Review of Ceratosaurus Harryhausen Statue
One Million Years B.C.

Introduction

Star Ace has been producing some great vinyl statues based on the Harryhausen claymation dinosaurs from One Million Years B.C. Oh, sure, they've included the humans too, but it's the dinosaurs you've come to see.

For the more traditional statue fans, they also have several of them done in polystone. They are a little more expensive, but have the heft and sculpting detail you expect with this material.

I'm checking out the Ceratosaurus tonight. This is the big guy that kills the Triceratops, then gets in a battle with another of his own kind over the carcass. This large statue - about 12" tall by 14" long - will run you around $315 or so, depending on the retailer.

And just an FYI - some of these Harryhausen vinyl/resin statues will have the Star Ace logo (as does this one), while others will be from X-Plus. X-Plus is actually the parent company of Star Ace.

Packaging - ***
The large box has attractive graphics and, as you'd expect with a statue, is very collector friendly. I've seen some sites say this is a limited edition of 800, but I didn't see any numbering on the box or base.

Sculpting - ****
As I mentioned earlier, this is a big guy, standing about 12 1/2" tall, and just over 14" long. Unlike the vinyl versions, he's quite heavy, thanks to the amount of polystone involved.

This material makes deep cuts and sharp detail possible. The skin texture is amazing, and the bony bits, like the teeth or the horn, have a smoother surface, making for a very realistic contrast. The pose works great, with a very dynamic appearance, and the statue stands nicely on its own.

This version also includes figures of both Tumok and Loana. These are 'scaled' figures, not in scale with the dinosaurs but much smaller. The figures you would have gotten with the earlier releases were in a scale with the dinosaurs, perfect for posing next to them in battle. But the two humans weren't close to the Ceratosaurus on screen, rather they watched the battle from a distance, hidden in a cave outcropping. They designed these two figures so you could recreate that same look with your display.

Paint - ****
The paint work supports the terrific sculpting, and creates not just a realistic look, but a look that matches the on screen appearance extremely well.

While the harsh hide has a nice wash to bring out the texture and a good transition between the various skin colors, it's really the mouth and teeth that push this score up for me. The wet appearance, along with the variation from the darker color near the base of the teeth and horn and the whiter tip, make these areas really stand out in this category.

The small detail work on the figures is good too. Remember, these guys are only about 2" tall, making the edging on the fur bikini all the more impressive.

Articulation - N/A
Not a score that counts, but rather a simple FYI. This is a statue in the truest sense, and there is no articulation of any kind.

Accessories - ***
I'm counting the base and figures as accessories here, since you're really buying this for the Ceratosaurus.

The base is a nice size, well sculpted and just as heavy as the dino. It has a little cave or two, and some flat areas, perfect for setting the included figures.

Making the two figures smaller was smart, since fans probably already have both in the right scale as part of their purchases of the other dinosaurs. This way you can create a different look in the display.

Fun Factor - ***
Generally, there isn't a 'fun factor' category for a statue. But because of the inclusion of the smaller figures, and the compatibility of this statue with the others in the series, you do have quite a bit more potential of creating a display that's a bit more personalized.

Value - **
Some collectors may have found the price tag on the vinyl figures tough to take, but will be happier with the polystone statue. Around $300 or so is not at all an unusual price tag for a statue in this scale and quality, and I suspect there will be fewer complaints in this area.

Even with the higher price tag, the vinyl versions have been selling out at most retailers, and I expect the fact these are well done Harryhausen collectibles has a lot to do with that.

Things to Watch Out For -
Nothing out of the ordinary. Of course, unlike their vinyl cousins, bump this guy's toe or claw on the table and you'll be sad. But other than the normal potential for breakage with any polyresin statue, you should be good to go.

Overall - ***1/2
This series, both vinyl and polyresin, are terrific. Doing both means you can get great quality at a little cheaper price, or you can get a more traditional style statue - whatever your preference. And you can mix and match, as they are maintaining a pretty reasonable scale. The next photo shows the polystone Ceratosaurus with the vinyl Triceratops and Allosaurus.

Fans of the claymation style and the work of Harryhausen should be particularly happy, and the series covers quite a few of his creatures. Be sure to check out the retailers in the Where to Buy to see some of the other offerings that are up for pre-order.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ****
Articulation - N/A
Accessories - ***
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - ***1/2

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth doesn't have the Ceratosaurus, but they have a number of others, both vinyl and polystone, all with free shippping.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I've also checked out a couple of their vinyl statues from this film, including the Triceratops, and the Allosaurus.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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