REVIEW: Sideshow Collectibles The Terminator Premium Format Figure

[JessHorsley]

The Classic T-800 In Gorgeous 1/4 Scale Greatness...

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To order your own The Terminator Premium Format Figure, click HERE.

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Sideshow Collectibles continues to lead the way in high-end pop culture collectibles. Fans of The Terminator have had it good the last few years thanks to a number of collectibles companies and especially Sideshow with its various pieces from the multiple films in the series. Of course, fans of the Terminator will immediately recognize this piece as a part of the company's Premium Format Figure series. The Premium Format Figure (PFF) series includes a variety of characters from a number of films, video games, and other licenses in 1/4 scale form and featuring mixed media construction, to include polystone, real metal, cloth, leather, and more.

PACKAGING

The standard style packaging for Premium Format Figures with the statue's pieces housed inside a durable styrofoam box surrounded by a cardboard box. The cardboard box features a blue color scheme and images of the character as well as information about the character. Overall, the packaging is solid, durable and reasonably attractive.

SCULPT & FABRICATION

For those fans looking for an accurately sculpted Arnold as The Terminator, this one is pretty spot on. The lower jaw and lips looks a little broad and swollen, but otherwise the facial sculpting is well done. The high forehead, spiked hair, wrinkled jaws and tight lip line all provide clear sculpting and accuracy while the size and muscle mass throughout the chest, arms, abdominal, and legs provide the correct size and musculature.

Created by various artists, including Mike Najera, Bernardo Esquivel, Tim Hanson, Patrick Pigott, Trevor Grove, Joe Allard, Jesse Lincoln, Adam Smith and the Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team, The Terminator Premium Format Figure is truly a work of art.

The fabrication of the body and clothing - to include the faux leather jacket, the cotton undershirt, the pants and polystone boots - completes the look of the character from the police station shoot-out scene. The drape on the black faux leather jacket, the tight fit of the coyote brown fatigue/cargo pants and the solidly constructed black studded biker boots provide screen accuracy as well as ensures the figure is impressive to all who see it.

And what would The Terminator be without his weapons? The character comes ready to deal death with an Armalite AR-18 assault rifle with dual magazines in his left hand and a Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun in his left hand over his shoulder. Again, these weapons represent the two used by the character during the police station shoot out and again ensure screen accuracy.

PAINT APPLICATIONS

The only parts on a Premium Format Figure which require paint include those uncovered by mixed media (to include armor, clothing, etc). On The Terminator figure this includes the head, hands, and exposed neck and arms. The boots are also painted as they are constructed of polystone. Lastly, the base is painted to compliment the finely sculpted tile floor base which features a robotic look on its four sides.

The facial sculpt is painted extremely well and features impressive flesh tones with shading. Likewise, the brown hair features highlights which also provide the sculpt depth and a life-like look. The gloved hands and black studded boots also are accurately painted, with silver highlights on the boots to mimic the metal parts.

COST & OVERALL IMPRESSION

At $324.99 suggested retail, The Terminator Premium Format Figure is on the mid-to-high end for Terminator statues and figures. Certainly there are pieces more expensive (and Sideshow makes many of them), though this one is a piece which can both act as the centerpiece for one's Terminator collection or act as a part of one's ever-expanding statue collection. Either way, it's well made, beautifully sculpted, accurately painted and overall quite the looker.

Simply put: if you're a fan of The Terminator and you don't yet own this piece, your collection simply isn't complete.

Be sure to check out the PHOTO GALLERY for over 50 images of this impressive statue!

- photos and reviews by Jess C. Horsley