Tag: ToyBiz

Recommended music: Howard Shore – The Black Gate is Closed

Rising in the east this #TolkienThursday, we’re taking a look at the ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Easterling!

In The Two Towers film, the depiction of these troops doesn’t stray too far from the books. Frodo, Gollum, and Sam come across an army of Easterling warriors entering the Black Gate. Despite trying to stay hidden, Samwise ends up falling down a hill of loose rocks near the troops. Fortunately, Frodo hides them both under his elvish cloak, which is disguised as a boulder. Though a pair of Easterlings notice the commotion and leave their formation to inspect the rocky area, they eventually return to their company and march into Mordor.

The Easterling “With Highly Detailed Armor” figure was available in the first wave of The Two Towers, packaged in the red half-moon, and hit stores ahead of the film’s November 2002 theatrical release. While an additional Easterling with a banner was planned for the line, the figure never reached retail.

The figure is a really solid sculpt with good detail on the armor. Unfortunately, the thin plastic on the shield has become brittle over the past 20 years, so you’ve got to be careful with these guys. The paint application is also thorough, with wear painted on the hood and subtle gold on his lance and shield. With ample articulation, my biggest criticism of this impressive army builder is probably the “bunny ears” on the helmet starting to warp. Unlike some other troops in the line, the scale is actually right on as the figure dwarfs the hobbits and stands eye to eye with soldiers from Gondor and Rohan.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

Recommended music: Kirin J Callinan – Big Enough

Showing up big time this #TolkienThursday, we’ve got a ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Shadowfax!

When The Two Towers begins, the fellowship is divided into three directions, and it appears Gandalf was lost as a result of his epic showdown with the mighty Balrog. When Gandalf returned from beyond hope to muster the forces of light, the wizard called upon the great stallion Shadowfax with a memorable whistle. Wild in spirit and temper, Shadowfax was considered untamable by anyone but Gandalf. The wizard rode bareback, clutching the silvery hair of the mount’s mane as no other horse in Middle-earth could equal the stallion’s grace and speed.

Shadowfax (with Gandalf the White) was available only in a Deluxe Horse and Rider Set. The Two Towers set was rereleased for The Return of the King in the blue ROTK packaging.

The Shadowfax figure is a solid sculpt and paint job, but there are some opportunities with the release. I had to give him a custom paint job with a brighter white paint and really could use a larger flowing mane, as the final product didn’t really match up with the shade seen on screen. He comes with a button to activate the “Deluxe Horse Galloping Action,” but the leg in the air makes him less stable on the shelf and unable to do neutral poses.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

Recommended music: Howard Shore – Gandalf the White

Going on this #TolkienThursday, we’ve got a ToyBiz The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Gandalf!

At the beginning of The Two Towers, it appeared Gandalf had passed permanently out of Middle-Earth following his epic duel with the mighty Balrog. When Gandalf returned from beyond hope to muster the forces of light, the wizard shed his previous gray identity and took up the title of Gandalf the White. From the stables of Rohan, Gandalf also took the great stallion Shadowfax. Wild in spirit and temper, Shadowfax was considered untamable by anyone but Gandalf. The wizard rode bareback, clutching the silvery hair of the mount’s mane as no other horse in Middle-Earth could match the stallion’s speed and grace.

This version of Gandalf the White came with Shadowfax in a Deluxe Horse and Rider Set. The set was rereleased for The Return of the King in the blue ROTK packaging, with no changes besides the film name. As Gandalf’s steed appears the same throughout much of the final film, there were no changes made to it.

It’s a really great-looking Gandalf figure and is a solid likeness of actor Sir Ian McKellen. The articulation is just average, with an action feature built into his right arm for the signature “Sword-Slashing Action” or staff slashing action for smacking Denethor. The rubbery legs help Gandalf stay on his steed and are almost completely covered up by his soft goods pants. There’s a cloth robe and a skirt piece made of some white leather-like material. I wish Toybiz had also included Gandalf’s gray outer cloak in this release, as pictured on the box, but it wasn’t included. Thankfully, ToyBiz had a few more versions of Gandalf the White on the way.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

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.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

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.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

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.😛

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

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.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR
#ToyPhotography

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.”

#LordOfTheRings
#LOTR