LOST Fans Can Nab Jack, Shepherd of Castaways
Written: May 28 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: great figure for Jack fans
Cons: not quite as true-to-life as others in the line
The Bottom Line: Where would the castaways - and viewers - be without Jack?
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| bilbopooh's Full Review: Mcfarlane Toys Lost Series 1 Action Figure Jack |
Back when my friend Libbie and I finally got around to watching the pilot of LOST, more than 16 months after it originally aired, we both had a pretty good idea of who was going to inspire our most ardent affections. My money was on Charlie, the burned-out rocker portrayed by none other than the adorable, hilarious former hobbit Dom Monaghan, while hers was on Jack, the rugged hero bringing a sense of order amidst the post-crash chaos, a towering figure of strength and resolve played by Party of Five's Matthew Fox.
Three seasons in, we've both conceded that tortured, time-traveling Scotsman Desmond, a latecomer to the game, gives our respective flames a run for their money, but since we're not going to be seeing Mr. Hume in plastic form anytime soon (and when we do, I really hope his prop is the failsafe key, which I can string around my neck should I feel so inspired, rather than that picture of him and Penny) there was no question as to which character in McFarlane's line of LOST figures would be most suited to her. When her birthday rolled around recently, it was Jack in the box, ready to spring into action.
Jack, it seems, is not quite as popular now as he was in the first season. While I never really latched onto him as a favorite, preferring the more down-to-earth Charlie and Hurley and the enigmatic Locke, I've always liked him, and I don't envy him his position of having leadership thrust upon him because, as a doctor, he was among the first to check into the well-being of the survivors. He knew what to do when it counted, so everyone continued to look to him for direction.
And he's delivered pretty well in that regard. As the only doctor in the bunch, he's indispensable, making everyone's stay on the island more pleasant and saving lives - most dramatically Charlie's, in a testament to the value of his stubborn unwillingness to give up on a patient. He rallies the castaways with inspirational speeches and pushes past the personal issues plaguing him for the good of the group. Jack is a good guy.
This figure captures him at a moment early in the series, roughly the same time as the scene in which the Charlie figure is rooted. Jack stands, ever so wobbly on his feet, weaving his way dazedly through the sea of wreckage strewn about him. Chunks of debris jut out at odd angles, while Jack himself looks a little uneven, knee bent, arms splayed at his sides, jacket flapping, shirt half-tucked, tie askew, startled expression on his face. This is Jack just moments after the crash, only beginning to comprehend what's happening, barely aware of the lacerations in his skin leaving bloodstained tears in his clothes. Maybe the blood is a bit much, but it certainly adds to the realism of the scene.
Of all the figures I've examined out of the box, Jack probably looks the least like the character, but that's not to say it isn't a good likeness. It's just not as remarkable as Locke or Charlie. It's still clearly Jack, though, looking mighty heroic atop the pile of fuselage remnants. Like the other figures in the series, he doesn't move a whole lot, but his hands, head and waist are articulated. Putting together the plastic base, complete with its thin black rods, cardboard backdrop and black box, is a bit tricky, but a little fiddling around does the trick. There's also the added complication of having a piece of wreckage that fits onto pegs on the base, just as Jack's shoes do; this makes things a bit more confusing at first, but it's not the sort of challenge that should pose undue difficulty. The backdrop still requires the more complex assembly.
Accompanying Jack is a mug shot of Kate, which seems like a rather odd prop for him to have, but upon reflection I can't think of any definitive props Jack has had at any point in the series, unless it were a first aid kit or something of that nature, so I guess the Kate picture makes sense, given his close connection with her. And it's very realistic-looking.
And then, of course, there are the sound clips. Most iconic is his pleading catchphrase: "If we can't live together, we're gonna die alone." Less effective, especially considering that they both came from the same episode - heck, the same conversation - are "Everybody wants me to be a leader until I make a decision that they don't like" and "There's something that you need to know... We're going to have a Locke problem, and I have to know that you've got my back." These last two are fine, but given the fact that Jack is the closest thing the series has to a singular main character, it seems a little strange to have two quotes from the season one finale. I would nix the third and put in something from around mid-season, something showing the softer or lighter side of Jack... As it is, while the first quote is inspirational, the second is a bit petulant and the third comes off as slightly paranoid - though it's not quite unfounded, given Locke's various issues throughout the second season, to say nothing of the third...
When I bought this figure, it still cost $16, but considering that the second series is due out in July, I wouldn't be surprised if the price goes down before too long, especially since I snagged the hatch set half-off. If Jack's your main squeeze, snatching up this figure before it vanishes from the shelves might be just what the doctor ordered.
Pilot Epiosde
Season One
Season Two
Secret Identity
Signs of Life
Charlie figure
Locke figure
Hurley figure
Hatch Boxed Set
Mystery of the Island Jigsaw Puzzle (The Numbers)
LOST Parodies:
Bohemian Rhapsody
I Am a Rock
White Christmas
Christmas Canon Rock
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Christmas in Killarney
Henry the Eighth
Sweet Baby James
The Only Living Boy in New York
Here, There and Everywhere
He Was My Brother
For Baby (For Bobbie)
Sloop John B.
When I'm 64
The Longest Time
Run for the Roses
You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore
Eye of the Tiger
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Leader of the Band
Same Old Lang Syne
Cat's in the Cradle
An Innocent Man
The Boxer
Sparrow
Loves Me Like a Rock
Der Fuehrer's Face
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Candle in the Wind
Scarborough Fair / Canticle
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 15.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
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Epinions.com ID:
bilbopooh
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Member: Erin McCarty
Location: Erie, PA
Reviews written: 2498
Trusted by: 195 members
About Me:Viggo Mortensen anchors John Hillcoat's powerful adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
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