Merrick here...

Some viral for G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA seems to be making the rounds; this one caught my eye:

Why'd I notice this? Primarily because, for the last few days, I've been really enjoying Hasbro's Accelerator Suit Duke action figure (based on Sommers' new movie) & have been trying to come up with a legitimate cross-connect which would allow me to whack off about it here on the site.

Actually, I don't know if this is an "action figure", per se. It's pretty damn big and elaborate, so it may be classified differently. It's bit pricey ($60-$80 depending on where you shop), but it's among the Geeky-coolest toys I've come across in quite some time. If you're into battle suits, robo-warriors, etc? You have to at least find this on a shelf to check it out. Accelerator Suit Duke was even slick enough to coax Merrick's Fifteen Year Old Son out of his anti-social angst - he carried it around the house and played with it for probably ten whole minutes before becoming distracted by incoming texts. This is a record.

The figure includes:

** an auto-retracting grappling hook (it's not enough to pull the figure up, but the cord & hook whip back into its arm launcher)

** a "night vision" helmet visor which drops down with an electronic activation sound, character dialog, AND illuminates in a sickly green "night vision" color

** a mammoth machine gun is built into the character's arm - its barrel spins when firing

** parts of the figure move on their own (ex. - that machine gun arm raises and lowers by itself when toggled)

** various panels and features light up brightly

** multitude loud (and crisply amplified) sounds featuring movie phrases, helmet radio chatter, etc.

** Above all, the figures mouth moves a little when it talks, bringing the slightest hint of life to an otherwise emotionless face - a near perfect emulation of Channing Tatum.

Here's Hasbro's official video of the dolly in action:

The only real downside to the figure (besides its cost) is that built in handle on its back - with a trigger which moves the figure's legs and feet as you push the character along on his adventures. This handle can be folded into positions which make it look more like an organic component of Duke's armor, but...still...it looks like a big ol' toomah growing back there.

Personally, I think the above embed undersells the figure quite a bit. Therefore, if you guys are interested & you let me know in the Talkback below, I can throw together a crude/quick video demonstrating Accelerator Suit Duke's strengths - something like the crappy demo I constructed for the first wave of STAR TREK movie figures A FEW MONTHS BACK:

So, speak up if you'd like to know more!

Two factors of note:

1) I haven't seen the film yet, so this toy is standing on its own. And,

2) before anyone gets all snarky about me liking this because I must've been given it for free? I wasn't.

So, considering all of the crap people have been talking about the new movie (including myself) - this was a big surprise, and a lot of fun. Take a look at it if you get a chance. I've mostly found these guys at Target, only one (broken) at Toys 'R' Us, and orderable online HERE. Which, considering supplies, may be your best bet.

Enjoy!