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12" Medicom Trinity

Jeff Parker, master of high end sixth scale, checks in with a review of the Medicom Trinity figure.  What's the scoop, Jeff?

Here at last is my Trinity review to accompany the Neo review from a couple of weeks ago. As you will see it's a figure of extremes, rating highly in some areas while barely scraping a star in others. I won't need to give you much opening blurb as I think I said pretty much everything for Neo. All I will say is if you think by looking at the photo that accompanied my last review that Trinity is as dynamic and poseable as the Neo figure you're in for a bit of a disappointment.....read on!





Packaging - **1/2
Nowhere near as impressive as the Neo box, this one has no flap and is a lot smaller, just a plain ol' window box. Admittedly it has the nice pearlescent finish with Matrix code streaming, and one could argue it shows the figure off a lot better on the shelf, especially for all you MIB'ers. But the overall lasting impression is one of 'could do better' especially as they 'did do better' on Neo.

Sculpting - ****
They have to get four stars all the way in this category. This is a beautiful face sculpt, one of the most elegant, simple and effortless (I'm sure it wasn't but when things are right they just look effortless) I've seen. It reminds me of the Eric So, Hot Toys 'James Dean' I reviewed a while ago. It's a different style of sculpt but manages to keep unfussy while capturing the look of the actor/actress. Like Neo she has a perfectly realised, to scale pair of sunglasses covering her eyes, these (again like Neo) are removable with extreme caution. If you thought getting Neo's off and on was tricky just wait till you try Trinity's. I did it once and won't be doing it again. The wire of the arms seems even thinner than on her companion's and the aperture of the hole they slot into is therefor obviously smaller. So a stiff drink, confidence, and a steady hand are the order of the day. She also comes with two sets of gloved hands, one pair to hold the pistols she comes with and the others in a flat relaxed position, both pairs are tightly sculpted and look terrific.

Paint - ***1/2
Like Neo a pretty basic paint job, but that's all that's needed as the tight, crisp sculpting on the hair means that any paint detailing would have over complicated something that was already fine. The painting on the eyes, eyebrows and mouth are also crisp and accurate. Simplicity and subtlety making for a much better effect. 

Articulation - *
Well, what can I say.......there she was doing sooooo well, then BLAM! This is about as poor as it gets. She basically has less articulation than a Barbie. Her head turns, her arms rotate at the shoulder as do her legs at the hip, and there's some movement in the feet to swivel the boots round in a circular motion. As she has two pairs of hands they move pretty freely like all Medicom 1/6 stuff but that is it! A real disappointment I was hoping for some great poses from this figure, and while she does look great on the shelf she's only ever gonna be pointing her guns or standing with her hands by her side. A real shame and a cop out by Medicom. I think the problem is twofold. Firstly, all the really articulated female Medicom bodies seem to be on the busty/hourglass side (as most are based on Manga/Anime heroines you'll know why) and secondly they've done such a great job on the skin-tight tailoring of her costume, articulation would have almost certainly been restricted anyway; they're the reasons, but they're not an excuse!

Outfit - ****
Like sculpting this demands a perfect score. An absolutely perfect scale realisation of the outfit worn in Revolutions, just look at the photos, they say it all. If I ever find a body that the head and hands attach to without the need for butchery this outfit will be put on the articulated body it deserves.

Accessories - **1/2
As I said above sunglasses, two pistols and an alternate set of hands, she also comes with the old faithful clear plastic stand. You'd have thought that a figure with such poor articulation would have been engineered not to need a stand. But if you want her in guns pointing mode you'll either have to spread the legs a little or use the stand to stop her toppling forwards. If it wasn't for the shades (as good, if not better than Neo's) she'd be a whole star lighter.

Fun Factor - *
Well if by fun we mean play value, she is left desperately lacking. I think Medicom realised they had a hot licence and that most people would want her as a companion to Neo for display, and just thought 'to hell with articulation' much to their detriment.

Value - **
As you can read in my Neo review, I bought this figure as part of a pair for $239.00, so I suppose Trinity was about $100.00 out of that. My rating might therefor seem a little high to some people, but the sculpting and outfit drag this figure kicking (I wish she could) and screaming up to two stars, a shame when it could have been so much better.

Overall - **1/2
This is a top quality figure let down by poor articulation, and in the 1/6 scale fabric dressed arena this is no longer good enough. Must try harder, see me after class!

SCORE RECAP:
Packaging - **1/2
Sculpt - ****
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - *
Outfit - ****
Accessories - **1/2
Fun Factor - *
Value - **
Overall - **1/2

Where to Buy:
Keep an eye on eBay, I just checked and two were up for sale. I've seen on line, as with Neo @ Popsalute.com for $120.88.

Related Links - 
Jeff reviewed the Medicom Neo awhile ago as well!


Figure from the collection of Jeff Parker.

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