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Packaging - **1/2
This is an odd box - sure, there's lots of times that the toy isn't really
designed to be taken out of the package, or the package is designed to
accentuate the toy. But rarely is the package designed to be part of
the action. Here we have Harry printed on the front of the box, in
just the right spot to appear as though Hagrid is giving him Hedwig.
Unfortunately, once you take it out of the package you lose this cool
feature. The other problem with this package is that they used two twist
ties on Hagrid's arms, connecting him to the back of the package.
The problem with that is it required putting holes through the very cool
background. This wasn't necessary in any way because a) his arms
don't move and b) he's attached to the base with screws. The two
twisties attached to his arms are a complete waste, and end up damaging an
otherwise great background. Articulation - Bupkis
Look! There are joints at the waist, legs and shoulders!
Surprise! They don't turn! Now maybe they are suppose to, but I
twisted these bad boys almost to the breaking point and they didn't
budge. This is a plastic statue, pure and simple. Accessories -
**1/2
I'm counting Hedwig, and the base as accessories. The owl is
terrific, very well sculpted. And the base is ultra cool - in the
package, the background looks cheap, but once you open it up you'll find
that it's actually made of pliable plastic, and is embossed with various
parts of the store fronts. Hey Playmates - this is what you should
have used for the Treehouse of Horror playset! Sculpting -
***1/2
For me, this looks adequately like Hagrid. The sculpting is
extremely good, and the attention to detail great. This is one big,
mofo, but he still conveys the simple kindness you expect. Paint - ***1/2
No problems with the paint ops, although there isn't really anything too
fancy or tiny going on. They've used pretty basic colors, and the
detail isn't too extreme. Value - *
It's natural to compare this to a Simpsons playset. They are about
the same size, for starters, and the price point is about the same.
But a Simpsons playset comes with accessories, and plays the various
voices. Here, there's little extra value beyond a big Hagrid on a
base. Twenty bucks is definitely overpriced. Overall - **
This guy looks quite a bit better out of the package than in, but I was
tremendously disappointed in his lack of articulation. At this price
I expect a lot more, and I realize that Harry Potter is all the rage, but
that doesn't mean you can charge any price and get away with it.
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