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Review of Odin sixth scale figure - Thor Movie Version

Hot Toys
Date Published:
Written By:
Overall Average Rating: 3.5 out of 4

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Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Introduction

If you've been wondering whether I've seen the new movie Thor since I reviewed the first figure released by Hot Toys about a week ago, the answer is sadly no. How I can live with myself, I'm not quite sure.

Until I do get the chance to see it, the figures will have to stand on their own. Odin is the second release, and while there's been no additional announcements for this particular Marvel film, we know we'll end up with an Avengers costumed Thor as well once that movie makes it to theaters.

These figures are a bit over mid-point for a usual Hot Toys release, coming in closer to $170 than $150. They are both shipping right now to retailers, but many pre-sold out of one or both, so I'd suggest picking them up sooner rather than later if you have such intentions. With the popularity of the movie, these are likely to dry up pretty quick.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Packaging - ****
The package style matches the previous Thor box, with a simple yet effective shoe box style lid. Unlike a shoe box though, these are very thick and heavy, ensuring they will tolerate removing and replacing the figure many times.

Inside is a cool printed paper cover that wraps over the top plastic covers. Underneath is the usual trays containing the figure, accessories and staff.

Everything is collector friendly of course, just like always, and there are plastic bags on the hands and feet to avoid any paint rubs or damage.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Sculpting - ***1/2
The first thing that grabs anyone's attention when they see a Hot Toys sculpt in person is the realism. Every wrinkle, every age spot, every bag, every hair is finely detailed and about as life-like as you can get.

Of course, that's only half the battle, but it's an important half, and one that sets their sculpts apart from the more toy-like work of other companies.

The second half is likeness, and in this arena Hot Toys is often dead on, and only occasionally slightly off. This is clearly Anthony Hopkins, and the inclusion of the extreme detail on the Odin make up - beard, eye patch, etc - only improves on the match to the film character.

The hair is worth special note for two reasons, one good, one bad.

The good is the level of detail. While Hot Toys always gives the strands of hair on each figures head extra care and love, this time I was astounded to just how thin and tiny the texture was. From the beard to the eyebrows to the two hairpieces, it was truly amazing. The paint doesn't quite do it justice, but more on that in the next section.

Sadly, there's also a sculpt issue with the hair that pulls his overall down a half star, and it's the same issue I had with Thor. The seam where the hair pieces meet the static hair line is just too wide. No matter how tightly you fit it, you'll still end up with a small line, and considering the overall quality of the sculpted strands, it's all the more obvious.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Paint - ***1/2
Generally speaking, the paint work is the one area where Hot Toys never seems to have a problem, but this time around there is a large enough nit to take note.

The skin tones and eye work is excellent though, once again providing that extreme realism. He might only have one eye to watch you with, but it's clear and bright.

The only paint issue is with the hair. The largely gray color is simply too bland on it's own, and in normal lighting does not allow the exceptional sculpt to shine through. It's unusual for the paint work on a Hot Toys figure to not fully support and even improve on the sculpt, but this is one of those rare times.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Articulation - ***
Underneath the complex costume is some combination of TrueType body parts, and it feels like all the usual joints are here. The legs and arms pose well, and the soft material of the costume is not particularly restrictive. Unlike Thor, his armor doesn't effect the shoulders too much, and you can even get a little tilting out of the chest and waist.

However, he loses much of the mobility of his most crucial joint - the ball neck. Both hair sculpts tend to stick in the armor, and I found it fairly frustrating when trying to turn and adjust the head. You may be better off removing the hair until you get the head pose just right, then trying to reattach the hair in place.

The swappable hands work great, and I had no trouble popping them on and off. Not too tight - not too loose.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Accessories - ***
He doesn't have a ton, unfortunately, and at the $170 price point, you really expect a bit more.

There's the swappable hair, held in place with a strong magnet. There is less difference between his two hair pieces than we saw with Thor's, with one just being a bit flatter (helmet hair!) on the sides and back.

There's also a good assortment of hands - he comes wearing a relaxed pose pair, and there are also a fist pair, a fist pair with holes to hold the staff, a special right designed to hold the staff with the thumb exposed, a pointing/gripping left, and a splayed 'force push' left. They all swap easily, and there's a couple extra wrist pegs just in case.

There's his staff or spear as well, depending on what he's using it for at the moment. It's a very bright gold plate - but it's plastic, not die cast metal. this was a huge downer for me, since after seeing Thor's metal hammer I was expecting the same treatment here. Had they gone the metal route, I would have boosted this score another half to full star, even with the shortage of other accessories.

Still the sculpt is great and the bright color befits a God. It slides into the specific hands well enough, but take care as to not snap it when doing so. Also, it doesn't come apart anywhere, so you'll have to slide it into one hand then the other from the bottom if you're setting up a two handed pose.

Finally, there's the display stand, which isn't necessary but is a nice inclusion for those using stands with other Hot Toys figures and going for a consistent look on the shelf.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Outfit - ****
My favorite aspect of this figure is the armor and cape, perhaps because in looking at this I'm reminded of what an amazing job Hot Toys could do with a license like the Game of Thrones. Are you listening, Howard?

The armor, like Thor's, is very clean and undamaged, but I think that's appropriate for a God. It fits extremely well, and the sculpted details look great. The boots work great too, with the upper section separate from the foot, allowing the ankle articulation to work well. However, the edge between the upper and lower piece is engineered to fit together smoothly in just about any pose, so it still looks like one complete piece.

My favorite aspect of the costume is the soft, velvety cape. I love the material they used in general, and here it's the perfect choice. It looks and feels regal, and it hangs beautifully off his shoulder and back.

One of the things I really like about the designs for both Thor and Odin is that they look like steampunk versions of the old Gods. The armor is old school with just the right touch of modernization, and no where is that more obvious than in Odin's helm. With an all metal appearance, curving 'wings' in back and huge dangerous horns up top, it gives him a look of industrial badassitry meets Norse mythology.

I also want to make a special point that none of this costume - or Thor's - is rubbery like the Comedian. Yes, I've heard about the oil problem on that figure's vest, and I have it as well on mine (although the material on mine has not yet begun to completely degrade). Clearly Hot Toys is going to have to do something about that, but I've also noticed people mentioning these two figures when discussing potential future problems. Therefore it's important to point out that none of the armor or clothing is made from a softer rubber, and instead everything is either cloth or a hard plastic.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Fun Factor - ***
He's a pretty sturdy figure, right down to the costume and most of the accessories. While it's unlikely any kid would ever play with him, there's not much damage they could do that would be greater than what they could do to the average mass market toy. You'd just cry more.

Value - **
I knocked Odin down a half star here from his son, and it's for the same reason as the lower Accessory score - Thor had the metal weapon, Odin does not. He really is more in line with one of the $150 Hot Toys figures.

Things to Watch Out For -
As I mentioned, you should take care sliding the plastic staff into the hands, especially when trying to do a two handed pose. But other than that, you should be good to go.

Thor Movie Odin sixth scale action figure by Hot Toys

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Overall - ***1/2
I waffled around a bit on this score between *** and ***1/2, but the deciding factor for me was the costume. I love the cape, and the clean look reminded me of something we might see Ser Loras wear. Odin is a God - even when beaten, he shouldn't look beat up.

The pair look great together too, and you can bet I ordered my Captain America the day it was available. I still have to go back and pick up Wolverine and Blade at some point, but I'm not making that mistake going forward.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ***
Accessories - ***
Outfit - ****
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - ***1/2

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- has Odin for $153, but are sold out of Thor.

- has him on pre-order at $155, along with Thor.

- has him at $160, along with Thor.

- Sideshow has him at $170.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -

- just last week I looked at Odin's son, Thor, also from the new movie and from Hot Toys.

- the recent Walmart exclusive Thor and Goliath set.

- there's also a couple of the small movie figures from Hasbro.

- going back further in time, there's the Hasbro Icons version, but there's also the Marvel Legends series 3 version (guest reviewed), the Marvel Legends series 2 version, and the Marvel Legends Giant Man series version.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.

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