button on the back that controls the action feature in the right arm. Thankfully, the button is well hidden when Pippin is wearing his cloak, which was gifted by the elves of Lórien.

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Recommended music: Howard Shore – My Precious

Tonight for #TolkienThursday, we’re moving on to The Two Towers. From the ToyBiz The Two Towers line, it’s Gollum!

During the opening scenes of The Two Towers, we finally get to see who has been lurking in the shadows, following the Fellowship since Moria. Tortured and wrought wretched by the lure of the One Ring, Gollum is a withered, piteous creature. Driven mad and twisted by his loss of the One Ring decades ago, he is compelled to haunt Middle-earth, searching everywhere for the only thing in the world he ever cared for, his “precious”.

This version of Gollum with Electronic Sound Base was the first Gollum figure released by ToyBiz. The figure came out in the fourth wave of figures from the film, as I believe they wanted to make sure the movie was already in wide release before revealing the full design for the character who was just seen in shadow for the past year in The Fellowship of the Ring. While the base was a neat inclusion, being able to play clear sound clips from the film (“My Precious,” etc.) as long as your batteries last.

The downside of this initial version of Gollum is the figure itself. While the sculpt and paint are top-notch like the rest of the line, the articulation is downright lousy. There are no proper joints, and the whole thing feels like a cheap, stiff Bend-Em. Thankfully, ToyBiz had further versions of the character in the works for further down the line.

#LOTR