Over the years since his introduction there has been an insane amount of Freddy Krueger merchandise. Some of it has been great, some of it has been awful, but in the last 15 years or so we have seen an uptick on quality. In the last ten years or so NECA has been the go to company for affordable and accurate Freddy figures.

Continuing their stellar line of "Ultimate" edition figures. NECA delivers another homerun with The Terminator affectionately known as the Tech Noir T-800 as seen in the original Terminator film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Well so far Alien Day has proved to be a hit! Fans everywhere seem to be getting in on the action and plenty of companies are participating and revealing all sorts of Alien themed treats for fans to score!
From prints to toys and everything else, it seems everyone has has got on board and made today a real treat for fans of the franchise. And why not, the Alien franchise is one that has remained popular for decades and even for myself, my interest is at an all time high. Earlier I wrote a post detailing my personal memories regarding each film, which was a fun walk down memory lane for me. Now as a capper to Alien Day we want to have a little more fun and share a couple pieces of art and some photography I did using my own personal Alien collection, as well as some final thoughts on the significance of today and the Alien films. Let's get to it!

There are some things from our childhood that make such big impressions on us that we hold onto and value them throughout our lives. When a large group of people hold onto the same thing, it takes on a life all it's own as a cultural phenomenon. Transformers, Star Wars, G.I. Joe, He-Man, Spider-Man, Batman were all huge parts of millions of peoples childhood, myself included. As I got a little older my interests changed and I moved on from He-Man and Star Wars and eventually landed on Aliens and Predator. 

In the summer of 1987 I was still just 6 years old and very much into all those things but at a friends birthday sleepover we were all introduced to ALIENS via VHS. His dad felt it was the right movie for us as young kids to watch. He was right, even though the Aliens, Chestbursters and Facehuggers scared the shit out of us, we loved it just the same because it was freaking awesome. Remember this was 1987 a year when parents didn't coddle their children. If we could deal with Luke Skywalker losing a hand, Serpentor killing Duke and the traumatic death of Optimus Prime, we could certainly handle a little bloodshed and carnage. 

So that year when we started to see these cool posters that simply said "Schwarzenegger" and the title Predator on it. We were all excited, even if we had no clue what it was about, we just knew he was cool and heard it was going to be a good movie. Soon enough I got to finally watch Predator and it blew my mind. I loved everything about it, Arnold and his soldiers were the ultimate badasses and they were being hunted by what would become one of the greatest movie monsters of all time. 

Soon after came the Aliens vs Predator comics (as well as their individual series) from Dark Horse and that just helped take my fandom to a whole new level. I think the culmination of everything was when Kenner finally released their toy lines for both properties. I sadly don't remember which Predator was the first I ever got, but I remember one night in Manhattan going into some obscure toy store(so many good ones back then) and finding them for the first time, seeing the Scorpion Alien and being so happy to have a representation in plastic of these creatures. Eventually the Alien vs Predator 2 pack came out and that to me was the best it could get, the closest to the movies we would ever see in toy form. Fast forward to 2016 and the love for Predator remains the same but the quality of the collectibles have changed...and thankfully for the better! 

NECA the company who has brought so many great cinematic characters to life in the form of awesome and highly detailed action figures has had the Predator (and Alien) licenses for quite some time now.  Years prior McFarlane toys reintroduced the properties to modern day collectors with solid if not imperfect interpretations of the main creatures. They eventually did only the few main creatures for each film and that was it. Eventually NECA acquired the license and have been churning out series after series of successful Predators, Aliens and even integral human characters like Schwarzenegger's Dutch and Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley. With improved sculpts and articulation, these figures have set the new standard for the properties and continue to be a gold mine for the company. They have even updated those old Kenner lines and recreated the characters who were such zany creations as Lava Planet Predator and Cracked Tusk Predator and updated them to modern standards with popular results. During their run they provided us with a few great looking 1/4 scale Predators already, Masked and unmasked versions of the Jungle Hunter (Predator 1) and City Hunter (Predator 2) as well as a few other Predator characters. Their latest is a "Special Edition" of the Jungle Hunter and it lives up to that title. 

Boxed 1/4 scale Predator

As anyone who has purchased a NECA figure and more specifically one of their Predator figures knows, the sculpting and likeness on the figures is generally top notch. That is the case here as well. This new 1/4 scale Predator looks as if it stepped off the screen and into your home. The attention to detail is superb and everything looks as it should. From the actual netting (not painted on netting) to the skull band across his chest. This Predator perfectly recreates the iconic look from the original film. The figure comes with the usual multiple points of articulation and it also includes an extra right hand made into a fist as well in the event you want to have him in more of striking pose on his gauntlet equipped arm.

One of the big selling points on this new version of the Jungle Hunter Predator is the inclusion of LED lights in his helmet and wrist computer. It was something that when I originally heard about it I didn't care too much about it one way or another. However after seeing it in person, I find it to be a very cool addition that while I won't have them on much, they are still fun for photographing and showing off to friends  It is another nice detail that NECA has added to give the figure some extra value and wow factor. It works really well, particularly in the computer gauntlet control panel that powers his helmets and weaponry as well as controls the nuclear bomb housed within as seen in the film. ( Note in order to operate the lights on the helmet you need to carefully remove the helmet, then pull out the plastic strip inside that keeps it in place. Instructions for both are on the bottom of the box)

Light Up LED Wrist Gauntlet

The poseability on the Predator is pretty good, I generally try not to mess around too much with joints for fear of loosening them too much. However the Predator has cut joints as opposed to ball joints at his hips so his range of motion there is limited but the figure looks all the better for it, but you won't be getting him in any Predator like crouching positions. Still there is enough there to get him in some pretty cool and natural looking stances.  

Paint applications on the Predator is pretty close to flawless. Everything is neat and as it should be, all shading and blending is done perfectly. The weathering on the helmet and equipment is also nicely handled. The skin even has a nice gloss to it that makes it feel more "alive."

Detailed look at paint apps and weathering on bladed gauntlet.

The Predator is easily one of the greatest sci fi alien creatures put to film. I don't think many will debate this statement. In my opinion it is second only to another famous space creature, the Xenomorph from the Alien series. The two 20th Century Fox icons have a long history of butting heads throughout their existence. Starting with the aforementioned Dark Horse comic series and one of the coolest moments in the Predator franchise, the scene in Predator 2 where Danny Glover's Lt. Hartigan discovers the Predator's trophy room aboard their ship and we see clear as day an Alien skull hanging on the wall. I remember seeing that and losing my mind. While sadly the actual Alien vs Predator films ranged from awful to terrible, their most recent pairing in figure form is something to rejoice over. Two months ago we reviewed NECA's 1/4 Alien from the original film. (known to studios fans as Big Chap) We gave it rave reviews and it's arrival only made us more excited to receive our Predator. The two look fantastic together and could easily be the centerpiece of any Alien and Predator fan. As they both stand approximately 20 and 22 inches tall. They are impressive. 

1/4 scale Jungle Hunter Predator and 1/4 Scale Alien Xenomorph

The Special Edition Jungle Hunter Predator is a must buy for Predator fans. It's price point at just around a 100 bucks makes it a great value. Especially given the size and detail it possesses. There are plenty of Predator items and collectibles on the market. Some are very nice, but you would be hard pressed to find one this cool for such a deal. The only qualm I might have is that it would have been awesome for it to come with the unmasked head as well, but that would have certainly added to the price and would have taken away another opportunity for NECA to maximize profits later on by releases a maskless version. I highly recommend this figure to anyone who is on the fence, I find that if you have even the slightest interest, any worries about the price or the figure will be nullified once you pull it out of it's box and set it up for display (OPEN YOUR TOYS PEOPLE)  If you wanted to look at it in the box you could have left it at the store! This guy deserves to be seen in all his glory because Dutch would be wrong to call this figure an "Ugly Motherfucker."

You can purchase the figure at the following locations 

NECA EBAY STORE (NOW IN STOCK)

NECA ON AMAZON (In Stock)

TOYS R US (Pre-Order with Free Shipping)

Big Bad Toy Store (pre-order)

It is not an overstatement to say Alien is a masterpiece.  Ridley Scott's seminal sci fi horror film is a work of art and it owes a great deal to it's titular creature designed by H.R. Giger. It is without a doubt in my opinion the greatest movie monster ever created. We have seen plenty of movies with aliens, yet none feel quite as frightening, fully realized and extraterrestrial as the Xenomorph. It has been 36 years since the original Alien film was released and no creature seen since (aside from it's buddy the Predator) has had the cultural impact or longevity as Giger's creation.  

Alien has spawned countless merchandise throughout the years. From Kenner's original 1979 Alien figure, to their full blown toy line in 1992. Aliens have always been well represented on collector's shelves. More recently highly detailed incarnations have been available from the likes of McFarlane, Hot Toys and of course the current license holder NECA. 

NECA has done an outstanding job with the license paying extra attention to detail and releasing versions and characters never before seen. Their latest and in my opinion most impressive thus far (along with their recent Alien Queen release of course) is this revamped version of their 1/4 scale original Alien commonly known to fans as "Big Chap." I initially missed out on the original release from a few years ago, but upon seeing the newest versions promo photos, I knew I wouldn't miss out on this one. How does it stack up in hand? Lets take a look.

packaged promo photo from NECA

In hand photo of production item .

Now as great as the promo photos looked the moment I removed it from its shipping container I was even more impressed. Right off the bat the first thing that struck me was the beautiful paint application done to the figure. In the right light it looks like a Giger painting come to life. Upon removing it from it's packagine, you realize how mammoth this thing is. The Alien features all the usual multiple points of articulation, including the jaw which opens to reveal the patented "inner mouth" which also extends outward when desired. It stands at 22 inches tall as opposed to the usual 18 inches 1/4 human figures generally reach, Making it an accurate height in comparison. 

One thing of note for anyone interested in purchasing one of these. There are two different versions out there. The variant being all tied to the mouth. Some like the ones in the NECA promotional figures have the tranluscent lip more closed. Others like the one I received (and prefer) have the lip a bit more curled. The coinciding inner mouth as well is different in each of these with one have a closed mouth and the other open (as you can see in my photos.)

As collectors, we have to decide for ourselves what an item is worth and if it is a good representation of the character you are a fan of. In this size, the Alien comes with a higher price tag but at price tag of approximately $100.00 it is still decidedly more affordable and a great value than many of the other Alien collectibles out there. Many of them aren't nearly as impressive as this is. 

Alien standing with NECA Classic Predator figure.

There aren't really any negative things to say about this piece. Truthfully it is my favorite Alien collectible I own and a must have for fans. I can say though that I have an issue with a very loose knee joint that I have already contacted customer service about replacing, but that happens from time to time on mass produced items and NECA is generally very good about helping in that area. I cannot stop taking photos of it, as you can see it looks great and movie accurate in low light but holds up and looks great in bright lighting as well. NECA has done a fine job of providing fans the opportunity to add a new revamped version of the Xenomorph to their collections and while the price may be understandably too high for some, the quality and value is certainly there. It is a centerpiece type of item that should be grabbed while it is still at retail as it will undoubtedly climb in price  and value soon enough. 

 Check out some more of our photos to help you make the decision on whether or not you want one of these guys taking up residence in your home. 

to sboltonjr " Thanks for the Alien game and the concern, yes those emails were really me haha !"

Jason Voorhees is no stranger to being immortalized in plastic. Throughout the years there have been a slew of Jason figures of varying degrees of quality readily available to fans and collectors alike. I myself can trace back the beginnings of my current collecting habits to one fateful day in 1998 at a Spencer's Gifts store in the mall, where I first laid eyes upon a Jason figure from the very first Movie Maniacs series from McFarlane toys. I was majorly impressed with the sculpting detail put into the piece. It was something I had never seen before in an action figure. At the time I wasn't really a collector per say, but I figured, well this would be cool to have on a shelf somewhere since my name is Jason, and I was a fan of the character and horror films in general. Fast forward to 2015 (yikes, that was 17 years ago) and horror collectors (myself included) have a new go to company for their fix, NECA. 

NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) burst onto the action figure scene in 2002 (or so my quick Google search would leave me to believe). One of the first figures they released which quickly helped make a name for themselves was an 18 inch Jason figure from Friday the 13th part 7. This was something fans of McFarlane's movie maniacs line were clamoring for for years to go along with their Freddy, Michael Myers and Leatherface figures. NECA delivered (along with a long thought to be impossible 18 inch Pinhead figure as well) and from there on never looked back, producing various versions of Jason throughout the years. From the Freddy vs Jason version to the now extremely popular NES Friday the 13th Game inspired 8-Bit Jason. Now they have released the newest and possibly best Jason figure for your collection, Ultimate Jason Voorhees. 

Based on his appearance in the 6th Friday the 13th film "Jason Lives" this version is part of the current Ultimate line from NECA that features definitive versions of iconic characters. They have already released Freddy Krueger, Leatherface and Terminator's T-800. I can safely say Jason is another welcome addition to the series. 

Part of the appeal of the Ultimate line is undoubtedly the packaging. NECA has done a really nice job of designing these thus far, utilizing the always preferred original one sheet poster imagery for the front flap of the box, which opens up to display the figure and all it's accessories. 

As you can see above, the figure comes fully articulated along with a nice stash of accessories. The only thing I would have liked to be included here that isn't is an interchangeable open left hand, but that is a minor quibble. I have read some people state the mask is a bit too narrow and based on some stills from the film, I am inclined to agree, however overall it still looks good and certainly does the job. I especially love the inclusion of the tombstone and fence post. Things like that are what make the Ultimate line extra fun for die hard fans. 

I was really happy they decided to go with this particular version of Jason, as Jason Lives is definitely one of the high points in the series and the look hasn't gotten enough attention when it comes to the merchandise front. It's is an interesting design as it's the first appearance of "zombie Jason" but not the full on rotted look from the following film. One thing to note is that the mask does not have actual eye holes. It is simply painted black where the eye holes would be, whether or not this was done to replicate the fact that in the film the eyes were covered with a black mesh to hide the actors eyes or not is up for debate and something I may ask NECA about. If the covered holes bother you, they can easily be drilled out to make way for the man behind the mask. I initially thought that it would bother me, but upon receiving him, I didn't give it a second thought. The overall paint apps on the figure are very well done and neat. No smudging or bleeding and all the colors are vibrant with the right amount of wash applied to bring out the details of the sculpt. This also helps replicate the appropriate dirt and grit on this clothing, particularly on his gloves. This guy stands out nicely when placed next to other Jason figures, (something I would have illustrated here if I wasn't too lazy to dig out the others I own) and he also looks fresh when surrounded by his other boogeymen brethren. 

Overall this figure is one of NECA's coolest to date and certainly one of the best Jason figures ever made. A few minor nitpicks shouldn't be enough to deter anyone from picking this one up. It is an ideal Jason figure for collectors and casual fans alike. The avid collectors should be happy to add this latest Jason figure to their collection, while a casual consumer, at the price point of only about 22 bucks can add a highly detailed version of this iconic character to their shelf or desk or even under the Christmas tree. NECA has done it again here and shown that the Ultimate line once again lives up to it's name. 

Check out a few more photos we snapped of this badass figure below that should help you decide if it is worth your hard earned moolah.