And so it begins, the first figure from the first movie license acquired by Square Enix and what a start it was! I'm not a really huge fan of The Dark Knight Trilogy or, more accurately, i'm a late bloomer, but IMHO this is the best story arc/representation of Batman on the silver screen and perhaps the most believable.
The Dark Knight Rises Trilogy Batman is actually the Third Batman figure i've covered, you can read the
Arkham Asylum version Here and the
Arkham City Here, and, if you haven't seen the movie you can search for it online - Torrent or somewhere else. Go ahead, you can't proceedwith the review if you haven't seen it yet (Man, you really need to go out once in a while...). Also, to avoid confusion with the numerous Batmen running around i'll lovingly refer to him as "Baleman" from time to time.
As usual Baleman's arsenal is smaller than anticipated: Batarang, Grappling gun, a couple of bombs and 5 alternate hands. Well, at least he's got a stand this time and for the first time they did away with the instruction sheet and printed it instead inside the box. I never really gave a hoot about that sheet but now that it's gone i kinda miss it...
The overall design and paint apps are faithful to the movie version, i'm just wondering though why they did not include an alternate unmasked head - with a "grimacing in pain" face for re-enacting the brokeback...errr...the backbreaking scene with Bane. Articulation = modern Kais complete with the Dissidia arm hinges, ratcheted leg joints, the new hand connectors (similar to Solidus), etc. They also brought back an interesting feature which was disappointingly absent on the last 2 Batmen:
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| Errr...Butt-sculpt? |
Verily, the cape articulation is back though this time there are no alternate capes to be had and, i don't know if this comes as a prerequisite with the cape articulation but the d@#ned "diaper" issue is back though not as bad as in the AA version. Check it out...
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| Pardon me, but your ball...joints are showing |
Bale-man's paint QCs also left a lot of disappointed sighs in its wake, mine's got an unnoticeable slather of glue on the right side of the torso and the right horn's got small globs of dried paint. The rest of the paint are fine on mine though i heard there are cases of paint chips on the nose tip. His eyes aren't painted well also if you look at it closely.
I also find the finishing to be too simple, some details aren't highlighted well enough because of the dark colors. Well, this isn't SQEX fault, he's not called The Dark Knight for nothing right? I only wish he's in the MGS scale so that the small details are really visible.
Speaking of scale, i've always thought Baleman will be bigger than the Arkham City Batman but apparently this is not the case. Their height's virtually identical. He's better proportioned though, understandably so since he's modeled after an actual human. Notice the thighs as well as the arms. I also noticed that they reused the shoes of the Arkham City Batman, sneaky eh SQEX?
Personally i think this is the best Batman figure from Play Arts Kai though i think it's not fair to compare a movie figure from a video game figure. I don't think this will sell as quick as Raiden but for sure Baleman will be sold out soon enough. Still on the fence on Bane though but with Heath Ledger and Anne Hathaway coming soon The Dark Knight Rises Trilogy Play Arts Kai Line is definitely worth looking into.
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| Well, movie stars always have an edge... |
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| Robin listen, when that T-600 shows up... |
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| The sprawling spires of PAK boxes looming in the background... |
Wow, this figure is absolutely friggin awesome!! Im defenitely getting him soon. Im also planning on getting the heath joker and anne catwoman but im very cautious of bane. Great review!! Though i only pray he doesnt sell out quick. You're so lucky man, he isnt due till around june here in America :(
ReplyDeleteThanks buddy, yeah, we got them first for the first time in recent memory. Ironically, Bane's sold out here already and i didn't get him. LOL.
DeleteBane just looks... "ugh" like his face is okay but his arms are exaggerated and his neck is soo thin. I know this because i saw a video review of him on youtube. Not to mention the crappy accersories: two hands and a broken baleman mask(haha i digged the nickname) and they expect full price. Baleman isnt huge with accessories but it beats the heck out of bane. Do you think the revoltech naked snake will be worth it? I kbow its out of context but i just never owned a revoltech figure and just wanted to kbow your personal opionion on em.
DeleteWell, still considering Bane if i can find one near my area. As for revoltech, well, his face looks stupid IMHO. Very anime-like and i prefer the serious look of Big Boss that's why i passed on my PO for him. The good thing about him though is that he's very playable.
DeleteYou are right about his face, that was the first thing i thought of. But a smaller scale boss sounds pretty fun. Itll look cool nect to my othee smaller figures. And bane, yeah, id go for him for the oc i have of completionist but if its at a really good price. But not the 64.99 plus tax theyre asking for.
DeleteThanks for the review. I'm a bit disappointed in how the figure looks vs. the promo shots. Proportions looks weird and I'm not a fan of the airbrushed highlights. I think it would look better simply in black (and probably some gray highlights) like the Hot Toys movie Balemen. I still prefer the Arkham Asylum PAK.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if your batman's legs are of the same length when place close together? Mine is a little longer on his left thus he can't stand straight with/when legs are close to each other, should be open apart.
ReplyDeleteyup, they are buddy. though there are some angles that makes the other leg shorter than the other. Even my other Batmen got that issue.
DeleteThanks for a good review i just got mine today cant wait to check him out
ReplyDeleteFinally got my baleman today. Joker will be arriving in mail soon. He looks awesome. Just typical QC with the nose and such. Is it normal for his forearm blades to feel very eady to rip. Also are his serials the old style? He has the old style serials engraved and look authentic, i know you said there arent any bootlegs so far but itll just make me feel comfortable if you give me that confirmation :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review! In the peak of Comic-Con, I bought Baleman at last. Was going to get Ryu first but it seems that Baleman is being sold out faster, and it was worth it. Seeing your review, made me open my own Baleman and check out his details. >_<.... Oh, love that pic with Arkham Catwoman :3 haha.
ReplyDelete