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HELPING YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR FIGURE(S)!
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" gets the McFarlane's treatment in this release inspired by the classic Dr Suess tale of an anti-santa who tries, and fails to stop Christmas. This set aims to please fans of the Grinch after the disappointment of the 2000 movie. Trying to right the wrongs of previous toy releases based on this popular Dr Suess work McFarlane have release four dioramas as well as a deluxe boxed set all of which are based on the original animated version. The paint work is also a general improvment on previous animated set with a cleaner, neater fresher look to it. The use of black lines here works well giving it a cartoonish animated look. There is a good use of solid bold colors throughout this line with nothing being overdone or over washed. Perhaps the set paintwork is on the Mean One set where there is a use of bright unique colors making all its details different and eye catching. Bearing in mind that this is McFarlane's, who are known for their lack of articulation, and these are dioramas sets rather than individual action figures it isn't too surprising that there is very little in the way of articulation. Personally I prefer them like this as I tend to display my figures rather than "play" with them. But I'm sure others will disagree and would've liked to have seen more articulation.
This set looks great and the sculpting on the evil grin and the raised eyebrows, the textured effect of the fur and the added detail really add to the overall effect of this figure making this set very impressive. The Grinch can't stand on his own though but as the figure fits closely with the x-ray it is unlikely you'd want to pose him on his own anyway.
His right leg is slightly bent which looks a little odd but then maybe this is how he was portrayed in the animation. The base features snowy ground with blue highlights as in the cartoon to add authenticity to the look. The added tree is what holds the attachment for the x-ray suspended from his chest. The Grinch is fixed to the base by three pegs which allow him to pop on and off fairly easily but at the same time keep him secure on the base. Figure Specs Grinch stands 4½ inches tall, articulated at neck. Custom base is 5½ inches wide, 3¼ inches deep; includes 3½-inch tall pine tree and heart size diagram. The scuplting generally is very good and closely matches the images from the original show which is sure to please it's many fans. Many of the sets details could have easily have been painted on but true to McFarlane's reputation for detail these are have been sculted such as the edge lines of the bricks and floorboards.
A minor flaw with this set is that the Grinch's head looks to be the same as that used on the "Heart" set, which although only a minor flaw I would have preferred to have seen a new sculpt for this. As already mentioned the detail on this set is very impressive but a little hint with this set is to clip the two parts of the wall together before fixing it to the base. Figure Specs Grinch stands 3 ¼ inches at top of hat. Articulated at neck. Custom base is 6¾ inches wide, 5 1/8 inches tall, and includes fireplace with stockings, log and Christmas garland. Base interlocks with “Cindy Lou Who” figure to create complete scene. There is less detail on the Grinch in this set and the overall effect is rather disappointing but that said it is a fairly ambitious set. Max is sculpted with a single antler and is articulated so that he will drop forward when you move the Grinch. Max doesn't have the "texturing" that the Grinch has to give the "fur" look and as a result looks less impressive.
The base for this is very impressive with great sculpting and excellent paintwork especially on the rocks to give it a truly three dimensional feel. This set also has the added action feature of replicating the show were the Grinch, after attaching the antler to Max, drops over onto his chin with his back legs in the air. Unfortunately though it doesn't work well and is difficult at best to achieve and is probably one of the worst action features McFarlane's have had on a figure to date. Personally I think they would have been better keeping it as a basic diorama without the action feature. Figure Specs At his highest point, on Grinch’s hat, he is 3 inches tall and articulated at the neck. Max is I¼ inches high and 3½ inches to the top of his antler. Articulated at neck, hips and ankles. Features play action – pull Grinch back and Max leans forward and head goes down under the weight of antler. Custom base is 6 7/8 inches wide, 4 3/8 inches deep, 6 5/8 inches at highest point. This set is probably the most pleasing set to the eye and looks fantastic. However I think it is likely to be the least popular of the four solely due to the subject matter. The sculpting is excellent and probably the best in this line with good detail. A nice touch are the metal rather than plastic antennae on her head.
On it's own this is a nice set but unfortunately it will look odd with the others due to Cindy Lou's proportions. To fit in with the others she needs to be a lot smaller, but then who would pay the money for the set? This set has more parts than the others, all of which have pegs or holes to attach them. The wall again comes in two pieces but on this set it is best to attach them separately to the base first and then joining them. There is also the red bulb, a package and the tree all of which attach to the floor. Finally there is the wreath which she can easily hold in her hands. All in all this could have been better and maybe with hindsight Cindy Lou should have been included in one of the other sets as an "extra". On the down side though the proportions are very much out of place. Considering this set has been made to join with the Mean One set it is fairly obvious. In the show Cindy Lou is seen to carry a red Christmas Tree bulb which was huge, in this set we still have the same bulb but it is way out of proportion the the ones on the tree making it look a little odd and out of place. On a final note these figures come packaged in the new smaller McFarlane clamshell displays. But despite the smaller size the figures themselves are displayed well and MIBers will be pleased. The graphics on the box are very good and each box comes with some information on the show on the back which is a nice touch. Figure Specs Cindy Lou stands 2 3/8 inches tall, articulated at neck. Custom base is 6 3/8 inches wide, 5¼ inches tall and includes wreath, Christmas tree, gift and garlands. Base interlocks with You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch figure to create complete scene. The Grinch and Max sit atop Mount Crumpet their makeshift sledge full of the Christmas present that they've stolen from the people of Whoville. With a look of evil glea in his eye The Grinch looks back on the town relishing the thought that he had stopped Christmas. But to his horror he relizes that the townsfolk are still enjoying the Christmas and his plans lay in ruins. This deluxe box set compliments the series one action figures based on this popular animated version of the Dr Suess book of the same name.
The first series of action figures, despite a few minor flaws, were overall a big hit with fans and collectors, closely resembling the characters in the show as they did and certainly a big improvement on the disastorous 2000 movie. Compared to previous deluxe sets this is relatively small with the Grinch himself barely measures an inch in height, but the set itself is approx 8 x 8 inches. As a result there is little detail on The Grinch and Max and the best sculpting here is on the sleigh piled high with parcels. The sculpting on the mountain is also excellent keeping the animated feel to it with some nice texturing on the snow and rocks. Overall, considering the scale of the figures the sculpting is pretty good but I would have preferred a bigger scale but that would also have meant a bigger price, of course. As with the sculpting the paintwork also suffers due to the smaller scale of the figures here although again considered their size its not bad. The use of blue to create a shadow affect works as well here as it did in the animation and adds to the overall effect of the piece. Other than the action feature there is no real articulation on this set and the action features consists of the sled tipping forward and Max dangling on a length of string. This set is for the adult collector who loved the show as a kid and meant for looking at rather than playing with despite the the "action" feature.
The packaging is rather large and bulking but this is partly due to the sets odd shape, but the accompanying artwork is above par. A note of warning when removing the set from the tray, be careful not to tug too hard or you risk breaking the string that holds Max in place, so cut or remove that first. Figure Specs From bottom of Mt. Crumpit base to top of sleigh measures 7½ inches (when sleigh is tipped, that measurement is 8¼ inches at highest point). Grinch figure measures approximately 1 1/8 inches tall; Max is approximately 7/8 inches long. Base is 8 inches wide, 3¾ inches deep.
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