by James K-Brak
HORROR's GOT A HOLD ON YOU?: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 40th Anniversary
Well, todays review brings us one of America’s favorite cannibals. I’m talking about Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre brought to you by NECA. Last year NECA decided to launch a line of 8” Mego type retro figures. The basis was take classic Mego updated bodies and add modern head sculpts to them. Leatherface is the latest in the line which launched with Jason from Friday the 13th Part 3 and Freddy from A Nightmare on Elm Street.
The packaging itself is a clamshell with an art card backer inside. The art card is very well done with custom art work for each of the figures. The clamshell leaves a bit to be desired since NECA claims it is resealable and easy to open - which it is neither. Other than that the packaging protects the figure and allows viewing of the figure and accessories rather easily for those collectors that wish to keep them sealed.
Now, let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of this figure. This guy has 9 points of articulation and is able to strike many poses and hold them. The figure has excellent ankle joints that are nice and tight so the figure can balance fairly easily with the accessories in his hands. In my opinion, the head sculpt on this figure is the best to date. The level of detail is amazing and the paint apps are clean and well done. The clothes on the figure are well tailored to the figure. They fit properly and aren’t too baggie or too tight. The figure comes with his signature chainsaw and hammer. The one huge problem I see with this figure is that he can’t hold his chainsaw! I don’t know if it was a mistake in design or they just didn’t think anyone would want to put the saw in his hands. He has a sculpted closed fist on each hand that has a hole in the center to put the hammer in but the only way to get the saw in his hands is to take the grip off the saw and thread it through his hand. This design flaw really knocked this figure down for me.
Overall the figure has a lot going for it, but the two really big flaws are hard to overlook. One - the packaging could have been easier to open and reseal; and two - the figure itself should have had a sculpted hand to hold his chainsaw at the trigger and not the guide handle. If these issues would have been corrected before production it would have been an easy 10 pointer. It is a great looking figure, but when Leatherface can’t even hold his chainsaw that’s a problem. Other than those two issues the figure displays well without his saw and looks pretty sweet sitting on the shelf either in or out of his package. If you would like to add this figure to your collection he is currently available at Toy Wars and Entertainment Earth as well as other online retailers and at some brick and mortar stores - even Toys R’ Us. If you would like more information on the figure or any others in this line from NECA you can contact them directly. 8 of 10
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