The Truth Is In Here! Agent Scully PALz
Written: Jul 12 '05 (Updated Aug 10 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very cool figures. Super articulated. Nifty accessories.
Cons: I want Series Two!
The Bottom Line: The truth is out there
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| mizgnomer's Full Review: The X-Files PALz: Dana Scully |
The X-Files was an intelligent, excellent show (for most of its 9 year run, at any rate). The series centered around two strong lead characters, Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who each became pop-culture icons in their own right, so if there's going to be an X-Files toy line you can rest assured that Mulder and Scully will be represented. The Series One release of the PALz X-Files toy line is no exception, with 2 variations on the Scully character for your block-figure enjoyment.
Product Description:
Short, blocky characters seem to be all the rage in the toy business these days. Various toy companies put their own spin on them - with Kubricks, Minimates, Mez-Itz, Blockos, Lego Minifigs, and others that I've probably forgotten. Palisades Toys' entry into this world of superdeformed block figures are the PALz, and they are very nifty little figures indeed.
What sets PALz apart from other similar figures are the multitude of accessories that come with them, as well as very detailed paint jobs and lots of articulation. The sculpts are simplistic, but they make up for that with the paint jobs and little detail touches.
All PALz figures are all generally built the same - they stand 2½ inches tall and are articulated at the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees, and ankles. They come apart at the neck, arms, torso, and legs, so the pieces are interchangeable with other PALz in your collection.
The "Series 1" Scully is a surprisingly decent likeness for a little blocky toy. She's got all of the Scully details, right down to her little cross necklace, her FBI badge clipped to her lapel, her gray suit that ties at the waist, and her sensible shoes. With this X-Files line they did allow each character to have a few variations from a basic PALz character -- Scully's unique features are her sculpted red hair and her "womanly" figure (a block figure with a chest, who would have thought it?)
Since these little blocky figures are all the rage with collectors, there is a "chase" or harder to find variant version of Scully (to artificially boost the re-sale value). The chase Scully goes along with the Donnie Pfaster PALz character (from the very popular Season 2 episode "Irresistible"). The "Captured Scully" figure is wearing a brown suit with a black shirt underneath (just like she wore in the episode). Her facial expression is more surprised/scared and she has a gag wrapped around her face and into her mouth.
PALz figures typically come with tons of accessories, and the Scully PALz is no exception. Included with both versions of the Scully figure are:
» Her ever-present cell phone (black with green display and gray keys)
» The wallet version of her FBI Badge (complete with PALz-Scully face on the id)
» Her Gun
» A computer keyboard
» A computer monitor (with stuff on the screen but the text is far too small for me to read what it says)
» An X-File, labeled "X-73317, Scully, Dana" (no episode number like many of the others). The chase, "captured" Scully comes with a different file that reads "X-1013-0213(b)" and "Irresistible". "Ten Thirteen" is the X-Files production company as well as creator Chris Carter's birth date - the numbers are frequently referenced in various X-Files episodes. The episode "Irresistible" was episode number 13 of season 2, so the numbers on captured-Scully's file are a spiffy little in-joke
» A little clear clip is also included so the various characters can hold the little file in their hands easily
» A flashlight (and any X-Files fan knows that Mulder and Scully need their flashlights)
With lots of tiny pieces, The X-Files PALz: Agent Scully is definitely a choking hazard. Palisades Toys recommends these figures for children ages 8 and up.
Our Thoughts & Experiences:
I'm an X-files geek, which doesn't necessarily mean that I love every item put out on the market with an "X" stamped on it. I'm an X-Files geek who loves attention to detail, and that's one thing that these toys from Palisades have in spades. As a fan who obsessed over the intricate plot lines and who loved the little inside jokes, I think these toys are so special because they do reference those plots I adored along with having the little in-jokes that added a special touch to so many of the shows. With meaningful props and show references, these toys are a must for any X-Phile. That being said, my husband is not an X-Files fan, but even he thinks that these little guys are very cool.
Even though the pieces can be taken apart, when put together they hold up very well, allowing the figure to be posed in a wide variety of unique poses (and with all of the cool accessories the poses can get really "out there"). They are perfect for giving your office workspace some additional personality.
Both of these little Scully figures (the regular one and the "captured" variant) are quite cool. I never would have thought that a tiny little block figure could capture the "look" of Agent Scully, but somehow Palisades managed to pull it off (twice!) I was particularly intrigued by the differences in the facial expressions between the two Scully-versions -- who would have thought that such small, simple figures could have so much detail that emotions come through on their faces!?! People who aren't as detail-obsessed as I am might think it weird to have a "bondage-Scully" toy, however.
This figure is part of the first release of X-Files PALz figures from Palisades Toys. The other figures in this line include Agent Mulder, Frohike, Deep Throat, a Gray Alien, The Flukeman, The Conundrum, and Donnie Pfaster. The three harder to find chase figures in this series are Demon Donnie Pfaster, Captured Scully, and Men in Black Mulder. I was able to complete my collection at Media Play, but the PALz line is supposedly also carried at Sam Goody and Suncoast stores (although our local ones didn't have them), as well as comic book stores and various online retailers.
Final Thoughts:
These PALz figures are a must for any obsessive X-Files fan, and are pretty cool and inexpensive for non-obsessive fans as well. My PALz Mulder and Scully proudly grace the desk at my office, and everyone who stops by is endlessly intrigued by them. They are super cute and super articulated, with great attention to detail in both the figure and the accessories. I love everything about them!
Related X-Files PALz Reviews:
Agent Fox Mulder (both versions)
Donnie Pfaster (both versions)
The Flukeman
Gray Alien
My X-Files Season-based Reviews:
X-Files Complete Season One
X-Files Complete Season Two
X-Files Complete Season Three
X-Files Complete Season Four
X-Files Complete Season Five
X-Files Complete Season Six
X-Files Complete Season Seven
X-Files Complete Season Eight
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6.99
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Epinions.com ID:
mizgnomer
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Location: Tennessee
Reviews written: 306
Trusted by: 202 members
About Me:
Don't meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you're crunchy and taste good with ketchup
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