Hot Toys MMS 300 Leonidas

Spartans... Prepare for glory!

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Based on the graphic novel by celebrated comic creator Frank Miller, the film 300, starring Gerard Butler, was as equally successful in the box office as it was controversial for it's depiction of the Persian forces. The comic and film were loosely based on the historical Battle of Thermopylae, where an alliance of Greeks held off the vast Persian army for seven days.

While 300 was given a nice assortment of action figures, busts, and prop replicas by collectible company NECA several years ago when the film was released, and Sideshow Collectibles released a ¼ Scale Premium Format Figure last year, Hot Toys has now created their own 1/6 scale 300 collectible of the brave King Leonidas, featuring all of the detail and hyper-realism that fans have grown to expect from the Movie Masterpiece Series.

PACKAGING: The great king comes packaged in an eye-popping, overall red box meant to replicate the fabric and color of his cape. The front has a large image of the Spartan shield with the film logo and character title, while the back has an image of the figure itself. The figure is packaged in an enclosed box that slides out of the side of the outer box, giving a full view of the character and his accessories through a front window. The interior box is similar to the movie poster art with blood splatters throughout and a large profile image of Leonidas with helmet on the back, along with creative credits. Inside, the figure and its accessories are kept in place and protected by a form-fitting clamshell.

SCULPT & ACCESSORIES: By far the most impressive and attention-drawing feature of the figure is the incredible sculpting. Hot Toys has captured the likeness of actor Gerard Butler perfectly. Right down to the shape of his nose and the life-like definition in his eyes, both on the regular head sculpt and the second "yelling" sculpt. The attention to detail is present in the body sculpt as well. Hot Toys utilizes their newly developed muscled body, similar to the one used on several other recent muscled characters, but with quite a bit extra definition and texture. Like other muscled characters the body does hinder the movement and articulation quite a bit. He has around 26 points, but fans must use caution in the way they pose Leonidas, as bending him the wrong way or too far could damage the figure.

COSTUME & ACCESSORIES: Although there is not much of a costume to speak of, the gear Leonidas brings to battle is highly detailed and realistically fitted. The brightest and most noticeable garment is his red cape, which lies dramatically off his shoulders with a sculpted clasp. Although not actually attached to the cape, he also wears a faux-leather harness that buckles in the back. His belt is faux-leather as well and includes a detailed scabbard. Leonidas also includes fully sculpted, removable vambraces and greaves that are pitted and tarnished by battle.

While his accessories are limited as well, they are also items that are signature to both Leonidas and the Spartan army. Along with a long spear and sword, he includes his battle-won shield that features a faux-leather handle. A cool feature of the shield is that it has several holes that can be filled with an assortment of arrows, both whole and broken, that are displayable however you choose. Also include his Leonidas’ wolf-tooth necklace and his trademark open-faced helmet with the full crest, which is made out of actual horsehair. Finally, as always, the figure is accompanied by a Hot Toys figure stand, with movie logo and character nameplate.

OVERALL: Despite all of the great 300 collectibles previously released, nothing comes close to the quality, authenticity and incredible likeness of the Hot Toys Leonidas. Hopefully the figure will be successful so that Hot Toys creates more 1/6 scale figures from the film, especially Queen Gorgo, Dilios, and Xerxes. Some of the cool Persian “mutants” couldn’t hurt either. The MMS 300 King Leonidas is available now from Hot Toys.

To see more photos of the incredible Leonidas, visit the gallery HERE!

Review Sample Courtesy of Hot Toys

Review and Photos by Michael Klein

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