Gentle Giant Strider/Ringwraith mini-bust review

[Michael Crawford]

I skipped the Sideshow/WETA line of Lord of the Rings mini-busts, but when I heard Gentle Giant was doing a series, I knew I was in trouble. The first pair - Strider and a Ringwraith - have started to ship, and they follow the usual quality that we've come to expect in the Harry Potter and Star Wars lines. I'm still waffling as to whether or not I'll end up a completist on this line, but in reality the battle is already lost. You can check out the reviews at the usual:

https://www.mwctoys.com

Thanks for reading!

Michael
MWC

 

[tomandshell]

Thanks for the review! Mine are due later this week and I am looking forward to seeing them in person.

 

[Darth Loki]

Thanks for the review! Mine are due later this week and I am looking forward to seeing them in person.

Tomorrow

 

[tomandshell]

Tomorrow

Just kidding! Good luck getting a ring!!

 

[The Josh]

Nice reviews Mike. Can't wait for Bob to get his shipment in.

 

[firefly2121]

Mine is on its way...I hope they come tomorrow....

 

[Darth Loki]

Just got mine and they are very nice. These weren't even the two I was looking forward to getting, but I have a tough decision in front of me. I can't keep both this and the SS 12" line. I can't wait to get Gandalf, the Balrog, and Saruman.

 

[LOTRFan]

Thanks for the review Mike, they look good enough except:

- the "sculpt" on either cloak, it is hard to tell from your pics; but they do look rather smooth, as if they lack any fabric pattern or simulation

- the sword on the RW is just wrong, the handle is just too thin and the angle doesn't look quite right

They do look to be a solid enough start for the line though.

 

[Michael Crawford]

No, there's no 'texture on the cloaks or robes - but that's been true of all GG mini-busts for any line, so I'm not particularly surprised here.

 

[tomandshell]

I have a tough decision in front of me. I can't keep both this and the SS 12" line.

I had to make the same decision, and after seeing Saruman and Gandalf at SDCC I have to admit that I chose the busts. Unless they goof up the final paint job like they did on the Obi-Wan statue, the Saruman bust should be one of the best looking LOTR collectibles ever.

Each of the prototypes seem to be the most accurate versions yet of their characters. I don't always prefer laser scanning (Andy B.'s work in the Star Wars 12" line was amazing without the help of lasers), but in this case I have to admit that they are absolutely nailing the appearances of the LOTR characters. Even though I'm not getting Frodo and Sam in their Orc gear, the likenesses are great.

 

[Fritz]

...- the "sculpt" on either cloak, it is hard to tell from your pics; but they do look rather smooth, as if they lack any fabric pattern or simulation...

No, there's no 'texture on the cloaks or robes - but that's been true of all GG mini-busts for any line, so I'm not particularly surprised here.

That's why Weta LotR Busts > Gentle Giant LotR Busts. Plus Weta is 1/4 scale.

 

[Beren]

That's why Weta LotR Busts > Gentle Giant LotR Busts. Plus Weta is 1/4 scale.

I totally agree here. I generally don't understand why people are so gung-ho about GG busts. Compared to the Weta ones, they look kind of cheap. All the Harry Potter busts as well, there's a certain plastic look to them. Regardless of likeness (and trust me, I'd wish the likenesses to the actors was more reliable in the Weta line), there seems to be a greater realism in the Weta busts, compared to GG ones. GG Saruman looks amazing but so is the Weta one. Strider and the rest? Meh. And BTW, ever tried putting your 1/4 SSW Frodo and Sam Orc helms on the Weta busts? They fit!

 

[Darth Loki]

That's why Weta LotR Busts > Gentle Giant LotR Busts. Plus Weta is 1/4 scale.

You can keep your nice looking robes on the SSW busts, I'll keep the busts that actually look like the actor's.

 

[Michael Crawford]

Yea - I've never understood why people paid what they paid for the Weta busts. The human likenesses were usually mediocre to poor, although the creatures were good. I own a few larger scale Weta statues, and they fell way short of my expectations.

 

[Radagaster]

Definitely a mixed bag. Why GG doesn't put the effort to adding texture to their busts is beyond me. I mean, comparing the Weta bust to a GG bust . . . makes the Weta look like it costs more, just because of the details. GG may have the face down pat, but detracts from the value if the detail of the rest is not there. Either way, I'm keeping the GG busts displayed separate from the Weta busts.

 

[LOTRFan]

I totally agree here. I generally don't understand why people are so gung-ho about GG busts. Compared to the Weta ones, they look kind of cheap. All the Harry Potter busts as well, there's a certain plastic look to them. Regardless of likeness (and trust me, I'd wish the likenesses to the actors was more reliable in the Weta line), there seems to be a greater realism in the Weta busts, compared to GG ones.

I will be the first to admit that some of the Weta busts aren't quite up to par, but after owing close to 20 or so Star Wars busts, I am not a big GG fan. They do have a much more plastic look to them (and we all know that polystone - even GG's version - is plastic! ); and the paintwork normally lacks any variation.

Ah well, buy what you like.

 

[The Josh]

Both the SSW and GG Busts have their faults. I'm glad I'll have both in my collection.

 

[Darklord Dave]

I'm a new convert to GG through the HP line, which have all been great. These LotR busts look more like they're straight from the movie rather than something done to look more like an art piece and failing. Also they'll fit in with my HP busts in scale and feel.

 

[The Josh]

My Strider will be here Friday.

I don't think the SSW Busts failed at looking like art pieces.

 

[JohnyBoo]

I have the SS/Weta fellowship busts and I love them but the likeness issue can be distracting. I am waiting for my GG Strider bust and if it wows me I may get more. I need more space so very badly!!