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Series: N/A (Toys "R" Us exclusive)
Craftsmanship: 9.0 out of 10 - Display a little too crowded - Great likenesses, paint and accessories - Not compatible with other playsets - Great collector’s piece
Playability: 9.0 out of 10 - Small accessories lost easily - Adds some great variety - Durable - Perfect for Halloween display
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Treehouse of Horror III (The Simpsons)by Playmates
In terms of one-shot exclusives, Treehouse of Horror is a great example of an exclusive done right. Only available through Toys “R” Us, this one is definitely one that will appeal to collectors more than the average kid.
There are four figures packed into the box – Witch Marge, Donut Head Homer, Evil Willie, and Hugo – each based on a character from the Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials. Each of the figures looks ripped right from the cartoon – like they dropped out of some mysterious 3D netherworld. All four are extremely well sculpted and painted, but Donut Head Homer and Evil Willie are most likely to be the favorites. That’s not to say Hugo and Witch Marge are somehow less important than Homer and Willie, it’s just that they don’t have the same appeal – and because Donut Head Homer could be a Canadian icon.
Evil Willie is in his Freddy Kruger duds (including hat and rake), which is slightly disappointing. I would have preferred his burning skeleton, but it’s still a good figure. When installed on the base you get a couple of good phrases with “I’ll strike where yu canna protect them. In their dreeeeeams!” and “When I'm done with yu hey’ll have to do a comp post mortem!” Donut Head Homer is the biggest figure and also the heaviest. The donut |
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head is solid, not hollow. It makes him top-heavy but he’s still steady on his feet. When installed on the display base he has a couple of phrases – my favorite, “Mmmm. Forbidden donut.” Homer comes with a donut (that he holds in his hand) and is my favorite of the four figures.
Witch Marge is the most overt Halloween figure so it makes sense to have around for play around Halloween. (After all, we get to play with Nativity Scene figures around Christmas, why not have a Halloween figure? Incidentally, Homer can be hung on the Christmas tree.) Overall, |
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she looks like a big asparagus, but since its accurate to the show, I’ll not quibble. The broom she comes with fits easily in either hand but more snuggly in her left hand. Installed on the base she says, “I’m a witch,” and “We’re here to eat your kids.”
To round out the collection is Hugo (Bart’s “evil” brother). Once again, he’s dead-on with the TV character. And arguably he has the best lines of the four. “Do you know what it's like to locked in an attic for 10 years when your only friend is a baby jar full of screws?” strikes a chord with me for some strange reason. The display base has to be assembled. Putting it together is straightforward but then you realize just how crowded the display is. The conveyor belt and the stalagmites take up a lot of room and when you’ve installed three of the figures the display almost look cluttered. Two on and two in front look far better. And if you’re looking for cross-compatibility with other Simpson figures you won’t find it. Only Witch Marge, Donut Head Homer, Evil (or Dream Invader) Willie, and Hugo elicit any responses (otherwise you just get a scream, which is also appropriate). The accessories are compatible though.
Playability is about the same as the regular Simpson figures, although they do add some much welcome spice and variety. The Simpsons line already has a gargantuan amount of the playability and it’s just made that much bigger with these figures. Kids might not as be motivated to buy this set compared to “serious” collectors, but I don’t think kids will be disappointed by the play value.
A big thumbs/hook/paw/tentacle up (even if the display seems a little cluttered).
- Omni (October 30, 2002) |
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