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By Michael Crawford
July 6, 2004
Palisades Toys has been producing a series of mini-busts for the Alien and Predator licenses for quite some time. I reviewed the very first one right here, and since they've also produced a masked version and a defeated version.
Just to keep things interesting, they've also produced some "micro" versions of these same busts. And not to be left out, Sideshow toy will be doing Predator props and replicas as well this year, starting with the VERY cool, but VERY expensive 1:1 Predator bust!
Back to the subject - the fourth bust from Palisades. This time it's the Elder Predator from the end scene of PREDATOR 2. He's just hitting stores, and I have a few suggestions of on-line options at the end of the review.
"Elder Predator Mini-bust"
Danny Glover has had the shit kicked out of him. He stands inside the ship, searching for his enemy - and the Elder Predator approaches. Remember that scene? Then you'll remember the flintlock.
Packaging - **1/2
Palisades box art is always excellent, and this is another fine package. I still prefer boxes where I can see the bust itself, to be sure I'm getting something worth this kind of green. Still, the package does the job intended - keeping the fragile bust safe and sound - and also shows off the sculpt through photos.
Sculpting - ****
I think I have my favorite Predator mini-bust. While the first one was awfully hard to beat, and neither the masked version or the battle damaged version was able to unseat him from his top slot, it looks like he's now vulnerable. The old man here has managed to do what the others could not, and knock him off the top perch.
This bust is perhaps the most detailed of the four so far, and also represents one of my favorite versions. There's tons of detail work, and I'm particularly impressed by the small, pointy bones that run along the sides of his head. Very tiny and very delicate, they look terrific.
The base is made up of many human skulls of various shapes and sizes. Again, the work is exceptional, and extremely realistic and eye catching. If there is one complaint, it's that the head seems too larger here in comparison to the body, but I don't happen to have a copy of PREDATOR 2 around to double check the source material. Hey, it wasn't that good of a movie.
Paint - ***1/2
Most of the paint application is clean and neat, with a great variety of color and detail. There's enough contrasting colors to keep the piece visually exciting, without looking cartoony.
The paint work on the top of the head is of particular note. They've managed to give it a somewhat translucent appearance, very unusual and different.
The color around the mouth is always a tough call for Predator's, and getting it just right has been more than a challenge in the past. Here it appears a tad too orange, and doesn't have quite the same level of detail as the rest of the bust. Still, any nits you find with the paint application will be extremely minor.
Design/Style - ****
You knew they had to find a way to include the flintlock pistol. He has it slipped inside his leather belt, and actually appears about ready to "draw." I like the design and pose, although if I spend too much time thinking about it, I realize it seems a tad silly. You could assume he's just pulling the gun out, perhaps to hand it to Danny Glover, but that's not really the first impression you get. Still, I think the Clint Eastwood pose works quite well, and gives him an interesting look.
I also like the base quite a bit, and it is easily my favorite of the four released. While the others had more jungle or accesory bases, this 'trophy room' version emotes more horror and fear.
Value - **1/2
At $50, he's no steal. Then again, the bust market has remained in that $40 - $50 range for quite awhile now, and this is still the same price the line began at. With the license heating up this year, the price is no surprise. You'll have to be pretty hard core to pony up this kind of money, but for the diehard fans, it's a average value.
Overall - ***1/2
As I said, I think this bust has dethroned Palisades first release as the finest Predator mini-bust to date. While he ends up scoring the same overall, he has that certain shelf presence that puts him over the top for me. For the Predator fans that prefer the first movie, he might not be their favorite design, but the amount of detail is truly impressive.
Where to buy
I don't expect we'll see these in any mainstream bricks and mortar stores, but your local comic shop may get them in. Online options include:
- Aisle Sniper has him for $50.
- Southern Island has him listed for $55.
- Killer Toys has it list or $50.
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