Trinity 2 (The Matrix) by N2 Toys

What I remember most about the Matrix is the opening scene where Trinity is ambushed and to escape she employs her "bullet time" abilities – seemingly suspended in preparation for delivering a series of viscous kicks. It was the moment that pulled my attention to the screen for the duration of the movie. N2 Toys, considered by some to be the new kid on the block, is behind the toy line and they’ve done a commendable job capturing the scene in plastic.

The figure itself is well sculpted – front and back. The lines of stress in her clothes are accurate and they even got her neck right. It’s completely true to the movie, although I’m of the opinion that her head is a little too narrow. If you look closely at her eyes you’re sure to feel slightly uneasy. The pupils seem tiny, like she’s in some kind of cocaine-induced frenzy. Viewing from further back lessens this considerably. But what viewing distance can’t hide is an annoying tilt (at least with the review figure and one other I checked). She tilts to her right at about a 20-degree angle. The reason for this is the peg that fits into the base of her 

spine (to give her that suspended look) just isn’t big enough to hold her firmly. The peg fits very firmly into the backboard but you can spin Trinity like she’s trying out for the new wheel on Wheel of Fortune. As a solution to this you can put a small ball of plasticene, or a piece of tape, or even some contact cement in her back to keep her in place and straightened.

The paint job is terrific. Trinity’s PVC suit and big shoes have that shiny look that all PVC suits should have. It even feels slightly like PVC. (Trinity’s actually the first figure in a long time that when opened didn’t smell like 

toxic paint.) Her stand is of simple construction – the backboard is papered with the cascading green text made famous by the movie and the base is a simple piece of black plastic engraved with the movie logo. It’s pretty strong and it’s certainly steady. Plus is hardly takes up any shelf or desk space.

To call Trinity an action figure is misleading – the sole point of articulation is her neck and she can’t "stand" without being attached to the base. There’s not going to be much play to be had with this figure. The trade-off is that the detail level is great but makes Trinity little more than a display piece. Certainly, a great display piece, but a display piece nonetheless. Some joints, say ball jointed shoulders and hinged knees, would allow some slightly different poses and keep things fresh.

"Mature" collectors (who don’t worry about play value) shouldn’t be disappointed with Trinity 2, though kids will probably ignore it. And with a sequel on the way, this figure will probably go up in value.

- Omni