 Vital
Stats
- Line: Movie Maniacs IV
- Manufacturer: McFarlane Toys
- Scale: 7"
- Accessories: 2 swords, 1 marquee
- Articulation: Neck, shoulders, wrists, waist,
ankles for a total of 8 pts.
- GOTGM:
6
- Suggested for: Ages 13 and up
- SRP: $8.99
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I discussed the explosive popularity growth of the Evil Dead films -
and their subsequent commodification - at length in a recent Points of
Articulation, so I will spare you another exegesis on Sam
Raimi's beloved cult trilogy. Since I've got a number of reviews to
get through this week, I'll take the somewhat unusual tact of
cutting right to the chase.
Ash, the hero
of Army of Darkness, was one of the most successful
action figures of McFarlane Toys' third Movie Maniacs line. Thus, it
came as no surprise when the next line, released in 2001, featured
Ash's nemesis from the same film, his evil twin - the so-called
"Evil Ash." (On a side note, I have never been able to ascertain to
my satisfaction whether Bruce Campbell played both roles or if
someone stood in for at least some of Evil Ash's scenes.)
Evil Ash was produced at the height of McFarlane Toys' obsession
with statuesque figures. It's a sad irony that Ash and Evil Ash, two
of the most requested toys ever, have the misfortune to be two
figures that hardly deserve the "action" modifier. Ash hardly moved,
and Evil Ash moves even less. He's so pre-posed that he looks
terrible in any position other than the one he's clearly intended to
be in. The only room for creativity in posing is the wrists; once
you've successfully spent three hours jamming those sword hilts in
there (be careful doing that), then you can bend them up and down to
taste. The swords, by the way, are well-made and accurate to the
film, though they're pretty basic weapons.
Evil Ash double-fists
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Of course, the lack of articulation is somewhat made up for by
the fantastic sculpt. This figure's sculpt is unquestionably better
than that of Ash's (perhaps it's just easier for McFarlane sculptors
to capture a disgusting, bleeding, rotten face than Campbell's
smooth, chiseled good looks). The detail is incredible, right down
to the little ridges on EA's bone-helmet.
The paint applications are also possibly the best I have ever
seen from McFarlane (and that's saying something). I can't find a
single fault with it. This is about as realistic as one can get in
the 7" scale. Actually, this figure looks much more realistic than
those dopey, stiff-looking dolls that inhabit the 12" realm.
Well, this may be my shortest review ever. I have nothing else to
add. This is a really great-looking statue. Any Evil Dead fan
will probably want one, as will many horror fans and horror figure
collectors. It's not an action figure, but it's a
great...collectible.
Agree with this review? Disagree? Wish Evil Ash could do more
than look vaguely menacing? Discuss it over at The Loafing Lounge.
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