Editorial Review

Though some contemporary film fans may not realize it, theroots of many modern horror classics lie in the silent films of theearly 20th century. Even before Lugosi, Chaney, and Lee brought ustheir respective chilling versions of the vampire's tale, Germandirector F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu was giving silent filmaudiences the chills. Inspired by this dark 1922 classic comes theelaborate articulated figure of Knock Renfield the Madman. This AztechToyz creation compares favorably with similar sets and featuresintricate detailing and handpainted features. This colorized Renfieldcharacter (a more authentic monochrome version is also available) comesready to display (or play) in his asylum diorama, featuring shackles,bed, and a few crawling surprises. It connects with the Graf Orlokdiorama (available separately) to form one huge, horrifying scene. Alsoincluded is a film cell collector's card. --Matthew Mason ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not bad, but you can find better ones that this
If you missed out on the first wave of these figures, don't worry about it. ToyBiz is re-releasing them! Smaller packaging, smaller price, and I say that's a sweet deal any way you slice it.

The diminutive hobbit from the peaceful land of the Shire was bequeathed his Uncle Bilbo's house, possessions - and a Ring - when Bilbo decided to leave the Shire. The kind wizard Gandalf lends his great wisdom to the matter, and discerning that the Frodo's simple band of gold is actually an instrument of brutal power, taken from the dark lord Sauron in battle an age ago! Should Sauron ever recover the Ring, he will again grow great and powerful, powerful enough to dominate all free peoples and lands in Middle-Earth. Frodo finds himself caught up in a world of elves, orcs, and wizards he had previously only read about, when he leaves the Shire with three friends, on a quest to destroy the One Ring.

I wasn't as impressed with this figure. The costume is pretty good, as is the norm with most of the Lord of the Rings figures from ToyBiz. And admittedly, this is probably the only Frodo figure that is not wearing the outer coat, but only his shirt and suspenders.

Detriment number one would be the sword. It is permanently grafted into Frodo's hand. Of course, it DOES glow blue, but since it's not detachable, I count it as a detriment. There's also the cloak. Some people have complained that it makes Frodo hard to stand, but from my experience, long (and sometimes heavy) cloaks can sometimes be used to support the weight of the figure. The cloak is detachable too...if you ask me, they included its detachability just because they had to have SOMETHING to come separate with it.

If you want a Frodo with Sting that glows ("Frodo, the lit-tle hobbit / had a very shiny sword / and if you ever saw it / you would want to see it more / all of the other hob-bits/only had these dinky blades/they never glowed like Frodo's / like his did inside Dwarf-caves...."), or with the somewhat different costume, then you'll want to go for it. If you're just looking for a good Frodo to play with or display, keep your eyes peeled, and your wallet pocketed. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is more than a horrormasterpiece--it has been hailed as one of the most important filmsever. If nothing else, it has certainly defined the gothic look for thebetter part of a century. Here the title character, a mysteriouscarnival hypnotist whose very presence heralds doom, is sculpted inauthentic detail and handpainted in a colorized update of the film'soriginal black-and-white imagery. Open Caligari's body to find astraightjacket composed of frightening creatures. The set comes with afilm cell collector's card and features a detailed carnival dioramabase that replicates the feel of the film. --Matthew Mason ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Silent Screamer- Dr Caligari.The Hypnotist
Another well done Silent Screamer. Nice rendition of the Hypnotist from The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, the classic German Expressionist film from the early years of the silents. Goes well with it's companion figure of Caesare the Sleepwalker with which it can form a nice diorama. Buy them both, I can't find them anywhere else cheaper.Especially at the sale price at ToysRus. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

....
OK, i was a little ticked off when i first got it and the right hand fell off, that was ok, a lil super glue, then the whole right arm from the silver sleeve down fell, now i think that they should fix it if it is a regular problem. other than that it is an excellently detailed figure

BEST Pre-Lothlorien Legolas EVER!!!
OK, so ToyBiz has made who knows how many Legolas figures--I don't bother to keep track--but they have finally made THE BEST Legolas figure here to date (at least, in my opinion).Just goes to show practice makes perfect.So, on with the show...

The weaponry is by far the best part of this figure.The white knives actually look the pearl-white they're supposed to be, and the scale is precise: short handle, long blade.The quiver for the bows is also exquisitely detailed, though the arrows look a bit cheap as well as the bow, except for the leaf-inscribed detailing on the handle.

The head of Legolas is a new sculpt, which is refreshing.His hair is not horizontal, thank goodness; his ears are pointy, and his face looks very handsome, its expression focused and concentrated on the battle at hand.(Hint: I can easily see this head sculpt being used for a rumored Council Legolas action figure in 2005)

The rest of the figure's body is great: minutely-detailed, well-articulated, and accurately scaled.Great fun.

Those who wish for a really good pre-Lothlorien Legolas will NOT be disappointed!As for those who want a different Legolas--say, a Council Legolas or a Coronation Legolas--should still buy this figure, as it has great potential for customization, in case ToyBiz doesn't make any more Legolas figures! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Looks just like Ben...
If you saw the Movie... then you will know what I mean. This is a A MUST HAVE for Collectors. I thought that Spiderman and the Green Goblin were realistic -- but this doll takes the prize. My Grandson loved the Spiderman and Goblin when I got them for him last Christmas, so I know DareDevil is going to a hit too! For little boys... to see the movies, then to have the doll to re-create the action at home just keeps GI Joe in the closet floor. The only draw back is that his mask is painted on, but he looks like the Actor so thats OK!Keep them comming Toy Biz. Wait till Barbie sees him... see ya later Ken! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

An AWESOME TOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This toy is a collectable for grown ups,but I love it too.I am twelve years of age,and still love toys like this.I defenatley give this action figure 5 stars.5 for fun,and 5 for durable.Unfortunally I can only rate it 3 stars for educational.If you buy this toy,your using your money wisely. If you buy this and dont like it,you are crazy.I hope you buy one.(you'll be doing the right thing)

neo is looken good
This toy is the best I have ever seen.I am a big fan of the matrix toys.Thair is a lot of matrix toys in my house.But this one is the best one I have ever seen.

whoa...
I have wanted this and Trinity since they came out, and I finally got them yesterday, and I just have to say, whoa. Real masterpieces, they are. My only complaints are that it doesn't *quite* look like Neo, and the gun doesn't fit into the holster far enough, and due to how they packaged it, the bullet shards are bent and look weird. Other than that, this toy is perfect. I mean, come on! What's not to like about it? 5 stars for fun, because while you can't really play with it, it sure is fun to look at. 5 for educational, because it shows you how to dress when you what to go on a murderous rampage against some Agents :). And I say 5 for duribility due to the fact that the M-16 isn't permanently bent, which is rare indeed.

Mc.Flaron meets Matrix
When I first got neo I thought it was better then all my movie maniac figures combined.Its beautifly deatialed.Pictures can be deciving like theres not 2 holsters in the trenchcoat,theres not
another gun to go on the set,and the piller does not connect to
the right side.The figure is still defenitly worth it!!!

FABULOUS
I think this action figure excellently displays Neo. The detail is second to none. It is also very durable. I would highly recommend this to any Matrix fan like me. I hope to collect all of them. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

DO NOT BUY!
There are several serious problems with this toy: The most important is that the Scooby and Shaggy FIGURES DO NOT FIT inside the toy.Even for an adult it is extremely difficult to place the figures inside the "driving compartment" and when placed there, they will not sit properly. The compartment is too little, the doors do not open fully, and the "steering wheel" is not positioned properly.
The second issue is the POOR QUALITY: the doors fell out when an adult tried to place the figures inside the toy, it was difficult to open the "main compartment", and the plastic was not nicely finished (rough edges).
Overall, only the rambling sound worked as expected (it was too loud, though).

This highly anticipated birthday gift was returned to the store by my 6-year old child, who said, crying: "Daddy, don't buy toys like this.I want to play with the Gang and even Scooby won't fit."

Keep away from this toy! Kids will be frustrated and throw it away instead of enjoying.

5 year old loves it- but needs to be redesigned in my opin
5/04...My five year old daughter loves Scooby Doo anything - so this was an instant hit - however, the doors of this van constantly fall off (since they only open 1/2 way) and she can't open the rear compartment herself. The doors have to be reinserted by an adult.It seems to me this toy should be re-designed to make it easier for a child to open and play with.This could be a really "groovy" toy if it had more feature to inspire creative play...maybe make it like a camper inside...right now, it's empty like a moving van. Shaggy is almost too big to fit in the driver's seat. (...)

Disappointing
My 5 yr old grandson bought this with some birthday money. When we got home and took it out of the package, there was only a Scooby and Shaggy figure.The figures are too big to fit correctly in the front of the van even with bendable legs.The doors don't open enough and when you try to get the figures inside the doors come off.Then an adult has to put them back on. My grandson likes the toy because he loves Scooby Doo but quickly gets frustrated when he can't get the figures inside and the doors come off!Toys should be tested by kids before they go to market!!!

my 2yr old son loves it
My 9 yr old got this for x-mas & quickly forgot all about it. My 2 yr old son LOVES it. He plays w it daily for last year or so & we bought a 2nd one b/c he loves it so much. It opens from the top & the doors on the front & back open-which he likes. My main criticism (& why I rate it a 3 on durability) is the front & rear doors fall off easily & are difficult even for my 4 yr old to put back on. There may be small parts-there is a warning, but I've not seen any. We have definitely gotten our money's worth from it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

One Word: WOW!
I bought this figure in the Gimli/Uruk-Hai 2-Pack, and lemme tell ya, this dude can kick some serious Orc butt!!! One of the most beautifully detailed ToyBiz action figures! It looks EXACTLY like John Rhys Davies (who played him in the movie). I would recommend this toy any day to someone who wanted a good, quality action figure. :)

Gimli!
This gimli figure is great! Don't listen to the reviewer ... because he said that he does not come with his cloak/helmet! THIS FIGURE DOES COME WITH HIS CLOAK AND HELMET! This figure is the same one that came with the Gimli and Uruk hai 2 pack from FOTR. Great sculpting, he looks exactly like gimli. Again, DO NOT LISTEN TO THE REVIEWER! THIS GIMLI DOES COME WITH HIS HELMET AND CLOAK! This is NOT the single packed FOTR gimli!!GREAT FIGURE!

"And my axe!"
Toy collectors, Lord of the Rings fans, and combinations have received no better toy news than that ToyBiz is re-releasing some of their older, rarer, and more popular figures. Some of them (keep your eyes out for Boromir and Gandalf the Grey) even have improvements on the originals! The boxes are smaller, but the price is too, so it makes little difference to me.

No small part did the hearty dwarf Gimli play in the War of the Ring, and the defeat of Sauron. Gimli's father was Gloin, who journeyed with Bilbo on the same adventure that saw the simple hobbit of the Shire stumble upon an attractive, yet seemingly unimportant magic ring. With Gimli's will of stone, his axes of iron, and his skill in battle, the dwarf forever held a place in the mythology of Middle-Earth as one of the brave Nine Walkers that set out to undo Sauron's evil plans.

The figure is identical to the original Fellowship version, which originally came with a small table that held the Ring at its center. Among other axes, he carried an axe that would split upon an attempt to destroy the Ring with a mere blow. I do not know if that axe is included in this set, but his others include his broad, double-bladed axe which he mainly fights with, two throwing axes, and one larger-sized one-bladed axe. There is one clip-like hole you can slide one of his throwing axes into, so that he carries it at his side.

This figure does NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT come with helmet, or cloak, but the costume and facial sculpting are satisfactory nevertheless. His hair is set in one Dwarven plait which extends down his back. I've actually found that plait useful in holding Gimli's main axe in place on his back, even though there is no place for it to hang as it does in the movie when not in use. His face is set in a permanent scowl, and his is able to stand on his own stout legs pretty well.

Basically, if you're just looking for one Gimli to display, then you should consider searching (or waiting) for one which includes the helm and cloak. If you're a die-hard Dwarf fan (and I don't blame you!), or wanting to collect most/all of these figures, especially a semi-rare Fellowship figure, then you should go for it.

Beautiful
This figure is a fantastic likeness, has no stupid buttons or levers and is simply a work of art to display. Yet is plenty durable to play with. Gimli isn't my favorite character by any means, but the detail and craftsmanship of this figure is outstanding. A must have for any LOTR collection. It does have and axe swinging, throwing action which is activated by squeezing his legs together, which is great.

Grab Gimli!
If you don't have a 6" Gimli for your collection, grab this sucker quick! He's a splendid figure, highly detailed, even to fine gold etching on his armor and he has more weapons than he can hang onto or hang *on* him. (4 axes of various sizes.) Helm goes on or off, cloak fits well. Sturdy, stands easily and looks like our beloved Gimli. I've got mine standing of course with my TTT Legolas and they look great. Definitely a must for collectors, though rough handling might make him lose his axes or cloak. ... Read more