movies – Page 2 – Dale's Toys

Laser Turret (Hoth Battle Playset)

Recommended music: Tool – Forty Six & 2

For this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re on the icy plains of Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. From The Power of the Force Collection, it’s the Laser Turret!

EXT. HOTH – ICE PLAIN – POWER GENERATORS

Near the base power generators, troops rush to set up their heavy battle equipment. Buzzing loudly, the generators send along, sparking fingers of energy into the bitter Hoth wind.
…

While I have previously mentioned the underscaled power generators, a rotating laser turret was also included with the ‘Hoth Battle’ playset during The Power of the Force 2, a call-back to the vintage Kenner Empire Strikes Back line. Though the turret also appears to be too small, it works to add variety to your Hoth diorama. The part of the playset that is most accurately sized for 1/18th-scale action figures is the included trench. The turret has both a side door and a top hatch for simple features, and a slider that extends a fake flame in place of a projectile-firing action feature.

I have to believe the $15 retail for this set seemed like a great value when it was released in 1997, but I’m sure glad Hasbro has continued to put out updated versions of these scene accessories over the years that are more accurately scaled. Now, it would be nice for them to make new playsets, or at least diorama pieces of some Echo Base interior scenes.

The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EmpireStrikesBack45
#ESB45
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Luke Skywalker’s Tauntaun

Recommended music: TAUNTAUN – For The Lost (Skip to track 7 below)

For this #StarWarsSaturday post from the archives, I originally ventured out to my snowy backyard to bring you this beast. From the Hasbro Star Wars Power of the Force 2 Collection, it’s Luke Skywalker’s Tauntaun!

Just moments after the opening scene of The Empire Strikes Back:

EXT. PLAIN OF HOTH – DAY

A small figure gallops across the windswept ice slope. The bundled
rider is mounted on a large gray snow lizard, a Tauntaun. Curving
plumes of snow rise from beneath the speeding paws of the two-legged
beast.

The rider gallops up a slope and reins his lizard to a stop. Pulling
off his protective goggles, Luke Skywalker notices something in the
sky. He takes a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility belt and ,
through them, sees smoke rising from where the probe robot has crashed.

The wind whips at Luke’s fur-lined cap, and he activates a comlink
transmitter. His Tauntaun shifts and moans nervously beneath him.

…

This creature received an update here for the first time since 1980, with not only an upgrade in sculpt and paint but also an action feature: a press of his saddlebag would result in “realistic running action.”

I always liked this shot in the film. It resembled Ralph McQuarrie’s “winterized lizard” concept and showed off the detail on set. This went beyond just the miniature used in the preceding shots of the tauntaun. Luke’s tauntaun with the broken horn received another update about 15 years later, but I skipped that release in favor of tauntauns with two full-size horns. 😛

The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EmpireStrikesBack45
#ESB45
#ToyPhotography

Legolas with Horse

Recommended music: Howard Shore – The Wolves of Isengard

On this #TolkienThursday, let’s go take a look at a ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings Return of the King Legolas!

Although the Fellowship that departed from Rivendell was reduced to three members, the bond of friendship among them remained strong. In the face of significant danger, Legolas and Gimli demonstrated steadfast loyalty. Wherever their companion and leader traveled, both the Elf and the Dwarf accompanied him. When Aragorn fought on horseback, Legolas and Gimli also fought alongside him, using sword, bow, arrow, and axe in coordinated efforts.

ToyBiz released this Legolas figure (featuring Dagger-Slashing Action) as part of a deluxe horse-and-rider set, which includes his horse, though the horse is unnamed on the packaging. This is the only horse set to feature a Legolas figure. Although the packaging identifies it as part of the Return of the King line, I have always chosen to display this pair with my figures from The Two Towers. The epic maneuver by Legolas to mount his horse when the Warg-riders ambush the Edoras refugees on their way to Helm’s Deep is unforgettable cinema.

While the figure’s nickname matches a Legolas from the Fellowship line due to its action feature, this version appears to be a completely new sculpt. The head, arms, oversized quiver, and rubbery, flexible legs indicate that it is more than a simple repaint. The addition of a soft-goods cape and skirt really makes the figure look great on horseback.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

Laser Turret (Battle of Hoth)

Recommended music: Angus McSix – Laser-Shooting Dinosaur

For this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re on the icy plains of Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. From The 30th Anniversary Collection, it’s the Laser Turret!

EXT. HOTH – ICE PLAIN – SNOW TRENCH – DAY

Rebel troops carry heavy bazooka-type weapons and position them along the snow trench. Men hurriedly respond to their officers’ yelled orders and brace themselves against the rhythmic gusts of bitter-cold wind.

Other troops load power packs into a gun turret and swing its guns into position.

…

While only getting that lone mention in the script, the laser turrets are an iconic fixture on the snowy landscape during the Battle of Hoth. In the vintage Kenner toy line, a rotating turret was included in the ‘Turret & Probot Playset,’ with another one included in the ‘Hoth Battle’ playset during The Power of the Force 2.

Hasbro included this laser turret in the ‘Battle of Hoth Ultimate Battle Pack’ in 2007. The Target exclusive set also came with eight figures and an AT-ST, all for just $49. While the action figures and AT-ST were all either kitbashes of previous figures or slight repaints, the laser turret is all-new.

While similar to the POTF2 version from a decade earlier, it is scaled up and much more accurate to the weapon seen on-screen. Not only is it large enough for a figure to stand on the platform for the opening top hatch, but other troops can also use the opening door to stand inside at the same time. The inclusion of a firing projectile is a nice play feature, and the slightly damaged and worn paint deco is a great look.

From the Archives: Probe Droid

Recommended music: Jango Kett – Probe Droid

For this #StarWarsSaturday post from the archives, I originally ventured out to my backyard, amidst temperatures in the low teens and snow falling, to bring you this figure. From the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection, it’s the Probe Droid!

From the opening scene of The Empire Strikes Back, the viewer immediately knows they’re in for something visually different from the original Star Wars after the crawl:

EXT. GALAXY – PLANET HOTH

A Star Destroyer moves through space, releasing Imperial probe robots
from its underside.

One of these probes zooms toward the planet Hoth and lands on its ice-
covered surface. An explosion marks the point of
impact.

EXT. HOTH – METEORITE CRATER – SNOW PLAIN – DAY

A weird mechanical sound rises above the whining of the wind. A
strange probe robot, with several extended sensors, emerges from the
smoke-shrouded crater. The ominous mechanical probe floats across the
snow plain and disappears into the distance.

…

This silver repaint with snow highlights is a big upgrade for the sculpt originally used for the POTF2 Probe Droid back in 1997. The droid was available in the “Hoth Recon Patrol” 5-pack, which also included Han, Chewbacca, K-3PO, and R5-M2. It has some action figures for a projectile launch, a head that pops off, and movable limbs. There has been a newer 3.75” probot released a few years ago in a 2-pack with Darth Vader, but the style and black paint job don’t seem to match The Empire Strikes Back like this one.

The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EmpireStrikesBack45
#ESB45
#ToyPhotography

Gamling

Recommended music: The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter

Take a gamble this #TolkienThursday as we’re taking a look at the ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Gamling!

The warrior Gamling was a loyal soldier of Rohan and a member of King Theoden’s royal guard. During the Battle of Helm’s Deep, Gamling is seen nearby Theoden in multiple scenes, acting as his primary bodyguard. Gamling is experienced with both a lance and a sword, which was useful not just for defending Helm’s Deep, but was also valuable during the years of defending Rohan from both Orcs and Wildmen. Both The Two Towers film and Return of the King change up Gamling’s role a bit as the character becomes an amalgamation of multiple book characters, and doesn’t fight on either the Deeping Wall or in the Glittering Caves as he did in the book.

This Gamling “In Rohan Armor with Weapons” figure was released in the third wave of Trilogy carded series figures for The Two Towers in 2003. Contrary to the packaging name, the figure only comes with a sword and sheath, omitting the lance and shield seen with other Rohan figure releases.

The sculpt and paint are detailed as expected, but the head could be any old man of Rohan and doesn’t bear a great likeness to New Zealand actor Bruce Hopkins, who played Gamling. In fact, I’ve got one normal picture of Gamling here in a scene where he’s telling everyone they are abandoning their home to shelter at Helm’s Deep, and there is a cool board head fountain in the foreground. I also have a second picture that is more how I’ve had Gamling displayed for years, ready for battle with a borrowed Rohan helmet, lance, and shield, and not just holding Theoden’s armor as he can get dressed on his own.😄

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder

Recommended music: REO Speedwagon – Time for Me To Fly

For this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re still flying above the icy plains of Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. From the Shadow Of The Dark Side line, it’s Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder!

EXT. HOTH – ICE PLAIN – BATTLEFIELD

The cannons mounted on the walker head fire at the speeders. Other
walkers loom in the background. Two speeders race away past two of the
enormous walkers and bank to the right.

INT. LUKE’S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER – COCKPIT

LUKE
All right, I’m coming in.

He turns his speeder and heads directly at one of the walkers, flying
toward its towering legs. The horizon twists as the speeder banks
between the legs.

LUKE
(into comlink)
Hobbie, you still with me?

…

The Star Wars Shadow Of The Dark Side toy line made it’s debut on store shelves in August of 2010, in tandem with the start of The Vintage Collection. Though this line lasted only three years, it featured some excellent new releases, including Luke’s Snowspeeder.

Luke previously came with a snowspeeder in 2002 as part of the Power of the Jedi line. That release still used the mold from the Power of the Force 2 release from 1995, with the electronics removed, and has an oversized cockpit so your figures appear loose inside. Also, the POTJ version had a weathered paint job that I never really cared for.

This upgraded SOTDS version is an all-new mold, with a more accurate size for your 1/18 scale battles. Hasbro also added in landing gear and flaps that can be adjusted manually, and included two harpoon and laser cannon options (one of each actually shoots). The paint deco is “clean,” which gives you the option to weather it as desired, but the ship looks fine to me without any painted-on damage if it’s going to be flying around Hoth.

The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EmpireStrikesBack45
#ESB45
#ToyPhotography

Faramir

Recommended music: Elvis Presley – Take Me To The Fair

Fair enough, #TolkienThursday is back. Today, we’re taking a look at the ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Faramir!

Captain of the Gondorian Rangers, Faramir was the youngest son of Lord Denethor, Steward of Gondor. Faramir was also Boromir’s brother, who had perished defending Merry and Pippin, unknown to Frodo and Sam when they first met. “It would grieve you then, to learn that he is dead?” Unlike his brother, Faramir was not beloved by his father and spent many years as a ranger, scouting and protecting the wild borderlands of Gondor in hopes of earning his father’s affection.

This “Sword-Wielding” Faramir figure was released in the first wave of half-moon packaged figures for The Two Towers, ahead of the film’s theatrical release.

The sculpt and paint are excellent, and the head bears a decent likeness to Faramir actor David Wenham. Like the Gondorian Ranger figure, a removable hood would have gone a long way for display options. Fortunately, ToyBiz did include his sword, an impressive five arrows, and his long bow. In addition to the button hidden on his back for his swordplay action feature, Faramir can really launch the arrows with a pull of the bow string.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

Luke Skywalker (Battle of Hoth)

Recommended music: David Bowie – Heroes

For this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re flying above the icy plains of Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. From The 30th Anniversary Collection, it’s Luke Skywalker!

Rebel troops aim their weapons at the horizon, awaiting Imperial troops, while a dozen snowspeeders fly through the sky…

INT. LUKE’S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER – COCKPIT

LUKE
(into comlink)
Echo station Five-Seven. We’re
on our way.

EXT. HOTH – ICE PLAIN – BATTLEFIELD

The fleet of snowspeeders races above the ice field at full throttle.
They accelerate away from the base and head toward the distant walkers.

INT. LUKE’S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER – COCKPIT

LUKE
(into comlink)
All right, boys, keep tight now.

DACK
Luke, I have no approach vector.
I’m not set.

LUKE
Steady, Dack. Attack pattern
delta. Go now!

…

Hasbro included this ‘Battle of Hoth’ Luke figure in an ‘Ultimate Battle Pack’ in 2007. The Target exclusive set came with eight figures, a laser turret, and an AT-ST, all for $49. This seems like an incredible value when looking at today’s new toy prices. The Luke figure is a kit-bash using the body from the 2006 The Saga Collection Zev Senesca, and the head from the VOTC Luke that came out in 2004. The helmet is easy to remove from the reused head on the ball-jointed neck.

The chest box, harness, and cable are not removable, and the figure sports just nine points of articulation. However, Luke fits just fine in his snowspeeder, which was released three years later. This Hoth Luke also received updates in 2009, 2011, and 2012, which added more articulation and a flight cap, but I like this one best due to the detailed weathering on the helmet and flightsuit. The dirtied-up look fits very closely with what we see in the film. Also, this Luke came with something else the later editions missed – Obi-Wan’s lightsaber. I’m not sure why Hasbro didn’t pack in Luke’s weapon as seen in the film, but it’s a funny add-on.

The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EmpireStrikesBack45
#ESB45
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Spirit of Splinter (1990 film)

Recommended music: Yamato Ensemble – Yamaji

Also, on this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’re looking at the NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Spirit of Splinter!

This version of Master Splinter is based on his look in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 live-action film. He is likely the rarest piece in my TMNT collection, as the figure was a Loot Crate subscription exclusive, and NECA really knocked the ball out of the park with this release. Splinter has some transparent parts, a shimmering robe, a light-up campfire, and even some marshmallows, both in a bag and on a stick, as accessories.

While the character has nothing to do with Christmas, I thought it would be a good time to share him as Splinter appears in “spirit form” to the turtles in the film after he has been kidnapped by the Foot Clan and they have retreated to April’s family farm on the outskirts of the city.

[Since the time of this original post, NECA has repacked this version of Splinter in a 5-pack with the turtles. While he is no longer an “exclusive” figure, he is still a favorite of mine from the line.]

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Foot Soldier (Secret of the Ooze)

Recommended music: “Weird Al” Yankovic – Eat It

For this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’re taking a look at one last NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foot Soldier!

This version of the Foot Soldier is based on his look in the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze. While this movie’s foot soldier is nearly identical to the earlier releases, he has a slightly larger torso piece. Technically, you could refer to him by the figure’s nickname of “the fat foot.” However, it’s honestly a minimal difference from the previously released ninjas. Also, he is painted in the same black tone as the figures from the first movie, and not the slightly grayer/brown repaint from the SOTS Foot Soldier 2-pack. Speaking of two-packs, this big guy is only available in a 2-pack with Keno. This is annoying to me, as he’s a great army builder for the line.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

Gondorian Ranger

Recommended music: Matchbox Twenty – If You’re Gone

We’re not going gonzo this #TolkienThursday, but we are taking a look at the ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Gondorian Ranger!

Under their Captain Faramir, the Gondorian Rangers patrolled the narrow wilds between the lands of Gondor and Mordor. Faramir’s men were skilled in woodcraft and knew all the secret ways and places of their realm. None could pass through Ithilien without their knowledge, and many servants of the enemy (both Haradrim and Orcs) met their doom at the point of Gondorian arrows and spears without ever knowing they were being watched.

This Gondorian Ranger “Outfitted with Weapons” figure was released in the first wave of half-moon packaged figures for The Two Towers, ahead of the film’s release. I’m not sure why ToyBiz thought to include him in Series 1 with the Easterling army builder and three main characters from the film. He doesn’t work great as an army builder himself, as there is no great alternate way to display the figure. Including an alternate head or a soft goods hood or mask would have helped sell many more of this peg warmer.

The sculpt and paint are solid, but he’s just a generic Ranger, and the “Outfitted with Weapons” moniker is very misleading. The figure does not come with the pictured bow, only packed with a single sword (and a sheath to store it in). The open left hand and closed quiver make it very difficult for this character to be an archer. Again, the inclusion of a bow, arrows, and an open quiver would have really gone a long way for this figure. Fortunately, Toybiz did include these accessories with Faramir and the eventual release of the Gondorian Swordsman.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

Rahzar (Secret of the Ooze)

Recommended music: Laga Gaga – Bad Romance

Roaring ahead this #TurtleTuesday, we’re taking a look at the NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Rahzar!

While Rahzar, the mutant gray wolf, has appeared in many different TMNT comic series, toy lines, and three different Turtles animated series, he made his debut in the 1991 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze.

In the movie, the limited dialogue from the character was provided by the one and only Frank Welker, who you may also know as the voice of many animated characters, including Megatron, Ray Stantz, Scooby Doo, Slimer, and Soundwave, among others. Though his role in SOTS, voicing both Rahzar and Tokka, came about due to the exclusion of two other cartoon characters – Bebop and Rocksteady.

You see, Bebop and Rocksteady were originally created by Peter Laird and David Wise for the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series and to expand the Playmates toy line. Since they were not a part of Kevin Eastman and Laird’s original comics, Golden Harvest/Mirage did not have the rights to the henchman characters for the live-action films. Rather than go through additional legal licensing, the filmmakers came up with replacement mutants in the form of Tokka and Rahzar.

For the NECA toy line, Rahzar wisely came in a 2-pack with Tokka, as they were the first Secret of the Ooze figures in the line. Rahzar stands over eight inches tall, has over 30 points of articulation (including jaw), and features a detailed sculpt with great paint application.

The duo also comes with a pile of accessories accurate to the second live-action film. These include an extra pair of hands, a fire extinguisher, a mutagen canister, a pipe, a hubcap shield, a wooden beam, and most importantly, a box of donuts! That last accessory allows you to “observe the ancient ritual of the … traditional pre-fight donut.” 😜

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography

Eowyn

Recommended music: Howard Shore – Exit From Edoras

Ay yo there, Ringers! This #TolkienThursday, we’re taking a look at the ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings Return of the King Eowyn!

The niece of King Theoden, Lady Eowyn of Rohan, is both beautiful and strong. Despite her noble blood, Eowyn is not one to shy from combat. Adept with both a sword and shield, the Lady is quite capable of defending herself. When the men of Rohan leave to do battle in defense of their realm, Eowyn longs to be allowed to take up arms herself and join them, though her gender and office forbade it.

While this Eowyn “with Sword Attack Action” figure was technically released in the third wave of half moon packaged figures for Return of the King, I’ve always displayed it with my display from The Two Towers. Pressing the button on her back causes the right arm to strike down, which matches right up with this specific outfit and scene that takes place in Edoras. That’s right, just halfway through The Two Towers, before the departure to Helm’s Deep.

Unfortunately, this Eowyn figure does not have the strongest likeness to Australian actress Miranda Otto compared to other figures in the line. I do think ToyBiz nailed the sculpt for the rest of the figure, and I appreciate this color scheme being included in the line. We’ll get to the updated version sometime next year. 👍

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

King Theoden

Recommended music: Howard Shore – The King’s Decision

Happy #TolkienThursday, Ringers! It’s almost the weekend! Today, we’re looking at the ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers King Theoden!

Monarch of the land of Rohan, King Theoden was a courageous leader and soldier til the end. Saruman used the cunning machinations of his servant, Grima Wormtongue, to subvert and poison Theoden’s mind. This act temporarily plunged Rohan into darkness and despair. Nevertheless, through Gandalf’s intervention, Theoden was freed from Saruman’s influence. Restored to health and soundness of spirit, the King banished Wormtongue from his hall and once again led his people. With wisdom and bravery, Théoden decides to leave the Golden Hall to take his people to the refuge of Helm’s Deep, a fortress that has saved Rohan in the past.

The Toybiz King Théoden “with Sword Attack Action” figure was released in the second wave of half moon packaged figures for The Two Towers, close to the film’s theatrical release. Pressing the button on his back causes the right arm to strike down, which is an oversight as Theoden is left-handed and really only uses his right arm for his sword when leading the “Ride of the Rohirrim,” which occurs during The Return of the King. Toybiz did manage to accurately attach his scabbard to his right side.

The figure bears an incredibly accurate likeness to the Theoden actor Bernard Hill. The face also reminds me of a bearded version of fellow Titanic actor Victor Garber, but the point is that the sculpt and paint are great. The vinyl cape is helpful in case you want to put Theoden on a horse, but I’m just glad Toybiz released the character in this costume as it appears in several scenes following Theodred’s funeral and before the Battle of Helm’s Deep.

[Pay no attention to an upside-down Legolas casually mounting his horse in the picture.] 😄

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography