Re: Hot Toys – MMS183 - The Dark Knight Rises: Bane Collectible Figure
Ok, I'm late to the game with this one but I'll still do my usual small review.
When this thing was in transit I started to have buyers remorse mainly due to my feelings on the film but probably within 10 or so minutes with him I realized I was happy I got him. Even stock this is a really nice figure and I'm surprised at just how much I like him. Some good and some head scratchers.
Packaging- Some people had a problem with it and thought it looked cheap. I have to issues. I like the cover art and I like the shoe box design which I hope they start to use for these MMS figures from now on. They're easier to get open.
Outfit- I love the vest and coat. Easily the best part about the outfit. BOth have more weathering than I had thought. I don't know what it is but when a 1/6 article of clothing/armor has a lot of straps, buckles etc I usually really like it. I guess it's more to look at and shows how much went into making it. So the vest gets a high score from me. I originally intended to weather the coat but like the Joker when I got it in hand I don't know if I will. It looks great. The only thing I would have wanted more from it was a snap on the right cuff for easier access to put on the gauntlet. The pants
are too tight. But with some futzing they can look good. Mine are literally hanging over his *** right now. It's unfortunate because the pants have great detail and I really like them in hand. I don't hate the boots like I thought I would but I still feel like they should have done something similar to the custom boots everyone has. At this price point they should have done everything they could have to spruce this release up regardless of how nice it turned out. The brown shirt is a brown shirt. It does it's job and I have no complaints. I really like this look too.
Accessories- Well there isn't much to say here. HT went cheap on us ,boys. I like the choice of hands but I think we should have gotten 4 more. The gauntlets are nice but I think HT got lazy with the fist gauntlet. They should have included a fist with the gauntlet attached like the modded one that is going around. A mod I did immediately by the way. The broken cowl is high quality and is a nice touch but was expected as far as it's inclusion in the set. I dig the stand. Simply not enough for the money. They should have included the trail master jacket at the very least.
Body/Articulation- Here's another place I think HT got lazy and made some odd decisions. While I like the look of the body and it's high quality I don't think it's wholly appropriate for Bane. Where are the traps? That's his look. They could have done it but they said **** it. Now when it comes to articulation it's much like what Clipper King said, they were in between a rock and a hard place. DO they go for the aesthetic of single joint arms for a shirtless figure or do they give him double joints that aren't as good looking so he can achieve the boss look. Now, for a shirtless figure I'd go with the single joint all day long.....all but for this figure. Regardless of the much better looking single joint Bane needed a double joint. I mean he does the boss pose 57 ****ing times in the movie. It's what he does. So this would have to be the exception. I think a lot other people would have been happier for it too.The scar looks great. At least they did that. I usually don't nit pick but at this price point I'm going to be a little harsher.
Head sculpt This is where this bad boy truly shines. The nose thing annoys me but the sculpt is so good you don't pay attention to it. It's undeniably Tom Hardy. It doesn't have the soft look as some of the recent releases. Lots of great detail on the skin,eyes and mask. The veins on the sides of his head are great.
Overall even with the nit picks it's an imposing figure and has a presence on the shelf. I like the contrast in color he has with Batman and Joker.
Glove mod
come to mama!
