As is the way of Masters of the Universe Classics, Saurod is billed as an "Evil Spark Shooting Reptile" but does not shoot sparks, at all. The original toy had a mechanism, but that sort of thing was engineered out of toys during the Clinton administration. Add in the fact that fans were convinced that articulation always trumps action features, and you get an admittedly good - but not as fun as it could be - action figure geared to collectors that exists solely to put a check in a box so that Mattel could update the original line. This is a very nice figure - but I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish that they found a way to simulate sparks via an alternate head or a snap-on piece.
As always, the Four Horsemen and Mattel delivered a great sculpt with good paint. It looks better than the original, plus they gave him a holster for his blaster - a nice touch. It's a tight fit, but it will fit in there or in his hand. The left hand is sculpted open and with big claws, with a gold and bony armored outside and a scaly green interior. Mattel refined the armor on this figure as well, with less bulky chest armor making it look almost like it's part of the upper torso. The figure is covered in amazing, subtle sculpted detail with al sorts of dents, rivets, and panels complete with straps and buckles on the back. The design looks very well-thought-out, granting the lizard man a tail as well as tail coverings.
Articulation is pretty much normal. The ankles don't really rock, but everything else moves and bends like you'd expect over the last almost-a-decade. He has nice stiff joints and no problems standing.
If you get in really close to the face, it feels like an antique. I hesitate to use a phrase like steampunk, but it does remind me of some of the Return to Oz designs. There are little elements when you come in close like a guard around the mouth, because Skeletor's insurance plan has some awesome orthodontic benefits. Numerous metallic panels and rivets look forged together by hand to create sort of the anti-Darth Vader, given its silhouette and not-being-too-smooth. If this was black, you'd call it a Vader rip-off, I'm sure, but it's pretty cool.
While his coloring doesn't quite perfectly match the movie, it does put the movie's basic design on a great looking action figure with colors that closely match the original toy. I hesitate to say "get it" but it's weird and neat enough that even without the Masters of the Universe connection, it's a pretty nifty figure. It doesn't sing - but it looks like it came out of some weird fantasy movie with zero budget, and that's more or less the truth isn't it? If the price is right, get one. Sure, it's mostly just two colors but it's not like you'll probably ever see another new Saurod toy in your lifetime.
16bit.com is best not viewed in Apple's Safari browser, we don't know why. All material on this site copyright their respective copyright holders. All materials appear hear for informative and entertainment purposes. 16bit.com is not to be held responsible for anything, ever. Photos taken by the 16bit.com staff. Site design, graphics, writing, and whatnot credited on the credits page. Be cool-- don't steal. We know where you live and we'll break your friggin' legs.
RSS 
