Review – Hive Wars Predator

NECA dug into the past with their most recent wave of Predator action figures, going all of the way back to the Kenner Predator line of the nineties to search for inspiration. Many people have been waiting for this subline all year, and now that I’ve opened the Hive Wars Predator* — one of three figures inspired by those old Kenner toys — I can report that NECA did an amazing job. It may not be a perfect toy, but it’s a lot of fun!

Packaging

Also inspired by Kenner’s work of the 1990s — just how many modern lines are influenced by Kenner? — the packaging looks sweet and really helps with the retro feel of the toys. Custom artwork, a sharp photo of all three of the “Kenner” Predators, and even a grid design all come together to make this a design I could see someone displaying as a MOC piece. But I opened mine and threw the packaging away. Yes, I throw away most toy packaging.

Sculpt

As the Nerditis review of the toy says, the Hive Wars Predator* action figure is a mix of old and new. Regardless of the origin of the parts — the Nerditis review identifies the new pieces as the “head, left arm, right forearm, right shoulder pad, the back of his loincloth, and his shins” — the sculpt is phenomenal and the total figure looks gorgeous. That webbed pattern across the body is sculpted in place and every little detail is sharp and perfect. A really great-looking toy.

Paint

Hive Wars Predator*, as I already said, is a great-looking toy. And while the sculpt is a lot of the reason for the appearance, I cannot deny that the paintwork is incredible and really helps the toy look so very awesome. The details are sharp, and the dark wash across the body gives the toy a lot of visual depth. And those eyes!!! Between the texturing and coloring of the helmet — and the green of the eyes — the toy’s paint is truly remarkable.

And it seems I’m not alone in being captured by the Hive Wars Predator* action figure’s eye coloring. In his review, Poe Ghostal writes:

The paint work is also excellent. I’m particularly impressed by the green of the visor within the mask – I’m not sure if it’s a separate piece entirely, or just expertly painted.

Articulation

The packaging for NECA’s Hive Wars Predator* action figure claims over 25 points of articulation, and what’s there works fairly well and really helps with the toy’s poseability. The figure has:

• Head – Ball-jointed neck.
  
• Torso – Swivel waist. The shoulder cannon also swivels.
  
• Arms – Swivel/hinge shoulders and elbows, swivel wrists.
  
• Legs – Ball/hinge hips that swivel (this type of hip design leaves me trying to see through the plastic to see the mechanical design), double hinge knees, and ball-jointed ankles.

Accessories

The shoulder cannon and wrist blades can be called accessories, but they’re such a part of the Hive Wars Predator* action figure’s basic body that I almost consider them extensions of the basic sculpt. The bladed staff, curling and twisting plastic at work, is the one “true” accessory, but it’s enough because the figure looks awesome holding it with either one or two hands. I wish that the plastic wasn’t so warped and soft, but maybe I can heat and straighten the staff and make everything better.

Closing Thoughts

NECA’s Hive Wars Predator* action figure has a couple of slight issues — on mine, the swivel joint on the shoulder blaster tore and the weapon hangs in place now — but overall it’s great and makes me want to dig into the other two Kenner-inspired figures in the line. Even if you do not collect NECA’s Predator action figure series I’ll say you should give this toy a shot. And you say you do collect the line? Then you must have this one. Between the coloring and the sculpt it’s awesome . . . and don’t you want an awesome toy in your collection?