All the fun, violence, and sexiness of Buffy Anne Summers in a two-inch package.
Written: Apr 21 '05 (Updated May 16 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cool transforming feature, surprisingly good likeness, fun design, articulation
Cons: None...
The Bottom Line: Buffy slays tiny vampires. Better than none at all...
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| JediKermit's Full Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Palz Series 1 Buffy Summe... |
Okay, maybe not ALL the sexiness. But some.
Now that I'm a confirmed Buffy addict, I'm getting sucked into the Buffy merchandise. It doesn't help that one of my all-time favorite toy companies, Palisades Toys, is the one making them, or that they're very small, very cute, and very collectable. But they are. So, after some months of delay, I'm finally getting around to reviewing the Buffy the Vampire Slayer PALz.
PALz are two-inch tall "block figures." Sort of like LEGO minifigures, but bigger and more articulated. There are many different block figures on the market right now--you may have seen Kubricks or Minimates or Mez-Its in stores, and PALz are Palisades Toys versions. They've currently got Buffy and X-Files PALz in stores, and those are soon to be followed by Die Hard and other PALz lines.
But this is all about Buffy. The first series of Buffy PALz is meant to represent the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the second series of toys the second season, etc. And the first series is the one in stores now, so this is the perfect time to get on board with them. The first series includes Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, The Master, and Darla...and then there are some exclusives out there like Vampire Buffy, Angel, and a Cemetery three-pack. Most of those "transform" from one version of the character into another, in what must be a first for a figure of this size.
Buffy comes in the package dressed in a white blouse and black pants, with her hair pulled up in a characteristic ponytail...and some hair hanging down in her face. The skills of the designers can't be overstated here, because on a face that's less than half an inch tall, they've managed to capture the likeness of Sarah Michelle Gellar. The PALz style doesn't have a nose, but just the same, wow. Great work on the likeness. She's even got a tiny little "Slayer Cross" around her neck...better safe than sorry.
The articulation of these figures is extraordinary--if you think of your standard LEGO or Kubrick figure, it's pretty much got neck, shoulders, wrists, and hips. That's it. PALz have all that plus elbows, ball-socket shoulders and hips, waist, knees, and ankles. This and their light weight make them almost universally posable...nice for your office cubicle, no? Yes.
The "transforming feature" is put to good use here--you can turn her head around, and there's a "scared" Buffy face there. Put different hair (with sunglasses tucked on top of her head) on, and switch out her torso and arms, and you've got a Buffy In Black, ready to take on vampires at night.
Palisades Toys is known for their accessories, and they don't disappoint here. Each Buffy PALz comes with a unique Inkworks trading card, complete with photos on the front of the card and smart quotes on the back from the episode their PALz toy was taken from. Buffy comes with not just one stake but two (that dual-fisted action's especially nice) a pool cue (from the Bronze) book (this season they were still in school), and a tombstone. Each PALz in Series One comes with a tombstone, so once you've "collected" them all, you've basically got Sunnydale Cemetery...site of many Season One battles.
This is a great idea for a toy line, and although there are other Buffy action figures out there, the size, price, and design of these PALz make them the number one choice for me. You can find them online, or at retailers like Media Play, Suncoast, and Sam Goody...they make a great gift for the Slayer in your life. Pick some up today!
MORE “PALz”
X-FILES
Agent Mulder http://www.epinions.com/content_182360247940
Agent Scully http://www.epinions.com/content_182373224068
Frohike http://www.epinions.com/content_183027273348
Deep Throat http://www.epinions.com/content_183107423876
Flukeman http://www.epinions.com/content_183132262020
Conundrum http://www.epinions.com/content_183138881156
Donnie Pfaster http://www.epinions.com/content_183279390340
Gray Alien http://www.epinions.com/content_183391850116
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Buffy http://www.epinions.com/content_180773293700
Willow http://www.epinions.com/content_180776570500
Xander http://www.epinions.com/content_180782665348
Giles http://www.epinions.com/content_180819103364
The Master http://www.epinions.com/content_180851216004
Darla http://www.epinions.com/content_180860325508
Angel http://www.epinions.com/content_180931825284
MORE BUFFY REVIEWS:
Buffy Season One http://www.epinions.com/content_148969197188
Buffy Season Two http://www.epinions.com/content_158297394820
Buffy Season Three http://www.epinions.com/content_161138445956
Buffy Season Four http://www.epinions.com/content_173637602948
Buffy Season Five http://www.epinions.com/content_178931404420
Angel Season One http://www.epinions.com/content_173638848132
Angel Season Two http://www.epinions.com/content_179964251780
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
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Epinions.com ID:
JediKermit
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 in Movies, Kids & Family, Books |
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Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Reviews written: 2136
Trusted by: 599 members
About Me:
Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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