FINALLY, I've got Rocky
First, to get it out of the way, yes, the JAKKS heads are too large to look right on the NECA body, so a bash would look silly, sadly.
Second, it need not be said, but man what an upgrade this is over the JAKKS figures, JAKKS server their purpose, but these are the figures fans deserve.
First shots to compare to other figures and such.
And now I have to share my thoughts after all the wait and fight to get my hands on this.
So first, let me just say, that for having to order this figure 3 times, dealing with the disappointment of getting the wrong one twice, I had reason enough to get this finally and feel like it wasn't worth all of that. However, it was worth it for me, everything I could have hoped for, this delivered on and I'm so glad to finally have him.
THE GOOD
NECA's flesh tone style is amazing. While their product photos have an almost too plastic/translucent looking quality, the actual product is very lifelike and well done, I'm more exicted for Rambo now. The sculpt of the body is great, very detailed and realistic. Most of the articulation is handled very well, I'm amazed by the range the head has and I really like the joints in the feet making more options possible. The portrait is definitely Sly, no doubt about it.
THE BAD
I'm not really a fan of the way the shorts/hip joint is handled. The limited articulation here just feels a little annoying when there's so much articulation elsewhere. I think a joint similar to JAKKS would have been subtle enough. Despite the portrait being clearly Stallone, there are some aspects to it that I think NECA needs to work on for future figures to really elevate their Sly figures to the level of their Arnolds, mainly the eyes, but also the expression. Looking at photos of other Rocky figures and having this one, and seeing pics of Rambo, there seems to be a trend of NECA giving his eyes a sleepy, almost drunk look, they look like Stallone, it doesn't ruin the likeness, but with Rambo and Rocky, there should be an intensity to his eyes and the way they're sculpting and painting them just isn't getting that. His mouth area is another spot that could benefit from more expression as well. Rocky ought to look out to kick someone's *** and this portrait really feels like the sculptor had to give everything they had to make sure it looked like Stallone and couldn't take it any further to capture the character of Rocky. It's surprising because there've been a number of expressive and excellent sculpts in this line but they've been Rocky's opponents.
Overally great figure, great representation and great value for your money.
