Let me tell you this....it was such a relief to finally see that some company did bring in Playmates' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys into the pegs of my TRUs here in Malaysia! I was worried sick that I'd never see my beloved mutated sea-creatures-turned-ninja anytime soon because as most Asian collectors are aware of, we don't get a number of (if not MOST) cool toys that has already hit the shelves in the States let alone getting them at the same period of time. As predicted, a year after our American collector friends got their 'TMNT' fix, both the 'Classics' and 'new' Turtles hit the Singaporean and Malaysian TRUs. Better late than never I guess. Today I'm gonna look at the classic Turtles....
When Matty Collector came up with the 'classic' MOTU action figure line in '08, it was inevitable that someday along the line we'd also get updated 'classic' versions of the 'Turtles as well. I think most collectors saw this coming when every toy company on the planet saw how successful Mattel was when they re-introduced He-Man and gang through their 'classic' line. I'd say it's gonna be a joyous time indeed for us collectors! Bring on the 80s back! Anyway, enough of the rants.....
Packaging
Let me start by saying that I absolutely LOVE the packaging. It invokes that 80s nostalgia almost immediately! Blister card on a rather thick card (thicker than usual that is!) with cool retro fonts and art....what's not to love about them? Take a look yourselves.....
I love the sticker on the side of each packaging that says 'Inspired by the original animated series....1988!". Feels like Playmates is playing the psychological game with us here.....'remind them collectors on the good times in the 80s'! Damn it worked!!!!
Back
The back of the card has the bio on the turtles. The original show in the 80s and how they are still recognizable after all these years. Playmates went on to say that they had updated the figures to suit modern times i.e. with the sewer man-hole cover as stands and now with better articulations etc. You'd also get to see the whole of Series 1 at the bottom which coincidently (and unfortunately) only consist of the 4 Turtles.
Another thing to note is that the TMNT property now belongs to Nickelodeon....you know the kids' channel? I've read somewhere that Nick' had bought all rights for them 'Turtles from Mirage Studios sometime in 2009...hence explaining their existing presence in all TMNT-related products.
Figures stands
First of all, I think these Turtles are solid enough to stand on their own without any need for stands. Nevertheless, them Playmates folks gave us these personalised 'sewer/man-hole cover' complete with their individual names as stands. How cool is that?
You know, you can't really buy 'just any one' of these Turtles without (eventually) realising that they actually realising that they are a 'package'...means ya' gotta buy all 4 if you want your nagging feelings ('I shou'd've bought the other 3!!') to NOT haunt ya' when the figures are no longer available on the shelves. Once you buy one, you're gonna come back for the rest..LOL. Anyway let's take a look into the four individual figures....
Leonardo
Being the leader of the group, I'd say he's a definite must. In fact, the first thing I noticed when I first got word that these Classic Turtles were hitting TRUs everywhere was that Leo and Ralph were noticably lesser than Mikey and Donnie. No surprises there. He's expectedly popular and I'd predicted that he'll be the first to disappear together with Raphael...and I was right. I was left with only a few to choose from. Luckily I managed to choose a good one sans a botched paint job!
The figure is everything we'd ever wanted from a good TMNT figure! I am saying this on behalf of the other 3 too....they are excellent! Great 34 Point-of-Articulations and good paint jobs...what more can you ask? The sculpt stays faithful to the 80s figure but they still retain the unique 'smirk' that each Turtles possess. Leo has one too, showing his left part of teeth as he snarls.
Both his katana blades can be stowed at the sheaths on his back, just like the original figure. Honestly, I had the intentions of painting the weapons over just to make them look more realistic but I just cannot seem to find the time to do so. Leo (and the rest of his brothers) are very well articulated so he can be posed in many various poses imaginable and expected from a TMNT figure!
Raphael
As I've mentioned before, Leo and Ralph were the obvious targets and I kinda brainwashed myself to grab these two on sight the moment I see them! And grabbed them I did....if you think Leo was depleting, then finding Ralph wasn't such a stroll in the park either! It took me a second look on the shelves of the TRU where I hunted down mine to finally find Ralph at the depths of the lower pegs. There were only two to choose from and I took home with me the one without the obvious 'chipped' nose.
I only had Raphael when I was younger (true story!!!) and it was actually my brother who had the rest of the TMNT brothers. I hold this figure very dear to my heart as I was always taken into Ralph's character...a loner, rebel and hard-headed! I still love the fact that he can stow both his sai into his front belt, the only Turtle who can do so. I'd always imagine that he'd be the first to draw his weapons in the heat of action unlike his brothers who have to actually reach for theirs at the back. Ralph can also hold his sai in the 'thrusting' position...very cool!
Michaelangelo
I wasn't really drawn to Mikey when I was younger. I know a lot of fans dig him since he's the 'party dude' and all. Like I said before, you can't really have a complete set of TMNT line-up without him so here he is....heheh. He's actually a decent figure. He has no smirk like the rest of his brothers, he opted to NOT show his gritty teeth. I do however love the fact that he has real 'chains' for his nunchucks. What I dislike is his skin tone. He is distinctively difference albeit a darker green than the rest. I know this is faithful to his 80s figure but I think his dark green could've been toned down a bit so that he'd fit better with his brothers. Just my 2 cents....
Donatello
Last but definitely not least is the scientist-inventor-logical thinker himself, Donnie! He was my second favourite among the Turtles, next to Ralph of course. Something about his use of a 'non-sharp' weapon intrigues me. But seriously, I totally dig the fact that them Turtles had a genius amongst them. Whatever Donnie says carried weight and was seriously given a thought by the Turtles unlike some sharp witty comedic comments by Mikey to say the least! To be able to command respect from the rest of your comrades, now that's authority. That was Donnie all about to me and made him the 'logical' choice as leader....not Leo. Well, in my 'universe' at least.
Besides, I think his color purple looks wicked...need I say more? Heh.
THE REBEL'S VERDICT: These figures are the best updated 80s classic characters out there next to the MOTU classic figures! You'd be crazy not to snag these if you find them at retail. I heard that these are really HARD to find in the States. A collector buddy of mine had to get his set thru Amazon or BBTS or something albeit a hiked up crazy price. I look forward to see what 80s action figures get a modern update next...*fingers crossed it'll be M.A.S.K.*. For now, if you come across these TMNT Classic figures....GET!
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