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Sculpting -****
If you were expecting resin, polyresin, or something similar, you'll be
surprised to find out that the environment is made from a hard plastic,
molded with a hollow inside. This makes it much lighter weight than it
would have been otherwise, but may also not feel as 'realistic' as you
might have expected.
However, it does nothing to
reduce the fine detailing of the sculpt, or the realistic look of the
textured stone surface. The carved patterns are very film accurate,
and have a depth and sharpness to look fantastic at this scale.
The moss is also quite well
done, although on close up photos it might look a little soft. The
reality is that in person under normal light, it looks just like
hanging moss on the rough stone, and there's just enough to give the
base added visual flair. It looks like there isn't quite as much as
there was in the movie, but there's certainly enough for my personal
tastes. Too much and it ends up looking like a planter.
The scale is excellent as well,
with the base standing just under 7 inches tall without the idol on
top.
It works great with the Sideshow Indy, but it will work fine with the
Medicom or Hasbro versions as well.
There's an extra hunk of floor
that can be placed on any side of the tower, to extend the base as
needed. This extension is actually made from polystone, and is very
solid and heavy. Even with the difference in material, it matches in
color and texture perfectly.
The idol itself is made from
solid metal, painted bright gold, looking very, very much like it's on
screen counterpart. I've included a shot of this idol with the one that
came with Indy for size and sculpt comparison. In the photo below, the
idol on the left is the metal one that comes with the environment,
while the brighter one on the right is the plastic version that comes
with Indy. To me, it's clear how much better looking the actual metal
version is. Obviously, Indy can't
hold this one in his hands, as it's much too heavy, but it looks
fantastic on the pedestal.
Paint - ***1/2
The paint provides a very realistic look to the beautiful textured
surface. The hanging moss is given enough variation in color to
simulate the actual thing, and the stone surface has subtle variations
in color as well, making it appear much like we expect worn columns and
pillars in ancient ruins to look.
Design/Quality - ***
At $60, I was hoping for a be more resin, a bit less plastic, and the
hollow construction requires that there is at least one small hole in
the side of the pillar. I've seen some where this was VERY obvious, but
I was one of the lucky ones, and mine is fairly well hidden.
At this cost, I also think that
extending the entire base out as far as the single extension would have
made sense.
Fun Factor - ***
Hey, I loved having sets and dioramas to use with my figures as a kid -
who wouldn't? Every kid recognizes this key moment, AND it's a moment
of tremendous action potential. Not all you need is a big foam rock!
Value - **
The only (normal) way to get this environment is to buy it with the
Belloq. You can actually do that right now because it's on second
chance opportunity. The figure and base cost $140, while the
figure by itself costs $80. You'd assume therefore that the cost of the
base is $60.
I'm
giving the environment two stars for value. Sixty bucks is a pretty
good chunk of change, particularly for a hollow plastic item like this.
A number of folks have commented on the annoying hole in one side of
the
sculpt, necessary for this kind of manufacture, and the hollow nature
makes it a tougher sell in general.
Still, it's a nice diorama
piece, and it really only feels about ten bucks too high. However,
let's be honest here - nobody is going to give you $80 for the Belloq
figure. Not even Paul Freeman's mom*. So while you're *technically*
only paying $60 for it, you're really paying around $80, which is
clearly too expensive.
*Paul Freeman is the actor that
played
Belloq. Jokes are never as funny when you have to explain them, but
since 90% of my readers are brilliant, obviously, that's usually not a
problem.
Things To Watch Out For
-
The idol is not held in
place by any sort of magnet (something you might assume based on
Sideshow's past history), so he falls off pretty easily. Take it into
consideration when you're moving the environment. I've heard others say
that theirs DOES have a magnet - mine does not, so it's something to
pay attention to.
Overall - ***1/2
I'm extremely happy with the Idol Environment, and it will look
fantastic with any Indiana Jones sixth scale figure you decide to pair
it up with.
It's only real flaw of any major
concern is that it comes packed with Belloq, a figure you may very well
have little or no interest in. Unloading Belloq is pretty unlikely, at
least for the price you're hoping for, so if you don't want him,
getting this environment is going to be a tough sell.
Score Recap:
Packaging - *1/2
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ***1/2
Design/Quality - ***
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - ***1/2
Where to Buy -
- Sideshow has the regular on wait list, but the
exclusive with this VERY cool environment is on second chance right now.
- or you can search ebay using
the sponsor MyAuctionLinks.
Related Links -
As I mentioned, I covered the Belloq that comes with
the environment just last week. Also check out the review of the Sideshow Indy, which I
used in the photos of the environment.
Discussion:
Want to chat about this review? Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be
discussing it!
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