Hot Toys VGM: Albert Wesker- Review

Greetings heroes/citizen. “Every day, humans come one step closer to self destruction! I’m not destroying the world, I’m saving it!”, this is one of most memorable quotes from Albert Wesker. A power hungry yet brilliant character from the popular video game by Capcom, Biohazard (Resident Evil). Albert Wesker first appeared as a supporting character for the first video game series and to cut a long story short, he is a one bad ass villain in the latest series Biohazard 5 (BH5). Today I will write review of the action figure made by Hot Toys, Video Game Masterpiece Albert Wesker Midnight Version .

This is the 3rd piece for the Biohazard 5 series by Hot Toys, you can read my last post Sheva Alomar and Chris Redfield here and here. This action figure was released on November of 2009, I got mine weeks after the release date.Retail price for this action figure is around $130-$170.

The color scheme of the box is the same with the last 2 BH5 action figures by HT. They borrowed the original graphics of the game and nicely slap it on the box . No sleeve, just a magnetic flap cover, with a large window on the box. The box itself is a work of art, you can’t just take the action figure out and throw away the box, it’s that good, really. Inside the box you’ll find Albert Wesker safely laid on a plastic tray/bubble. Unlike Sheva’s plastic tray, which I don’t understand why they did that, this tray is very collector friendly. You can take him out of the tray and put it back with no hassle. Included is the box is the action figure itself, the accessories and an instruction sheet.

The first thing I really love about this action figure is the costume. It’s mind blowing, the material is soft and flexible, but you don’t want to over stress it. The material although is flexible it may crack and in worst case, tear. For some, this kind of costume is not their cup of tea, because in time the material will crack, peel and then tear. You can try use leather/vinyl protector to protect it, just a suggestion, I’m not telling you to do that. The design of the costume is 99% accurate if you compare it to the game’s artworks. The pattern and texture looks unbelievable. Hot Toys are raising the bar again, like always.The tiny squares pattern was printed on the coat. The collar is glued and sewn down, so it’s fixed that way, you can’t lift it up. Personally I think it’s a good decision because the collar will pull back up and that will not look good. If I have to complain about the costume, it’s the belt’s buckle. I think it’s a bit off scale, too big, it make him looks weird without the coat on.

Then the headsculpt,it’s the same method they use to light up the eyes for Iron Man MK2 and MK3. The l.e.d is inside the clear joint. The switch is hidden on the back of his neck, there’s a clear plastic strip to be removed before you an use the light up feature. If you see closely at the back of his head, you will notice that the head is constructed by a several parts. They try to hide the line, but I think they fail. It’s too obvious to the naked eyes. That’s the only thing I hate about the headsculpt. But in terms of sculpt, Yuli really did a great job, the hair is realistic, the facial lines are not exaggerated or over done. I like the calm expression of, I can’t imagine how it can be done in other expressions.

The body is the new slim body with extra sculpt on the arms( I think this is the first time they use it). I thought it was a rubber muscle for the arms, but it is plastic not rubber. The boots are not just slip in kind of boots, they made it with joints inside, so there is no bare feet for the body. Hot toys like to make this kind of boots now.

I love action figure because it can make different kind on of poses, and this Albert Wesker can do almost any pose I want. Some restriction may happened, especially on the shoulder when you wear him the coat, and the knees are restricted by the pants. I can’t get him to hold the Stinger missile launcher, he just looks weird holding it. Like I mentioned before the boots is made with joints inside, so this really improve the articulation of that part. You can bent the ankle easily now. Ball joint for the neck works nicely so are the elbow joints.

Unlike Chris and Sheva, Albert Wesker in this Midnight costume, don’t have any ridiculous pouches to be installed. The only things that you need to put on him is the blade sheath, PDA holder and he’s ready. Other than that accessories he also came with 3 pistols (I forgot to put the Revolver in the last picture), 4 if you count MP5, 2 pistol’s mags, 3 barrels shotgun,Stinger missile launcher,holster,watch, a pair of fist, shades and extra wrist joints. All the weapons crafted are very detail. The magazine pouches are too big for one magazine but to small to fit 2,I hate it.

Paint is awesome, the coat was painted embossed with tiny squares so is the pants.I really appreciate the hard work of JC Hong into painting this headsculpt. You can see skin tone, freckle on his face, the hair looks more real with the paint applications. The weapons and other accessories were also painted nicely, no bleed and smudges.

This action figure is a must for those that already have the rest of BH5 action figures, yes you can get the S.T.A.R.S  version, but this is the costume he wear in BH5. The sculpt is great, paint work not disappointing, generous with accessories and I think the retail price is not as expensive as other lines. If you just starting to collect Hot Toys, this is a good piece for you to check out, I really recommend it. If you still don’t have it,and you thinking of getting this I suggest you to get it as soon as possible, the price is not going to be lower just like any oher Hot toys Masterpiece series.

I give this action figure;

Packaging: 4.5/5

Design/sculpt: 5/5

Articulations: 4.5/5

Accessories: 5/5

Paint job: 5/5

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