Funko Back to the Future Doc Brown ReAction FigureFunko, 2014
Day #1,028: October 13, 2014
Back to the Future Doc Brown (Barely) Fits in the Diamond Select DeLorean
Back to the Future ReAction Figures
Item No.: No. 03916 Manufacturer:Super7 x Funko Includes:Remote control accessory Action Feature:n/a Retail: est. $9.99 Availability:July 2014 Other: First-ever 3 3/4-inch Doc Brown figure
As a kid I thought Doc Brown was super-cool. Actor Christopher Lloyd had an amazing run - Taxi's Jim Ignatowski, Star Trek's Commander Kruge, The Addams Family's Uncle Fester, Who Framed Roger Rabbit's Judge Doom, and dozens more fantastic roles delighted audiences around the world, and he's probably now best known as the wild-haired old man of Hill Valley, California. He still acts - a lot - but he never really got all that many action figures. The Mattel figure was never to be, so it's nice Funko managed to make this happen.
Doc basically fits into the Diamond Select Toys 1:15 scale DeLorean Time Machine - but he fits better in the passenger's seat. He looks pretty good standing near the car, too, especially as he includes a nifty remote control accessory that frankly looks way better than anything we saw in the 1980s. It's crisp and glossy, looking just like a modified toy controller - plus it actually fits pretty well in his hands, without too much futzing. It doesn't fit like a glove, but neither did many of the Star Wars figures (see: Fett, Boba.)
As a 5-jointed figure with foot holes designed to work with vintage Kenner stands and playsets, I had what could best be called modest expectations for the figure. I had some quality control issues, resulting in two broken figures before getting a good one. The first one's neck joint was stuck, so the head twisted off not unlike old Play-Doh. #2 was not sufficiently assembled, so a stray piece of plastic on the neck caused the toy to pry itself apart the first time the head moved. #3 thought? It's solid so far, but the deco isn't quite as good - it's pretty good, though, and as long as you buy it somewhere with a good return policy I wouldn't let that scare you off of having your long-awaited Doc Brown action figure that you've always wanted. Let's face it, this is all about nostalgia and those of you who don't open your figures have one of the finest display pieces on the market today. As a functional plaything, well, I'm sure quality control will be improved for subsequent runs - Funko's Jack Skellington and Predator figures were dang near perfect.
The figure does a good job of basically replicating the vocabulary of the toys of the era. Pretty much every plastic piece save for the remote are cast in flesh colored plastic, and he's not as pale as some others. The eyes on all three heads I've seen up close are painted fairly perfectly and aligned well, with white eyebrows and brown eyes. The hair is nice and fluffy, and the hairline's deco is just a smidgen off - intentional or not, I like it because a lot of the later The Empire Strikes Back figures similarly had a little extra flesh paint creep up the sleeves on their arms. It feels legit - except for the white speed suit is painted, and not molded. In the long run I think this is better for the figure because you old farts know that white plastic can yellow with age, but white paint? White paint doesn't turn yellow. As such, Funko does deserve a pat on the back for a pretty good design decision.
The actual deco on the costume is better than a figure from 1985 - note the extra colors on the belt, pockets, and pocket protector. Kenner would never have sprang for so man paint applications, so it does give the figure a feeling of a prototype from the era more than a real release figure. (Well, minus the flesh head, and again kudos for that.) It looks like Doc, it feels like Doc, and it's just one of those things that you'll have on your desk or in your collection that feels right to have.
Despite the problems I'd still suggest getting this one if you're a fan of the series. It's Doc - I doubt anyone in their early 30s or older at this point doesn't have some level of affinity for this movie series by now. I'm just happy that this figure exists, and I admit nostalgia is poisoning this review. I got Doc! That's all I can ask for. I won't play with him much given my history with this figure so far, but I'm definitely looking for a good long-term display place for it in my collection. It's charming.
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