The Three Amigos! McFarlane, Aoshima and NECA aliens review!

[DSD]

Really enjoyed this review, thank you abake.

I might be on my own here, but I have a real soft spot for the Aoshima. There is a lot "wrong" with it, but there's something about the way it all hangs together that suggests the Alien rather well in my opinion. The way the skull curves is just right, although of course it all goes wrong when you get to the grinning face and thick forehead dome section. And your re-paint is awesome, I absolutely love it.

I sold my McFarlane a short while ago. I just don't like it, it's nothing like the Alien in the first film to me. I couldn't get it into a single pose I liked.

And I'm still undecided on the NECA, I guess I'll only be able to judge when it's in my hand. It's awesome in so many ways, and yet it's not quite right. The head ratio from the Aoshima, plus the detailing and body accuracy from the NECA, would be the ultimate.

 

[shockwave]

Abake, excellent review. I had the Aoshima fig a while back. Don't know why they didn't give the swival action on the arms... I have to admit it is nice and the Aoshima fig can do that classic "Alien" pending over pose. But I still love NECA's version.

Once again thanks for the great pics/review!

 

[DSD]

Of course, I should add that it's great to have so many interpretations of the same figure. It's what makes collecting fun, especially at the more affordable end of the market that these three figures represent.

But I'm still dreaming of a figure that gets closer to this:

Than either of these three does. Come on Medicom, you can do it!

 

[CelticPredator]

I think my biggest erk! is that you can see the detailed of the skull too well. Looks like someone doodled it. But I don't know how accurate it is to the actual movie since I never saw any behind the scenes or making of the alien suit.

Someone DID doodle it...its painted on....lmao.

 

[abake]

I think my biggest erk! is that you can see the detailed of the skull too well. Looks like someone doodled it. But I don't know how accurate it is to the actual movie since I never saw any behind the scenes or making of the alien suit.

Yes, it is actually accurate.
Unfortunately they didn't do a very good job of it...
On the other hand, it's really not that apparent when you have the figure standing there. The reflection of light on the dome usually masks the whole effect of the painting underneath.

 

[DSD]

Accurate to the prop, yes. Or at least, accurate to one particular prop. Accurate to the movie, i.e. what we see on screen? I'd say not. There's not a single bit of the movie where you can see the skull underneath the dome, let alone the eye sockets etc.

 

[Elder_Predator2]

Yeah, that's because of the lighting. It's like having your own mini prop on your desk. It's not screen accurate, but it is accurate to the props they used for the movie. Just like how the blues Aliens wern't prop accurate, but they were screen accurate.

 

[DSD]

Is it just a question of lighting though, or of the dome's material as well? In theory, if it was just the lighting, one of us would be able to light the figure in such a way that the skull was not visible, and the dome would appear as it does in the film. But I haven't seen anyone manage that yet, not even in the promotional artwork. In all shots of the figure you can see the skull, and in no shots of the film do you see the skull!

Ok, cards on table here: What I really want is one of each! One that looks like the Rimbaldi prop, and one that looks like what we saw on screen. Maybe they could use that magic glass that goes opaque when you flick a switch.

Also, I'd like the moon on a stick. What, am I asking too much?

 

[abake]

Is it just a question of lighting though, or of the dome's material as well? In theory, if it was just the lighting, one of us would be able to light the figure in such a way that the skull was not visible, and the dome would appear as it does in the film. But I haven't seen anyone manage that yet, not even in the promotional artwork. In all shots of the figure you can see the skull, and in no shots of the film do you see the skull!

Ok, cards on table here: What I really want is one of each! One that looks like the Rimbaldi prop, and one that looks like what we saw on screen. Maybe they could use that magic glass that goes opaque when you flick a switch.

Also, I'd like the moon on a stick. What, am I asking too much?

Well, I actually want one with metal teeth!

I think the dome was translucent, not transparent like the NECA. More like the Aoshima, actually. Of course massive amounts of KY Jelly, lighting and condensation would fog up the prop very quickly. Something we can't really replicate at home. Except for the KY Jelly, but I'm not going there...

I've been talking to Kyle and he told me the second batch had some improvements to the paint apps.
I guess we'll have to wait and see. Reminds of the McF alien, which had changes from the first batch to the second as well.

Oh, and I'm glad you guys liked the review!
I too have a soft spot for the Aoshima, there's a strange quality to the way it looks from the side, really nice.

 

[DSD]

Oh jeez, that probably means the first batch will become R@RE!1! on eBay, and I'll be forced to buy both otherwise I'll never sleep.

I think it's really cool that you know the guy who made this, I saw your shots from when this was in pre-production - so cool!

Oh, and I completely agree regarding the metal teeth. They're like chrome in the movie!

 

[Elder_Predator2]

I can't wait to see the second batch of these guys. Metal teeth would be awesome.


I still can't believe you got to visit the NECA place. Congrats on getting a friend in high places.

 

[shockwave]

Don't get me started on my ultimate articulated ALIEN (1/6) figure... Well mabye sometime in the distant future. Actually I would love to make a display box. I have the pics that I would like to use. But it's way beyond my ability... Ok I willl stop babbling now...

 

[Elder_Predator2]

Sure...................


Don't stop babbling now, you were on a roll.

 

[DSD]

Yeah, if you're going to babble, here is the place to do it. Let's hear it!

 

[shockwave]

for the articulation thingy or my "so-called" custom box.....

 

[DSD]

Both, of course!

Here in the UK it's Friday afternoon. I'm up for anything that passes the time!

 

[shockwave]

Ok here it goes w/my dream articulation big chap figure! Now I know all of my fellow figure/ALIEN fans are specialists when it comes to: "is this fesible to do."

So for the dome can it be flexible to remove from the skull? 2 versions: clear & solid?

3 different hands: open palm,
grip (mabye it can be flexible too?)
claw like version (?). Also for the interchangable hands they can be ball jointed? like the Aoshima but w/more articulation?

Well I really don't know about the legs, but could there be a way for to make the ALIEN figure pose in those promo shots. Or even the crab walk? ball jointed feet too?

Sorry it's hard to explain via typing...But I'm @ work so I am rushing this... But anyways I am all for articulation. Don't get me wrong I LOVE NECA's 18" version.

This is in regards to HT ALIENS' kits that were released.

As for my dream box. I think I have the photos @ home. I will try to post them. Thanks any feedback would be great. I don't like being a novice. I must learn!

 

[EndIessRAlN]

Yes, it is actually accurate.
Unfortunately they didn't do a very good job of it...
On the other hand, it's really not that apparent when you have the figure standing there. The reflection of light on the dome usually masks the whole effect of the painting underneath.

OK. Good. I'm not the only one that thinks it looks like a kindergardener doodled it. Haha.

 

[Elder_Predator2]

I with ya there to bro. It totally looks like a doodle.

 

[abake]

HT can pull off the ultimate alien figure if they want to.
It's just a matter of doing the figure as accurate as possible with their approach of the rubber coverings. The only really difficult part to pull off would be the hips. But even those can be disguised more than on their earlier figures.
Medicom has shown an interesting route with the full-body "suit", unfortunately they decided to mess with the proportions and ignored certain details. Also, I'm sure the "suit", or rather "pants", will hinder articulation a lot.
You know, I've come to the conclusion that it's really not that hard to design one of these figures if you put enough time and resources into it. What I mean is, it's not an impossible task to come up with ideas to hide joints and blend them into the sculpt. Just look at the wonderful work Kyle did sculpting and engineering the knees and elbows. Now think what could be done in the HT format of high end, expensive figures. Think Triad type of articulation. Their Evo and Eva figures seem to have outstanding articulation, but it is so well engineered that it blends really well with the sculpt. You could easily pull that off on a creature so full of detail and texture as the alien. Then you throw some rubber coverings here and there and you're mostly set.
Again, the only really tough part is the hip area.
It's all a matter of how much money you are willing to invest into it.