SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES' RESERVOIR DOGS 12" MR. BLONDE
Order this figure
HERE.
Following our review Monday of the
12" Mr. Orange (Exclusive), we're bringing fans and collectors a look at the second figure in the series, Mr. Blonde. Like Mr. Orange, there is an exclusive version of Mr. Blonde which includes a severed ear, limited to only 300 pieces. The regular edition is still available for $59.99
PACKAGING
Anything that isn’t a major epic franchise like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings for some reason gets the shaft when it comes to packaging. Although the box is sturdy enough and functions well with an opening Velcro flap and window display, it is the lack of individuality that is rather disappointing. All three Reservoir Dogs figures are packed in the exact same box with mostly the same accessories. The only thing that differentiates them is a small sticker on the front that says “Mr. Orange” or “Mr. Blonde”.
The box itself is very generic with general descriptions of the film and the figures are tied down with what always seems like too many twist ties.
SCULPT
For a movie like Reservoir Dogs where all the characters are guys in suits, the sculpt has to be pretty damn incredible. Sadly, the sculpt is only so-so for Mr. Blonde. Some angles look better than others but it still doesn’t strike me completely as Michael Madsen.
I actually thought I received a figure of Elliot Gould or Beau Bridges. Profile view does look like Michael Madsen, but for $60, profile is not enough.
There are three sculpted hands included, neither of them are capable of holding the included switch blade.
PAINT
Paint is pretty good although there really isn’t much to look at. Skin tones seem to match up alright and I didn’t find any slop. The eyes are clean and generally look good but the hair is way too shiny.
ARTICULATION
After playing with Hot Toys, there’s just something unpleasant about the old Sideshow bodies. They’re stiff and don’t look at all natural. There’s about 30 points of articulation if you care to count them but it’s hard keeping a good pose.
ACCESSORIES
I’m not sure what it is about Sideshow Toys and their non Star Wars figures but the accessories aren’t very interesting. But then again, we’re talking about Reservoir Dogs… what else could there be?
Mr. Blonde comes with a pistol, zippo lighter, cigarettes, sunglasses, wrist watch, and an extra right hand. Also included is a straight razor that cannot be held properly in the included hands. The sunglasses were also warped somehow and don’t fit on his face properly.
OUTFIT
While I can ignore the so-so sculpt and the generic accessories, what Sideshow is really selling is an actor in a black suit. The suit needs to be the most impressive aspect of the entire figure. Unfortunately, the suit was the biggest turn off.
These are all generic clothes already made for other figures so if it looks and feels outdated, that’s because it is. The pants would actually look decent enough if the figure itself could fill it out, though that’s more a fault with the figure than the outfit. The suit jacket though, just doesn’t sit or hang right. The white shirt underneath is too thick with oversized buttons. The gun holster doesn’t help matters either because it’s so large, the jacket is bulked up even more.
Then there is the tie, which just doesn’t hang as it should, but the worst offender has to be the belt, which is thin, weak, and breaks easily. Right out of the package for Mr. Blonde, the belt was already not put on properly and had shredded edges. Sideshow needs to really work on making their belts stronger.
COST AND OVERALL IMPRESSION
For $60, it’s a lot of money for a guy in a bad suit. Like my review of Mr. Orange, I’m not sure how well this figure - and line - will sell. The die-hard fans of this film probably aren't the action figure type. I think most fans of the film - and of movies in general - wouldn't mind having a 1/6th scale Michael Madsen figure, but the sculpt just isn’t quite as acurate as it could be.
Like Mr. Orange, Mr. Blonde isn't a bad figure...it’s just not worth $60.
See over 35 photos of Mr. Blonde HERE.
Review and photos by David Yeh
