Good evening everyone! At last, another exclusive review, that has become an accidental tradition! My plan, initially, was to seek out the strangest folk I could find and review them (as per the suggestion from jpatrik), essentially focusing on the strange and the bizarre rather than the regulars. So I experimented with doing something different, as well as doing something different, by reviewing some of the harder to come across figures, starting with Video Worf, then TNG Sisko, and now, Seven of Nine!
A brief introduction, for those who may be unacquainted with the figure. Toyfair magazine, during Playmates reign, had various promotions where, I believe, you mailed away to get a certain figure (have, you, noticed, that, I tend, to...talk, like a certain, famous, captain with all, these, comma's?). These figures would be reuses of old moulds, with some interesting results, much better than what it sounds like on paper (Piece Of The Action Kirk and this Seven being my personal favourites so far).
This particular Seven was the last Playmates Toyfair exclusive, offered with issue #29 in November 1999 (credit to Newforce for the info) and coming in the last style of exclusive packaging that exclusives would come in, mimicking the larger 12 inch packaging I believe. Even today, she remains popular and still commands a relatively high price on the second hand market.
So the question is, is the figure worth the hype?
To the pictures!
A front view. Sorry for the blurriness in advance, large amounts of Saurian brandy where consumed in the making of this review (and the Mugatu/Mugato review, for those eagle eyed viewers) so excuse the 1970's BBC special effects.
In all seriousness, the packaging is fantastic, probably my favourite type Playmates made. It's completely different to your usual Playmates blister package, a nice image of a Voyager flyby, a nice view of Seven inside a window styled in a Starfleet delta, and other various assorted information (and if any of us had even the slightest temptation to swallow Seven, her base, or her accessory, a WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD symbol is present to sooth us in the knowledge that she is indeed dangerous due to "small parts" for under 3's...)
A close up, less shaky and a bit more clearer. Seven is tied down to a blue tray inside, with three twist ties around her waist and her arms (those terrifyingly disturbed fiends at Playmates, they have her tied down!)
A back view. Lot's of various logos, names, addresses, the information from the front and the artwork as well are present, along with some addition stuff about what's in her box and a nice planet graphic in the top right. Overall, very nicely done Playmates.
Seven, post freeing from plastic tethers. Upon opening, along with Seven, we also receive a Voyager style combadge base and a "Borg scanner", more on that later. Seven is a resculpt of silver Seven and a repaint of Blue Seven, with the various lines on her biosuit, her metal clad hand, and a Voyager combage present, it's pretty damn accurate.
A few pictures from Trekcore:
http://trekcore.com/...e/7of9_s7_b.jpg
http://trekcore.com/...ne/ttds_114.jpg
A close up of her left side of her face. I personally think it's one of Playmates best likeness's, with the detail on her eye piece rather impressive.
A view of her right hand side of her face. The head is excellent as mentioned, with her other cybernetic implant done very well and the hair very nicely sculpted. However, I've got a few production problems with mine. There is something strange going on with her neck joint, and the paint on her arm seems to have burst in one area, resulting in a blemish.
A back view. The detail continues on to the back, however, it seems something even more strange is going on with one side of her face. Also, some legal documentation is visible on the back of her leg. Nothing that bothers me personally, but you, of course, may have a different opinion. (Is this where DST got the idea for the legal stuff on the E's nacelles? I kid)
Seven's accessory. It's identified as a "Borg scanner", however, the truth is a little different than that. I've never seen it used as a Borg device, instead, I've seen it used in Mott the Barbers hair dressers as a hair curler, as a device to repair a Pakled ship and I believe the Enterprise C, and, once, used to reattach Data's head. I'm also pretty sure I've seen it elsewhere too.
Seven's range of articulation, one in each leg, one in each shoulder, one in each elbow (sideways), and the head. This became Playmates staple articulation during the last few years of their run, unfortunately. However, it does "aid" the sculpt in certain ways and, it's Seven! Unlike a S7 Nog, Weyoun, Damar, or the female Changeling, we got a figure of her, limited articulation or not, to more or less complete the bridge crew.
3 7's
Would I recommend her?
100% yes. More so than the blue Seven, she represent's Seven in the latter seasons of Voyager, making her a must have if your a Voyager fan to complete your crew.
Price?
Despite being some 15 years old or so, she still commands a high price. I bought her for £15, the higher end at which I would've paid for her, but I've seen her go for much, much more.
Playability?
Lot's! She's Seven, put her with the Doc or Janeway, have her have fun with Harry, have her go crazy and smash the place up like she did from time to time, beat up Neelix, the possibilities are endless!
I hope you enjoyed the review, if you'd like anyone reviewed specifically, or have any feedback, it's always appreciated!