Terminator 2: Judgment Day T-800 {Endoskeleton}

I had purchased the "T-800 {Endoskeleton}" figure mainly because I missed out on NECA's first offering under their "Cult Classics Series 3" line. According to NECA's website, it states that "the still-terrifying Endoskeleton has a newly tooled head and improved articulation, with over 20 moving parts and a Plasma Rifle accessory." What isn't mentioned is the exclusion of the highly detailed "Future War Base" that was found packaged with the "Cult Classics" Endoskeleton figure. Despite NECA's tantalizing description of their "new and improved" T-800 {Endoskeleton}, their execution was extremely lacking.


Flavor Text:

"TARGET IDENTIFIED

Specs: Model T-800 {Endoskeleton}

- Features SKYNET's most advanced control system

- Fully armored in a hyper-alloy sheath around vital areas

- Frictionless bearings in its joints allow the unit to maneuver through its range of motions faster than previous models

- In the event of critical damage, a secondary power source allows the unit a margin of time to complete its mission

- When set to autonomous mode, it can "learn" like a human being, actually becoming more efficient as time goes on"


The Good:

• The details of the T-800 {Endoskeleton} (pistons and wires found all over the body) are pretty spot on from what I remember from "Terminator 2: Judgment Day".
  

• A total of 21 points of articulation: (partially) swivel head, swivel/hinged shoulders, swivel "biceps", hinged elbows, swivel wrists, (limited) swivel waist, (partially) swivel legs, hinged knees, (partially) hinged feet, (open/close) "abdominal area" flap, and (open/close) "shoulder blades". I really don't understand why the Endoskeleton even has those movable parts (referring to the abdominal area and shoulder blades).
  

The Bad:

• The paint application on the T-800 {Endoskeleton} isn't that good. There are random stray (and quite visible) black marks.

• Lack of [working] accessories. It's definitely a great idea to include two [right] hands: 1x grasping the plasma rifle and 1x netural grip. However, the execution failed miserably. The pre-posed grip can't even hold onto its lousy plasma rifle! Why only two right hands? Why not include another left hand as well? Also what happened to the detailed base which was released in the "Cult Classics" line?

• Judging from the texture and feel of the Endoskeleton figure you can immediately tell it's made from cheap, low-grade [plastic] material. Who in their right mind would agree to pay for that?

• I just noticed this but the figure isn't balanced well. The Endoskeleton's right shoulder is visibly higher than its left shoulder. Even the (open/close flaps) "shoulder blades" aren't proportionate as well (the left one is higher than the right one). Also the arms are placed in such a way that it looks like the Endoskeleton is hunched over and not standing upright.

The Ugly:

• I immediately noticed that the Endoskeleton's eyes were sculpted and painted in a way that it looked like it was looking "upwards". I've seen all the photographs of this figure with the eyes staring out from the center. Can anyone explain why NECA decided to have all their Endos peering towards the sky?

• Seeing photos of the Endoskeleton with its jaw open, I immediately had to try it. Much to my dismay, the jaw had trouble staying open. After "playing" with the jaw for some time, it finally stayed open. However, I noticed the left-side wire around its jaw was sculpted a bit short. It wasn't that big of a deal, but then I began noticing a whole bunch of other flaws.

• When the T-800 is facing forward, the neck is already turned to the left. I've tried moving the neck back into the correct position, but to no avail. This also prevents the Endoskeleton from turning its head to the left.
  

• On the right-hand side of the Endoskeleton's chest area, the long wire wasn't properly connected to the "hole". I tried to move it back into place, but it was already glued out of place. (Great quality control there guys!).

• What really annoyed me was the pre-posed right hand. It's sculpted to hold the (only accessory) plasma rifle and yet it actually can't! What's the point of including accessories that don't even work? Even the plasma rifle accessory isn't straight, but curved. That's just really lame.

I purchased the "T-800 {Endoskeleton}" figure online via eBay for a total of $21.89. I recommend searching through eBay for better deals (but recently noticed that eBay sellers are trying hard to jack people). Go check out cornerstorecomics.com/amazingtoyz.com (both links bring you to the same website). I think they have the best deal out there so far, and from my experience with them, they ship on time and package your items in a secure manner. Also, check out bigbadtoystore.com if you want to purchase the entire set. They're pretty good about packaging and sending out item in a timely manner, but they seem to get their items later than other electronic retailers.

NOTE: I DO NOT REPRESENT EITHER CORNERSTORECOMICS/AMAZINGTOYZ OR BIGBADTOYSTORE. I HAVE NOT BEEN PAID TO MENTION THEIR NAMES. I AM ONLY RECOMMENDING THEIR SERVICES BASED UPON MY PAST EXPERIENCES WITH THEM.



Overall, the T-800 {Endoskeleton} is a huge disappointment. For those who've already purchased the Endoskeleton from the "Cult Classics" line, you guys got the better deal. For those of you who haven't purchased it, you can find it on eBay. Don't even bother getting the re-released/"re-tooled" Endo. This is definitely not worth the money.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day T-800 {Pescadero Escape}

Eagerly anticipating any news of additional Resident Evil 5 figures for this summer, I was bitterly disappointed to discover that NECA was releasing "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" figures. I recall NECA having already done "Terminator 2" in their "Cult Classics" line with their T-800 Endoskeleton several years earlier. However, after reading about other collectors' eager anticipation towards the T2 line and seeing photographs of the already packaged figures, curiosity got the better of me, and I ended up purchasing the "T-800 {Pescadero Escape}" figure. Lucky for me, I made a wise decision.


Flavor Text:

"TARGET IDENTIFIED

Specs: Model T-800 {Pescadero Escape}

- Under direct orders from John Connor, the T-800 sets out to rescue Sarah Connor from Pescadero State Hospital where she has been institutionalized for 10 years.

- Armed with a Winchester Shotgun the T-800 fights off the liquid metal T-1000, an advanced new prototype programmed to kill John. Ironically the same model Terminator that was once sent to kill Sarah has now come to protect John and reunite mother & son."


The Good:

• The level of detail on the T-800 {Pescadero Escape} figure is nothing short of amazing. The sculpt of the texture of the leather "biker" jacket looks quite real (it's made of plasticized rubber). There are even bullet holes in the back of Arnold's jacket (as seen in Terminator 2: Judgment Day)! Even the "belt buckle" parts of the leather jacket (at the bottom) are sculpted further enhancing the accuracy and realism of the on-screen character's clothing. The creases in the T-800's black shirt and pants are (as usual) superbly sculpted.
  

• The facial sculpt of Arnold's portrayal of the T-800 is just amazing. From the creases in his forehead down to his frown just screams "Arnold Schwarzenegger"! Even the sunglasses actually look good on his face.
  

• A total of 10 points of articulation: ball-jointed neck, ball-jointed shoulders, ball-jointed (hinged/swivel) elbows, swivel wrists, and swivel waist. Of all the articulation, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the highly detailed T-800 {Pescadero Escape} figure sported ball-jointed (both hinged and swivel) elbows. I hope this comes standard for all their figures.

• I was pleasantly surprised to see that paint application wasn't a problem this time.

The Bad:

• The T-800 {Pescadero Escape} comes with only one accessory: the Winchester Shotgun. It would've been nice to have included a pistol that was tucked in his front shirt (as in the movie). Also, additional pre-posed hands would've been really nice. Throw in a detailed base, and we're set. **Actually there's two accessories, if you include the "interchangeable head" (the T-800's head is interchangeable with any other T-800 [Arnold] figure!).**

• Despite the fact that the T-800 comes with approximately 12 points of articulation, I couldn't help but wish for a little more articulation, say, in the legs and knees.

• The T-800's left wrist refused to "swivel". After some persuasive pushing, it started to move, but not that much. I've read online of how to "un-stick" those joints, but I didn't pay for this figure to get extra work.

• The T-800 has a slight (balance) problem while standing up. It looks like he's somehow standing on his "tippie toes".

The Ugly:

• If you examine the pictures below, you'll notice that there's a giant "block" of plastic where the earpieces (on both sides) of the sunglasses are. The black paint is masterfully applied to the "flesh-colored" plastic "block" to designate that as part of the sunglasses. From far away, it's invisible to the naked eye. However, upclose, you can see the blocky ugliness (this also ruins the superb facial sculpt of the T-800's face).

I purchased the "T-800 {Pescadero Escape}" figure online via eBay for a total of $24.69. I recommend searching through eBay for better deals (but recently noticed that eBay sellers are trying hard to jack people). Go check out cornerstorecomics.com/amazingtoyz.com (both links bring you to the same website). I think they have the best deal out there so far, and from my experience with them, they ship on time and package your items in a secure manner. Also, check out bigbadtoystore.com if you want to purchase the entire set. They're pretty good about packaging and sending out item in a timely manner, but they seem to get their items later than other electronic retailers.

NOTE: I DO NOT REPRESENT EITHER CORNERSTORECOMICS/AMAZINGTOYZ OR BIGBADTOYSTORE. I HAVE NOT BEEN PAID TO MENTION THEIR NAMES. I AM ONLY RECOMMENDING THEIR SERVICES BASED UPON MY PAST EXPERIENCES WITH THEM.



Overall, the T-800 {Pescadero Escape} is an absolute "must-have" figure for any adult collector. The meticulous level of detail can be found all over this figure (from the "Arnold Schwarzenegger" likeness down to the detailed creases in his jeans). The only thing that keeps this figure from being the best figure is the lack of accessories. However, this T-800 renews my faith in NECA's action figure lines.