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Packaging
- ***
Same as always. I'm hoping we see a packaging change for 2002.
I have nothing against the current boxes and cards, but change is good for
everyone.
Sculpt - ***1/2
It's Apu! If you have the Kwik-E-Mart, you've seen this head
sculpt. I find it really odd that the only way to get an Apu figure
so far is with a playset. Fortunately, both playsets he accompanies
are great.
There is one problem with this figure's
sculpt however. He is the first I have real problems with
standing! While some of the figures have been a bit top heavy, Apu's
legs are set in such a way that he doesn't stand well at all unless he's
on the base.
Paint - ***
The paint work is decent, although the pants and shirt aren't
perfect. There's some unevenness and overspray, although it's not
terrible.
The sticker looks good, but I would prefer
it painted on of course. I know that's asking a lot, but I'm still
asking.
Accessories - **
No too big of a surprise - we end up with a bowling ball and bowling bag,
just like Pin Pal Homer. Bigger surprise - we don't get anything
else. With only two accessories, this playset rivals the Android's
Dungeon for least number of extras. It does have some terrific
detail on the playset, but that doesn't make up for the lack of items.
Playset - ***1/2
The playset itself is well done with some nice touches. The scores
on the game show Apu in the lead, with poor Mr. Burns only having a
2. The colorful wall stickers look great, and the ball return can
hold everyone's bowling ball. The only complaint would be that the
three base pegs are awfully close together. I think it's going to
look extremely crowded once Burns joins the set.
The lines are great though - now we get to
hear the extra stuff that Homer has to say. Some of his lines
include "If horse racing is the sport of kings then surely bowling
is, uh, a very good sport as well", "Ah, c'mon. If we quit
now, we'll never know how badly they're going to beat us", "Woo
hoo! We won! We won!", "I'm ten pins away from
perfection!", and "oh, I'm tired of being a wanna-be league
bowler. I wanna be a league bowler!".
Apu also has plenty of classic lines,
including "At last, I finally have a garment fine enough to be
married in", "Oh forget this. I am far too fragile to
withstand an evening of barbs like that", "The Holy Rollers are
ahead by one pin and we only have one bowler left...Mr. Burns",
"Make this spare - I give you free Gelato!", "They begged
me to join their team - begged me!".
Even Lenny now has a decent home, at least
until Mr. Burns shows up. He says a few things, like "Wow - a
strike!", "Hey Homer, that's four strikes in a row. You
have a perfect game going.", and "Hey, spare me your gutter
mouth."
Articulation - **1/2
Five points - neck, shoulders, waist - same as always.
Value - ***
At twenty bucks, these are a great value. I think the playsets are
what make this line truly stand out, and I suspect that twenty years from
now folks will wish they had them all.
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