Today we will look at the return of Star Trek action figures by Playmates Toys. For this review, we will be taking a look at Admiral James Kirk as he looked in Star Trek 2 the Wrath of Khan. Playmates Toys, Inc. has the distinction of being one of the most prolific Star Trek licensees of all time. The famous toy manufacturer released more than 350 of the 4.5” action figure line, more than 30 of the 6” and 12” lines, and nearly 90 of the 9” line, in addition to numerous play sets, starship toys, and role-playing items from 1992 until 2000, and again in 2009, when the company produced collectibles for that year’s Star Trek movie reboot.
PACKAGING: Before we open this up, let's take a look at the packaging.
This new line of Star Trek figures comes in blister-style packaging that very closely mirrors how the figure’s packaging did back in the 90s. On the front of the package, we get to see that classic starship Enterprise design. The Classic Start Trek logo is at the top right while Kirk himself is displayed in the middle with everything he comes with. Turning the packaging to the side we get a good look at Kirk. The back of the box while a little different does a good job of paying homage to the original packaging. We get a list of everything the figure comes with, the rest of the figures in this line as well as a little bio. Turing the box around one more time we get another side angle of Kirk.
OUTSIDE OF THE BOX: Let's open the box and take a closer look at the figure.
Taking Kirk off the card we can see that Playmates has done a really nice job of making the suit look like it did in the movies, Kirk’s face sculpt does look nice, a little bit younger looking than he did in Star Trek 2 but still nice looking. The plastic used does make the face also look a little bit soft in the features as well. My real issue with this figure is the feet. he has two different-sized feet. not only is one smaller than the other but it also is not as high as the other one so Kirk doesn’t stand straight up, he leans a little bit.
ACCESSORIES: Let's see what kind of accessories the figure comes with.
The accessories that Admiral Kirk comes with are a base, phaser, captain's log, and communicator.
ARTICULATION: How can we pose the figure? Let's find out!
KIRK’S ARTICULATION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
BALL JOINTED NECK - allows you to turn the head 360 degrees.
BALL-HINGED SHOULDERS - Gives the arm 360-degree rotation and also the ability to raise and lower the arm.
SWIVEL HINGE ELBOWS - This allows you to bend the arm about 90 degrees and move them from left to right.
SWIVEL WRISTS - It allows you to turn the figure's wrists in a full 360-degree circle.
BALL JOINTED LEGS - With this it allows the legs to move out to the side along with some front and back motion.
SINGLE JOINTED KNEES - The joint allows you to bend the leg about 90 degrees.
BALL JOINTED ANKLES - The ankle hinge allows you to bend the foot front and back and also to the left and right.
ARTICULATION:
How can we pose the figure? Let's find out!
Here is our new Kirk standing next to two of the older Playmates Kirk figures. Kirk from the Generations movie and Kirk from the classic TV series.
RATING:
What are Baby Huey's scores for the figure?
PAINT JOB 5/5 - The paint that is on the figure is very well done and I don’t feel like anything is missed or out of place.
FIGURE SCULPT 3/5 - The head sculpt, while nice, is way too young looking. also, he has one wrong-sized boot
POSING 2/5 - The wrong-sized boot he has does make it hard to stand, and his legs are also very loose.
ACCESSORIES: 4.5/5 - he does come with a lot, however, the phaser he comes with is from Star Trek the motion picture, not the wrath of Khan. This is a new toy line, you had a chance to make and give him the right one.
DURABILITY 3.5/5 - Plastic is overall soft and there are some very loose joints on the figure, I do worry about it holding up over time.
OVERALL SCORE 3.6/5 - As a huge star trek fan and as someone who had a ton of the original figures, I was so looking forward to this line. I hope that some of the issues I have, the loose joints and soft plastic can be fixed over time. I had the same issues with MOTU Masterverse when it first came out and they fixed those issues almost right away. So here’s hoping Playmates can do the same.
RETAIL COST: $12.99 I PICKED MINE UP AT TARGET
TIME FOR SOME TOYING AROUND!!