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Packaging - ***
The package is the usual box, including a nice little window. You know
I like the window, even though most folks will be buying these online.
There's also the usual nifty Certificate of Authenticity done up in baseball
card style.
Sculpting - **1/2
So who was this supposed to be again? Oh yes, from the photo on the
front of the box I can see it's supposed to be Tonks. But this head
sculpt ain't her.
The only thing saving this sculpting score from going lower is the detail
work on the body. There's some really nice work on the clothing,
buttons, and even now standard rock-like base. They did a decent job
on her choker (although the bells/balls are a little oversized), and the
clothing is all quite realistic.
The face sculpt is also more attractive than some of the Gentle Giant
ladies of the past. But the face is too thin, as is the nose, and the
eyes and eyebrows are much, much too close together. In fact, the head
and jaw itself might be about the right shape if the eyes weren't so close
together, making it appear even thinner than it is.
Paint - **1/2
Another let down, and another score saved from an even worse fate by the
work below the neck. There's no slop on her outfit, and the small
details are clean and neat, with fairly sharp cut lines.
Unfortunately, the work on the face and hair brings things down.
The eyebrows have enough issues due to the sculpting, but the paint makes
them look like huge caterpillars stuck to her forehead. Even Brooke
Shields has thinner eyebrows these days.
The hair has varied from the original prototype from very white to very
blue to a much more pink color in the final production bust. There's
still some blue here and there, but the lighter color show both on the photo
of the character, and on the early prototypes is gone. The hair is
much darker, and doesn't do a whole lot for me.
Design - **
Perhaps the sculpt and paint issues would have bothered me less if they'd
done something a bit more interesting with the bust overall.
The pose is very languid, too much so. She looks like she's
conducting a rather dull instrumental while thinking about making a peanut
butter sandwich.
Then there's the hair, sculpt with strands flowing out in a very dynamic
way. But the figure itself has no movement implied, with the slightest
tilt to her head, her upper body straight, and her arm posed in a holding
stance. The hair and body pose simply don't match up.
Value - **1/2
As bad as the sculpt and paint might be, at least they stuck with the usual
price point. With prices going up on most stuff, I'm glad to see these
staying about the same. Let's hope it stays that way.
Things to Watch Out For -
I'd be careful mucking around too much with a bent wand. Sometimes
there's enough pewter used in smaller items like this on busts to allow you
to bend them a bit, but it feels to me like a little pressure will snap the
wand. Best to leave this one alone and live with it.
Overall - **1/2
I don't get it. How can GG do such wonderful work on some of the Harry
Potter busts, and then stink up others? Unfortunately, it seems to be
the ladies that end up getting bashed with the ugly stick, although I'm
betting they nail McGonagall. And that sounds just so wrong.
Score Recap:
Packaging - ***
Sculpt - **1/2
Paint - **1/2
Design - **
Value - **1/2
Overall - **1/2
Where to Buy -
Online options are probably going to be your best best:
- Dark Shadow
Collectibles has her listed at $42.
- Fireside Collectibles
has her listed at $40.
- Urban Collector has him
at $45.
- Things from Another World has
her for about $45.
- or you can search ebay using MyAuctionLinks.
- Related Links -
I have no shortage of Harry Potter reviews:
- The most recent was the third series of
Harry Potter OOTP figures from NECA.
- There are the 3 3/4" figures that are the
UK exclusive from Cards Inc, or if the US collectors want an alternative in this scale, check the small versions of the NECA
OOTP figures, exclusive to Borders in a three pack right now.
- there was the guest review of the Tonner
dolls.
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