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Hmmm,
Angelina Jolie action figures. By newcomer SOTA Toys. Mmmmmm.
What can you say, the pictures of these figures when she first
came out showed great promise. Did SOTA deliver? Read on to
find out…
Sculpting – 10
SOTA Toys must have had every reference picture – and then
some – to capture Jolie’s likeness and look so well. From
the extra pouty lips, to the somewhat larger forehead, to
her, err, ummm, assets, both figures look great. The nicely
done jacket and holsters on the holsters for the Jacketed
Croft are detailed and function really stand out. On the Wet-Suit
Croft, the ‘lack’ of detail and streamlined look of the suit
is nice. Also a nice touch for these figures are the slightly
different heads from the braids in the back. Finally, a female
figure with a head that can be moved despite the sculpting….
:)
Articulation – 8
OK, again, based on the initial pictures showed double-jointed
knees and elbows, which excited the figure community. A Lara
Croft as poseable as a Marvel Legends figure? Well, getting
these figures showed how close, and how far, SOTA had come
to achieving this. Yes, these figures have great appendages
articulation. Swivel ankles and shins, double jointed knees,
swivel wrists, double-jointed elbows, and ball socketed shoulders.
However, they fall short on the hip and mid-torso joints.
The jacketed Croft has only a swivel hip joints, and an odd
joint for her upper legs. The ball socket is oddly angled
and does not allow for truly natural poses; and the thigh
swivel joints (they are there, I checked and know for sure)
are locked essentially by the straps and holsters. What’s
the purpose of an action figure joint if you can’t use it?
As for the Wet-Suit Lara, her upper mid-torso joint is for
show, not much else. At least both figures have great neck
articulation, even with her hair sculpt – Croft can tilt her
head to make almost any pose look cool.
Accessories – 8
If you can count arms as accessories, then you will understand
the accessories for the jacketed Croft. She comes with two
side-arms that fit snugly in the holsters, and an extra set
of bare arms. Why? You can slide out the ones with jacket
sleeves, slip off the jacket, and slide on the sleeveless
arms – instant T-shirt Lara Croft. Very nice. The Wet-Suit
Croft comes with a flare gun, a small harpoon gun(?), a box,
and a knife. Great accessories for two great ladies…
Painting and Design – 9
The look of both these figures is truly awesome. Even with
the slightly limited poseability, these figures look cool
no matter the stance. The attention to detail again really
sells these figures, especially the costume detailing. That
– and the nearly flawless likeness of Angelina Jolie ;) Add
to this a great paint application, right down to the laces
on the boots, and you have some fine looking female figures.
I detract only one point for the fact that Jacketed Lara Croft,
sans jacket, looks like she is sticking out her stomach…it
really is kinda weird to me.
Overall
Though the movie is only doing so-so at the box office, these
figures are still great. With a great sculpt and decent articulation,
these lady figures truly stand out as ones even a James T.
Kirk figure can’t resist. She is popping up a Suncoast, Sam
Goody, and Comic Book shops. The average price is between
$12 to $15. A little steep, but well worth $12 and less for
each figure. So if you really want your Lara Croft, snag these
while you can, she may be gone from stores soon. Or she may
hang on the pegs till that lovely Mrs. Clearance clears her
out.
Lara Croft : Wet-Suit and Jacketed Figures
Overall Rating : 8.75
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