PHOTO REVIEW: Hot Toys Commando - JOHN MATRIX (MMS276)

Display At Your Own Risk...

CLICK HERE FOR OVER 100 NEW PHOTOS OF HOT TOYS' COMMANDO!

Hot Toys returns with an all-new one sixth scale Arnold action figure for fans, this time depicting the pumped up Austrian-American actor from the 1985 shoot 'em up Commando. Commando was one of my favorite action films growing up, which got me to thinking: I wonder why no one has remade it yet? I'm not saying they should, just saying, I can pictured someone like The Rock in the role of John Matrix. Anywho, I digress, Arnold was tailor-made for the part; a walking arsenal of weaponry spewing out classic one-liners as much as bullets.

The Hot Toys John Matrix action figure perfectly captures this one man army, providing collectors with enough firearms and explosives to take on a well-armed military collection. John Matrix includes:

• Silver Desert Eagle Mark I pistol
• Uzi submachine gun
• Remington 870 shotgun with 12 shells (for inserting on vest)
• Valmet M78/83 assault rifle
• M202A1 FLASH portable missile launcher
• M67 hand grenades x3 (tied to vest)
• M18A1 Claymore mines with remote detonators x2
• Throwing knives x2
• Combat knife (with sheath on vest)

About the only major firearms John Matrix is missing is his HK91 from the beginning of the film and M60E3 he mows down a bunch of baddies with towards the end. The latter is interesting because NECA's smaller Commando figure includes this gun, but omits the shotgun. I'm not sure why we can't have it all with the more expensive Hot Toys figure, but it's still a sizable collection of guns. To help tote his arsenal, John Matrix comes with a tactical vest that zips up the front and clamps secure under his crouch. Alas, this brings me to my first real concern:

"Don't leave the vest on the figure for extended amount of time; color may transfer onto the figure due to the nature of the material."

Well, that's not good. I can't imagine many collectors having this figure on display without the vest. It'd be like displaying Superman without his cape. I mean why include such an iconic piece of gear if it's going to potentially damage your collectible? But wait, it gets better...

Arnold Schwarzenegger was in prime physical form for Commando, looking as if he just stepped off the stage of a bodybuilding competition. Hot Toy's John Matrix figure reflects the hulking actor quite well, the company using a seamless muscular body. Alas, there is a downside to the figure looking so good.

"Don't leave the elbows bent for long periods of time; otherwise creases may form."

So, how are you suppose to display this figure? Listen, this is a phenomenal looking action figure, but by Hot Toys' very own admission they are saying that you may damage this $250 action figure by A) Displaying John Matrix with his vest on, and B) Displaying John Matrix with any semblance of firing a gun. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of having an action figure now, doesn't it? I'm truly at a loss for words. It sounds to me that Hot Toys needs to eliminate using this new seamless muscle body until one can be made that doesn't self-destruct with use. As is, Hot Toys' 1:6 John Matrix Commando figure sure looks great, BUT display at your own risk.

CLICK HERE FOR OVER 100 NEW PHOTOS OF HOT TOYS' COMMANDO!

Review and Photos by Jeff Saylor

Review Sample Courtesy of Hot Toys

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