Gimli (The Lord of the Rings)

by Toy Biz

Action figures drawn from movies must, by their very nature, fall under greater scrutiny.  It’s based on a real person, so it had better look like the person it’s modeled on.  Gimli scores points for snagging the movie likeness – it’s like owning a costumed Jonathan Rys-Davies. (Too bad it doesn’t have a voice chip: “No one tosses this dwarf!” or “Today on Archaeology!” being the most apparent choices for catchphrases.)

Foremost, Gimli was designed to be played with.  His Battle-Axe Swinging Action kicks orcish butt!  Any of the five (or so) axes fits easily in his “swinging” right hand.  Pressing Gimli’s legs together activates the swing – it arcs about 90 degrees and facilitates re-enacting Gimli’s attempt to destroy the One Ring.  One axe has “breaking action” – the blade snaps in two – but the piece that breaks off is quite small and easily lost, so how many times you’ll actually be able to re-enact the scene is limited by how well you can track small pieces.  However, he has lots of solid axes to play with.  It’s a wonder then, why he can only hold three of them: one in each hand and one on his belt.

The play test for Gimli was a little more arduous because he is, after all, a dwarf – not like those wimpy elves that are light as a feather and have about as much presence.  Gimli has 9 points of articulation and all of them are fairly solid, although his wrists can break if you’re really tough on him.  Setting up mock battles with the other figures in the series is great for display or play because all the figures are in proportion to each other – no camera tricks involved.

For collectors and people that buy figures for their display possibilities, Gimli is fairly solid.  The likeness is good, as is the 

detail and coloring.  His boots and gauntlets have the intricate metal working that dwarves are known for.  Paint application on the review figure was without oversplash and follows the coloring of the movie.  Standing Gimli can be a problem.  He’s got exactly one stance that keeps him standing – it’s a suitably intimidating stance, but it’s only one.  Even so, he’s balanced and doesn’t fall over in a breeze. (All this is due to the lack of articulation in his legs and bent left foot.)  Some might argue that this “dressed down” version of Gimli should have been second choice to Gimli attired in battle gear (with that cool helmet).  Above all else, he could have used a couple more places to put axes on his body.

Although he doesn’t have much of a role in the first movie, Gimli’s a must have for those that want to complete the fellowship.  It’s a good figure for the money.

- Omni