Customer Reviews

Classic Monsters Series 2 Figure: Wolfman

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In conjunction with the release of Van Helsing last Summer and the release of the toys based on that big budget flop, Jakks Pacific released three action figures featuring Universal Films classic monsters of Dracula, The Wolfman, and Frankenstein. Jakks is most well-known for their long-running line of wrestling figures but Jakks has never been one of the better action figure makers like McFarlane Toys or Toybiz. Their figures have always been lacking in detail and its no different with this figure of Lon Chaney as the Wolfman.

This figure suffers from the same problems that the other two figures in the line do...namely that the base and backgrounds are well done, but the figures themselves are rather poor. Again Jakks gives us a boring and bland paint palette with only a few colors which provide no highlighting, shading or depth. While Jakks offers a nice touch by giving the figure interchangable head, feet, and hands to change from Larry Talbot to the Wolfman, the resemblance to Lon Chaney is weak at best.

The background and base is again the strong part of the figure with the full moon backdrop being a nice detail. Still, if you want a good figure of the Classic Wolf Man, go with the Sideshow figures which are light years ahead in quality.

To quote Sir John Talbot, "Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." One of the cultural benefits of the attempt to update the great movie monsters of Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man for this year's blockbuster monster romp "Van Helsing" is that we are seeing a revival of the original Universal Monsters as well. You can pick up "Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection" on DVD, which has the Universal films "The Wolf Man," "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man," "She-Wolf of London," and "Werewolf of London." Then there is this "Classic Monsters Figure: Wolf Man," that turns poor tragic Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) into an action figure.

This is the Series 2 black & white figure of the Wolf Man; the original Classic Monsters Series figures were in color. All of the figures are produced by Jakks Pacific Inc., the same company handling the "Van Helsing" figures, so they can take care of all of your monster figures need from the old to the new. I think there is also an attempt here to provide for the new generation what us old timers remember with the Aurora models of the Universal Monsters. It looks like Larry Talbot is engaging in a bit of grave robbing on the night of a full moon, which explains the shovel and lantern. The 6" figure is wearing the muted green shirt and brown pants Universal always used for the character and you get to switch the head, hands and feet to turn the Wolf Man back into Larry Talbot, whose face does resemble that of Chaney. You just pop the pieces in and out and then pose him as you desire. The Wolf Man figure has points of articulation at the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees, and ankles so there are lots of possibilities, although keeping the figure upright is a concern.

I maintain these are educational figures because they will inspire a new generation of viewers to go check out the original film and even if there is not a novel behind the Wolf Man as there is with Dracula and Frankenstein, there is still something to be said for knowing our heritage even when the subject is movie monsters. I think the Frankenstein figure is the best of the Classic Monsters series, but Wolf Man here edges out Dracula to place in this particular monster race.

This is a very good representation of the Classic Monster series. Other items in the series are also very nice. It makes a good collectors item.

If you are a complete collector of Wolfman toys and other collectables this is an acceptable item. Some thought did go behind this design of this monster figure and his semi-diorama pedestal. It does not contain the diminutive detail that some collectors would have wanted but it does seem to convey the essence of the Wolfman and the world that has eternally haunted his humanity.

This is not the same quality of the many classic movie figures that have been made by various companies such as Spawn and Sideshow. The limb joints can be spotted across the room and the wolfman's stance is truly awkward.

The figure and set is intended to pay homage to Lon Chaney, Jr., who played the unfortunate Larry Talbot, who gets bitten by a werewolf and then shares its fate. In my opinion, the face of Mr. Talbot is just not on target. Were it not for the environment, if I just saw the figure's head, I would never know that was supposed to be Lon Chaney, Jr., who had a timeless, unique visage as a lonely man that desperately needed rescuing. Chaney, like his famous father, was a character actor of the highest order.

Today's action figures, thanks to modern molding technology, are simply much better in quality than the figures of long ago, but this one does not rank as one of the better ones by a longshot. The wolfman face is clearly similar to Lon Chaney's wolfman, but not close enough.

Great job of portraying Mr. Lon Chaney in all his hairy glory! The backdrop with its rotating moon to FULL makes it a perfect throwback to the actual film. I loved this movie when I first saw it as a young man...and the B&W version is the ONLY way to go...and it's the best price...go figure. Grab this baby while you can...and at the GREEN price it's a steal. The box is GRADE "A+" and just perfect for those of you that plan to box it away for the next 20 years...and pull out when the era of DVD's have passed...and you can give your grandkids a toy and perhaps the original film...if DVD players even exist then...and hear squeals of joy....I know my clan will be loving the adorable Wolfman like I did when his hairy dude howled at the moon in the 40's and 50's in wonderful Cinemascope in the B&W many of us old farts just love. Pop the corn in oil and a huge pan....turn down the lights...and spin the back drop...yowl it's a FULL MOON.... and THEN you can swap out the included accessories to make Lon go from kind of somewhat ugly actor to the wonderful scary and very hairy WOLFMAN!!!!! YOOOOOOWOOOOOO YOOOOWOOOO. The skin of my neck stands straight up as I see him claw to death his first victim. GRAB THIS SWEET BABY NOW....GREAT STEAL OF A DEAL for the money...you can expect a 500% growth rate in 2005 dollars...sold just 10 short and sweet years from now...in it's EXCELLANT graphically superior 99.99% mint ROCK SOLID easy view box with a "try me" spin backdrop opening. What an future e-bay auction investment quality steal of a deal today....for the TOY and HOBBY investors in some of you...or just open it now you BIG KIDS...and bring back the good old days when monsters were monsters...and this poor tortured soul with his love standing by his side despite his hairy prediciment was one of the best CLASSIC monster movie feature. Has all teh looks of the sweet plastic model I myself glued and painted in the late 60's!! Remembering that sweet smell TESTOR's REAL glue...and them little bottles of paint! SWEET LIFE we boomers had....may it drag you back to the age of Aqaurius!! FAR OUT! RIGHT ON! SMOKE them duchies DUDES! Lon rules.....get him and Frank...and Bela to round out the trio...all B&W and super priced. MONSTER BASH...the monster mash...it was a graveyard smash..... >;-)