The Smallest of the Muppet Action Figures is also the Hungriest!
Written: Jul 12 '03 (Updated Jul 12 '03)
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Pros: A tiny little action figure that doesn't skimp on details or articulation.
Cons: Now I want MORE rats!
The Bottom Line: Some companies want a mouse to be a star. I prefer the Muppet approach, where a rat may not be a star, but he's a darn good sidekick.
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| JediKermit's Full Review: Jim Henson's Muppets Rizzo the Rat Action Figure |
The newest wave of Palisades Toys’ Muppet action figures is hitting stores now, and it’s a diverse group. We get the largest action figure in the line yet (Sam Eagle as Sam Arrow) and the smallest (Rizzo the Rat). They actually cheated a bit on Rizzo, making him larger than the puppet is in scale to the other figures, but he’s still TINY, just coming up to Kermit’s collar. Despite his small size, this rat’s got a lot going for him.
Rizzo is a fan favorite, who’s been around since the early 1980’s, but really hit the big time as Gonzo’s sidekick in the last three Muppet films. He’s a rodent, he’s sarcastic, he loves the ladies, and he’s constantly hungry. Kinda like Mickey Mouse. But totally different.
The Rizzo figure is small, but they didn’t skimp on quality in making him. His expression is perfect for Rizzo, and they captured the shape of his head, sloping down to his little black nose. The nose mostly obscures his mouth, but it’s definitely there, cracked open in a smile/sneer, with his rodent teeth ready to bite the hand that feeds him. They’ve gone to the added trouble of giving him six nylon whiskers, inserted into his snout; this is probably the detail I love most about Rizzo.
He’s wearing his jacket from “Muppets Tonight,” a short-lived revival where Rizzo was a stage manager. He’s also got a baseball cap that he wears backwards, and it’s a great finishing touch for his look.
He’s more articulated than I expected for such a small figure—it’s difficult to put joints into a figure so small, but they managed to do it. He’s got neck, waist, hip, shoulder, and wrist joints—far more than he needed to have!
To pack value in with this little guy, Palisades has given him an array of accessories that he used in both “Muppets Tonight” and “Muppets From Space,” including the following:
Headset to use as Stage Manager
“Bork Bork Pizza” box—it opens and has a pizza inside, with toppings and stretchy cheese that stretches when you open the box. Gross and spiffy. It’s even got the Swedish Chef on the box!
A removeable slice of that pizza
An experiment table from Rizzo’s turn as a Lab Rat
Two plates, labeled “CHEESE” and “POISON,” and a wedge of cheese and tropical drink of poison for Rizzo to choose from.
Extending boxing glove
This is another figure that I wasn’t too red hot on, but now that I’ve got him, I love the variety he brings to the collection. The Muppets have never been known for their conformity, and having a rat running around causing problems just ups the chaos potential that much more. It’s been something the line-up has been lacking until now—those random rats, chickens, penguins and frogs that were always backstage at the Muppet Theatre. Rizzo’s in this wave, Camilla the Chicken (Gonzo’s girlfriend) will be in stores in September, and hopefully before long we’ll see some penguins. Because ya know…sometimes you just need a good penguin.
You can find Jim Henson’s Muppets at Media Play, Suncoast, Electronics Boutique, ToysRUs.com, and beginning in Late July, Target Stores will be carrying the line. You can also find them at many specialty stores and comic book shops—search around, you’ll be glad you did!
MORE MUPPETS!
Series One
Kermit the Frog http://www.epinions.com/content_81549233796
Miss Piggy http://www.epinions.com/content_81637707396
Dr. Teeth http://www.epinions.com/content_81569549956
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew http://www.epinions.com/content_81822191236
Series Two
Fozzie Bear http://www.epinions.com/content_85935820420
Crazy Harry http://www.epinions.com/content_98525613700
Floyd Pepper http://www.epinions.com/content_98514865796
Gonzo the Great http://www.epinions.com/content_98463813252
Series Three
Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_91825081988
Lew Zealand http://www.epinions.com/content_91457293956
Zoot http://www.epinions.com/content_91549830788
Rowlf http://www.epinions.com/content_90764316292
Series Four
Link Hogthrob http://www.epinions.com/content_105889107588
Dr. Strangepork http://www.epinions.com/content_105892187780
Sam Eagle as Samuel Arrow http://www.epinions.com/content_105895988868
Playsets
Muppet Labs with Beaker http://www.epinions.com/content_81755606660
Electric Mayhem Stage with Animal http://www.epinions.com/content_98538262148
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 8.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
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Epinions.com ID:
JediKermit
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Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Reviews written: 2125
Trusted by: 598 members
About Me:
Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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