ADVANCE REVIEW: Hot Toys' Movie Masterpiece PREDALIEN HYBRID

Aliens vs Predator: Requiem beast wreaks havoc on the toy world...

Preorder Hot Toys' AvP:R Predalien today at BigBadToyStore.com, CornerStoreComics.com, WhiteWizardToys.com, ToyWiz.com, Heo.com, Alter Ego Comics, and MayBang.com.

To order other great Alien and Predator collectibles, visit

Hot Toys has been treating Alien and Predator fans to some of the most amazing 1:6 scale collectibles ever to see release. From their battalion of Colonial Space Marines, army of Aliens, and clan of Predators, to their marvel of toy engineering, the Power Loader, Hot Toys has made many, many sci-fi collectors happy. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, along comes their latest trio of beastly beauties based on Aliens vs Predator: Requiem.

Love the film or hate it, there is no denying the creature designs were spectacular. Hot Toys has taken the core critters -- the Alien Warrior, "Wolf" Predator and the Predalien Hybrid -- and faithfully recreated them in figure form as part of their AvP:R Movie Masterpiece series. All three are currently sold out at Sideshow, the U.S. distributor of Hot Toys product, but if fans act fast enough, they can still preorder them from the fine retailers listed above or get on the These are slated to arrive this April priced at around $129.99 for the Alien, $149.99 for the "Wolf" and $184.99 for the Predalien. The Hybrid is the most expensive, but it is also the largest of the group, measuring in at an imposing 18" when fully erect. It's also my favorite of the bunch, as I'll explain to you in detail in this advance review.

PACKAGING: Like all Hot Toy Movie Masterpiece figures, the packaging is simply top-notch. The Predalien comes packed in a fifth panel window box encased in a highly reflective outer sleeve. This HUGE presentation sells the toy in a grand fashion, attracting you with mouth-drooling product photos and a glimpse of the figure inside. While it would be a crime to keep this figure sealed up, those that prefer mint-in-package collectibles will love the slide-out plastic tray for easy storage of the toy. It stacks well, displays great and delivers just a phenomenal action figure safe and snug to your home.

SCULPT: Ever since the Dark Horse AvP comics, fans have been clamoring to see a Predalien rip things apart on the silver screen. The creature pictured in AvP:R isn't my ideal Predalien look, but it is still a pretty darn cool design. NECA nailed this movie monster in incredible 7" scale plastic, but Hot Toys takes top honors with their 18" rendition. To be honest, comparing the two is really not fair. For $15 and 7" tall, NECA's Predalien is a crazy cool buy. But looming large and priced for the high-end market, Hot Toys' Predalien has the advantage of letting it all hang out. No twisted muscle or biomechanical bone has been overlooked. Hot Toys' sculptors have perfectly captured the creature.

PAINT: For a monster you could barely see in the film, the Hot Toys Predalien is a spectacular sight to behold in full color. Gone are the shadows, replaced here with a rich palette of golden tans, burnt browns and sinister blacks. Skilled shading and wash applications go a long way in bringing this beast to life, the photos seen here do not do the toy justice. Like my review of the Hot Toys Brown Alien Warrior earlier this week, the earthtones on the Predalien really bring out the super sculpt.

ARTICULATION: The Predalien stars the same insane amount of articulation as Hot Toys' previous Alien figures. Super poseable ball-joints are everywhere on this toy, all blending very well with the sculpt or completely hidden by the creature's rubbery "flesh". The Predalien also features a very long bendy tail. Due to his unstable insect-like feet, you will want to position the tail just so in order for him to stand properly. Once the tail hits the ground, you are good to go. Including a display stand would have solved this balancing problem, but as it is, it isn't a deal breaker.

The Predalien's "hair" is much like the more recent Hot Toys Predator figures: rubbery and free flowing. While I wish the Predalien designers had these dreads flowing from the back of its head as opposed to sprouting off the sides, their appearance here is natural and much preferred over bendy locks.

The Predalien also features a lunging inner jaw, but unlike his Alien cousins, it also stars some killer articulated mandibles. Not only do these outer jaws move in and out, but they also swing open -- stretching the rubbery tendons in between them. It was an unexpected discovery, and a very cool one at that!

ACCESSORIES: While you won't find a much needed display stand with the Predalien, you will find two sets of interchangable hands. Like Hot Toys' Alien Warriors, one set features bendy fingers, while the other is cast in a rigid, clawed pose. I'm not a big fan of the bendy hands, the pair looking slightly cartoonish. The preposed set looks much more realistic, but to each their own. It's nice that Hot Toys gave collectors the choice.

COST & OVERALL IMPRESSION: For the collector with the cash and seeking the best of the rest, Hot Toys' Predalien is it. However, $184 is far from cheap. While the Predalien is a fantastic action figure, I have a hard time swallowing that amount. $150 is closer to the sweet spot when it comes to my wallet. Alas, I have no control over retail, and when you realize that most all Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece figures end up double their asking price on the secondary market, $184 is much better sounding than $368.

Most fans of this movie monster will want to settle for NECA's incredible, and much more affordable, Predalien action figure. But if money isn't an issue and you are looking for best Predalien action figure on the market today, Hot Toys' Predalien can't be topped. It is a solid investment for those engrossed by these wonderful creature designs.

Visit the link below for over 40 new photos of the Predalien!

Review by Jeff Saylor

Photos by Jeff Saylor and Jess C. Horsley. Packaged Photos by Sideshow

Review Sample Courtesy of Hot Toys

Hot Toys AvP:R Predalien Photo Gallery