For STAR TREK fans and casual followers alike, this should be one helluva weekend.
For Geeks, one of the surest portents that coolness is afoot is the inexorable onslaught of movie tie-in toys. Given that this is the Geekiest weekend we're likely to have all year, and that we're also covering TREK Blu-Rays, soundtracks, etc., we'd be remiss if we didn't go all the way and take a look at some toys from the new movie as well. Many of us have been chasing TREK-related spaceships and action figures all of our lives - our stopping now doesn't seem terribly likely.
Paralleling TREK's return to theaters after a 7 year absence, Playmates Toys has rejoined the franchise after hiatus of over a decade - releasing a line of figures, vehicles, and "role playing" paraphernalia based on designs, characters, and props seen in J.J. Abrams' ballsy reinvention.
I was curious about what brought Playmates back to TREK, and ran a few e-mails past Paul Fish, VP of Marketing & Product Development at Playmates. He was kind enough to discuss the intricacies of returning to the franchise with a fresh perspective.
"The reasons for returning to the Star Trek are both business- and geek-driven"
...said Fish.
"On the geek side, we love this property. We love the richness in characters, storyline and heritage, as well as its optimistic vision of the future. The opportunity to get involved in a TREK update using today’s filming technology, and a contemporary director like JJ Abrams, was too exciting to pass up. Plus, it allows me to justify to my wife that my addiction to watching TREK reruns at home is, in fact, 'research.' "
Which leads to an obvious question: what's different about Playmates' approach to STAR TREK this time around? Fish explains:
"The approach has been quite different for this range of product. Firstly, we've made a conscious effort to develop the line for both kids and collectors. The 3 3/4" scale allows for interaction with playsets like our TV-advertised transporter room. We've built in a collectible program into this sku, with the bridge and transporter room accessories packed out with the figures. The 6" scale is more collector-targeted, but again at mass channel prices. We've given these figures soft PVC clothing, for a more authentic look and feel."
A little known fact about the development of toys based on movies or TV shows: often, while developing the first wave of a product line, a toy company might have limited access to the designs upon which they're basing their product. At some point you've probably asked yourself why toyetic interpretations of some of your favorite characters or vehicles aren't more literal - this is why. Earlier waves in a line are often, to a certain extent at least, a "best guess"/"educated extrapolation" based on limited access to media from a movie or television production.
The development of Playmate's new STAR TREK line was no exception. But now that the cat's out of the bag, Fish says the company is...
"looking forward to giving fans everything they want."
The previous two paragraphs sound like an apology or explanation of some sort - they are not. As a whole, Playmates' first wave of material from Abrams' TREK works as a solid (and sometimes very well realized anchor for a line whose growth potential is vast given the textural richness, and ambient enormity, of Abrams' film.
NOTE: THERE MAY BE A FEW MINOR SPOILERS BELOW, as some toys will be contrasted against their bigscreen progenitors. Nothing too major will be revealed, but those wishing to remain ensconced in a Cone of Silence may wish to tread cautiously.
Technically, these figures, vehicles, and "role playing" props were to be released a few weeks back. However, a cursory check of Geek-friendly retailers in my neighborhood over the weekend turned up mixed results. Our local Super Target had new TREK toys on shelves since before launch (they'd broken embargo & and have consistently been thisclose to selling out), while no sign of the film's existence could be found at the Uber-Giganto WalMart across the street from said Target.
Our neighborhood Toys 'R' Us had much of PLaymates new line in stock, although Enterprises and Phasers were nowhere to be seen. In essence, the influx of TREK toys appears to be a work in progress.
What follows is a broad-stroke...pretty much stream-of-consciousness...perspective of some of (but not all of) Playmates' new STAR TREK line. We don't have access to some of the material released by Playmates, but know there's more out there - and we're mentioning everything below, even if it's only in passing.
First off, figure hunters should know there are actually two lines of "action figures": a 3.75" 'Galaxy Series' and 6" 'Warp Series'. The 3.75" line lacks much of the 6" figures' nuance in terms of sculpt and detail. However, the 3.75" figures are compatible with the new Enterprise bridge playset and Transporter Room playset, which you can see in action HERE (click the "Play" window at the bottom of the page). There is also a third wave of figures that don't fall under the "action figure" auspices as far as I'm concerned - the 12" 'Command Series'.
A few friends called me to bitch about "I can't believe Playmates didn't make bigger figures!", etc. - they were seeing only the 3.75" figures on the shelves at that moment. So, if you're going on a nerdtastic quest for Abramsverse figures, keep all of this in mind.
THE SIX INCH FIGURES - aka "The Warp Series"
(CLICK HERE for a clearer look at any of the figures referenced below).
"The Warp Series" includes "Original" Spock, new Spock, Cadet McCoy, Scotty, Cadet Chekov, Cadet Uhura, Sulu, Nero, and Pike.
KIRK. Strangely, "PineKirk" (wearing the Yellow Captain's shirt we see him donning briefly in the film) looks more like a young William Shatner in action figure form than Chris Pine does in the actual movie.
My first reaction to seeing a figure representing Simon Pegg as Montgomery Scott was "Wow - how weird is it to see a Simon Pegg action figure?" Then I recalled that this isn't actually the first time Simon Pegg has been rendered in tis form - two rather nice facsimiles of his SHAUN OF THE DEAD character can be found HERE and HERE.
Pegg's portrayal of Scotty in the film is a teeny bit whacked. But within his sandwich craving Scottish chest beats the heart of a hero - and we do see that hero shine in the film. Playmates' rendering of Pegg suggests the character's more heroic angle. Perhaps a future wave of figures will feature the subtly neurotic, giddily excited Scotty.
CLASSIC SPOCK. It's Old Spock - and any Spock is cool Spock as far as I'm concerned.
PIKE. The biggest disappointment in this lot. I've always been a major Bruce Greenwood fan and feel he's been perpetually under-appreciated. When I heard he was cast as Enterprise Captain Christopher Pike, I was delighted. Finally he'd have a role so prominent he'd be hard to overlook - playing a character pivotal to both The Original Series and J.J.'s reincarnation of the same. The figure...just doesn't do it for me. Doesn't capture the essence of either Greenwood, or his character (almost unrecognizable).
CADET MCCOY. Arguably the most vivid character in the film, and one of the best figures in this first "Warp Series" wave. We've come a loooonnnnng way from "Why the hell did they cast Karl Urban in this movie?!"
There are two other standouts in the 6" 'Warp' wave. NERO - Eric Bana's character in the movie. If this isn't "dead on", it's damn close...
...and QuintoSpock.
All 6" figures have clothing, for want of a better word. Rubberized overgarments that closely hug the figures' bodies & provide an interesting sense of dimension.
The modeling/pattern on the shirts of the Starfleet uniforms is cleanly etched and surprisingly consistent, and smaller details (like rank insignias around shirt cuffs, or snaps on uniform boots) are sharply etched and painted.
Starfleet personnel come with the expected Phasers, Communicators, Data Pads, etc. - all supported by a utility belt. Nero comes with a mean looking multi-bladed jabby cepter(ish) thing. All figures come with display stands (the Starfleet "arrowhead" insignia, for example) appropriate to their affiliation.
12" Original Spock
I wish someone had come up with a better name than "Original Spock" - it's too easy for haters to call Quinto's portrayal of the character "Diet Spock", or somesuch, in comparison. I'm just being snarky here to illustrate a point. Quinto did a rather fine job in the movie, all things being equal, under very daunting circumstances.
12" Original Spock - works really well. You feel like you're looking at Nimoy. In 12" figure form, he appears a bit less haggard than he does in the actual film - and comes with swappable right hand allowing him to 'grip' (phaser included), or perform the iconic Vulcan salute.
ENTERPRISE
This is an odd one. The prototype pictures we saw of the toy a while back...even the final packaging of the toy itself...significantly undersell the quality of the product as far as I'm concerned. I.e. the Enterprise is better than I thought it would be before getting my hands on it.
Playmates' new Enterprise captures the Jules Verne-meets interstellar hot rod/roadster quality of Abrams' Enterprise quite effectively.
Multiple light sources (forward deflector array, the front and back of the warp nacelles, a new energy pathway visible along the bottom of the warp nacelles, the impulse drive, and the "nipple" domes on top of and beneath the saucer) shine brightly. Sounds FX are loud and crisp.
Some past STAR TREK ships have experienced problems with components falling off...or being "floppy"...as elements of the vessels were shipped disassembled (to facilitate more compact packaging). I don't recall if Playmates was responsible for this or not. Either way, this particular Enterprise is solidly constructed - it's pre-assembled out of the box, and wobble free.
My biggest beef with this toy? It has a lot of screws. 7 in the bottom of the saucer section alone, plus an additional two along the bottom of the primary hull. YES, it's only a toy...and YES, toys have screws. But...ya know? Seems like at least some of those distractingly shiny silver screws could've been masked in some way.
This said, the new Enterprise toy is fun. My hunch is once fans see how Abrams presents this ship, these little things will be flying off of shelves.
ROLE PLAYING "ACCESSORIES"
PHASER
This may well be my favorite toy out of the current line-up. It's a highly reflective, chromed out iteration of phasers we've seen before...by way of FLASH GORDON. The configuration itself very much evokes Phasers seen in STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER.
In Abrams' film, Phasers operate more like a FLASH GORDON weapons than the weapons we've seen in previous TREKs. His Phasers have the retro "sweep" of FG guns, and even sounds like them (their pulse beams 'sputter' - literally and figuratively - like old time Sci Fi 'ray guns'). No humming, solid beams here.
It's muzzle emitter pivots in a cradle, snapping from "stun" to "kill" (or whatever these settings are called now) instantly. On the toy, this emitter only pivots to one setting & must be re-set manually. In the film, the emitter snaps back and forth as commanded (no manual adjustment). If the line is successful, perhaps a future reissue of the Phaser might adjust this.
On top of the toy, an amber switch "powers up" the Phaser - accompanied by appropriate sound FX.
TRICORDER
As you see above, the Tricorder...is actually branded "Tricorder" on its flip-up hood.
So, in the Abramsverse, does this mean "Tricorder" is a generic device (a la 'cell phone')? A specific brand name? Phasers aren't labeled 'Phaser', for example...so I don't get it.
A matte black framing hugs a chrome body (nicely accessorizing the Phaser - I can't believe I just wrote that).
Similar to The Original Series device of the same name, a flip-up hood reveals a control panel on top, and a drop down shelf on the device's front panel allows for two scanning functions - toggling light and sound displays unique to either function.
COMMUNICATOR
As in The Original Series, the new Communicator "chirps" when it's protective hood is flipped. A blue backlight illuminates the Communicator's display dome (which appears to show some kind of starfield/gas cloud?). On the front of the Communicator (under the hood), small buttons on either side of a control wheel toggle dialogue from either Kirk or Spock.
Lightweight with an easily flip-able lid, this is probably the most toyish of the role playing accessories...but is a must have for anyone already geeking out over Phasers or Communicators.
THE TRANSPORTER ROOM
Expanding on an idea introduced by Playmates' during its TREK: TNG era, this playset allows users to place a 3.75" figure into the Transporter chamber of Abrams' Enterprise and, though a magical blending of lights and mirrors, 'dematerialize' said figure. The figure literally seems to disappear, and this element of the toy works well.
Whereas Playmates TNG Transporter Room toy (circa 1994, I believe?) was more or less locked down (i.e. "beam in" and "beam out" of the Transporter Room playset only), Playmates has added a new perk that is very cool in principle - the ability to re-locate the figure you're "beaming" via a small cylinder, and 're-materialize' it elsewhere.
And, that re-materialization effect works nicely as well.
What's frustrating here is the mechanics of actually pulling off the trick. It's easy enough to lock the magical transport tube into place within the Enterprise transporter chamber, but the figure tends to either slide out of the tube, or fall over, during the re-materialization process. Kinda sucks some fun out of it.
A brilliant idea that's never fully realized.
HERE's a link showing the Transporter room playset in action.
All the way around, this is a successful relaunch by Playmates; only a few pesky missteps tarnish some rather fine work overall. There are even a few moments of inspiration for good measure - on/off switches on all of the devices prove surprisingly useful, for example. And, appropriately enough, the line demonstrates a notable evolution in overall design, style, and execution from Playmates' past TREK undertakings.
For an excellent retrospective of Playmates TREK toys from the past, CLICK HERE!
We'd like to thank the folks over at Playmates for offering their invaluable assistance, precious time, and boundless patience in pulling this article together. All is most appreciated. To track down Playmates TREK stuff in your area, CLICK HERE to jump to the rather well done TREK section of Playmates' website.
Below is a shamefully assembled embed showing the new Enterprise, and various Playmates accessories from the new movie, in action.
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