So let’s start talking toy. I kinda feel the same about the toy as I did the character in the movie. Some promise, probably enough to keep most folks happy, but just not quite executed to the point of being a memorable, great toy. I bought him for the ensemble – though it’s not much of one since the MCU has thus far only received four villains in the Marvel Legends line (that averages out to about one every other year!).
Things start off strong with the sculpt. The height is great clocking in at 8” and towering over the handful of MCU MLs we already have. And while the sculpt is more an approximation of the film than accurate, it’s not bad. A lot of the details are there with the figure only deviating when the film opted to use gaps. This is worst at the waist joint where a swivel cut chops mercilessly though the circuity and filled in areas alike and cheapens the whole area as a result. The elbows & thighs have similar issues, but are covered for much more easily. I’m okay with most of those decisions here. What hurts the sculpt for me is the expression. He kinda looks like he can’t believe you just hurt his feelings instead of anything remotely menacing. As a whole piece, he looks good on the shelf though, so I’m content with the sculpt.
I also enjoy the articulation. Ultron has ball-joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips (limited), & ankles; double-hinges at the elbows & knees; swivels at the waist & thighs; and an ab-crunch. This is actually a ton of great articulation that should allow for some truly great poses. And it does, as long as you compensate for some soft plastic on the legs. Not just the knees, but everything from the knee down. This is where things take a turn. That soft plastic, along with a hollow torso (why not have the gaps then?), just make the figure feel really cheap. And when you just bought six figures and paid $120 to get this guy, cheap is the last word you want to enter your mind.
Which brings me to the worst part: the paint. Now, silver is tricky for toys, but that’s a problem to be overcome, not an excuse. Ultron is molded head to toe in a dull gray and then only select areas were painted silver: the front of the legs, the front of the shoulders & biceps, the front and top of the upper torso, and most of the head. The silver blends into the gray well as it curves around the figure, but it’s pretty terrible in certain spots. Compare the top & bottom half of the arms, where the thighs meet the hip joints, or the entire back of the figure. It’s not terrible – it’s not early Hasbro Marvel Legends, but it takes us right back to that cheap moniker.
Overall, I’m torn about where to place the final verdict on the figure. The scale & sculpt are what we’ve come to expect as Hasbro has continuously upped their game on their BAFs in recent years, but Ultron’s cheap materials and paint simply doesn’t continue that trend. If you just collect Marvel Legends, or are like me and love the MCU while enjoying oddball figures like Tigershark & Bulldozer, then this is an easier pill to swallow. You get seven figures for your $120 purchase. If you’re just a fan of Ultron though? This figure isn’t good enough for that kind of coin. For me, I’ll be adding him to shelf and blending him out with the other MCU figures, but I’ll also have my fingers crossed that Hulkbuster – another MCU BAF ensconced in a comic wave – turns out a lot better.
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Probably just me, but that figure, specifically the face, is just all kinds of shades of ugly. Plus as you said, having a sad face, rather than a menancing one is just a really poor choice on the sculpters’ part.
I’m defintely passing on making him, but I’m highly interested in the other figures from this wave minsut he movie Antman. He…just doesn’t do it for me.
Now getting Tiger Shark and the Grim Reaper? Hell’s to the yeah! About time!
I pre-ordered those bad boys on Amazon as soon as I could.
Probably going to wish I had done the same for that Bulldozer figure though, since I know he’ll be highly sought after to complete the Wrecking Crew.
I saw this guy on Saturday at Heroes-Con in Charlotte. Someone had him loose and I initially didn’t recognize him as the Marvel Legends build-a-figure. He’s just not that impressive. It wasn’t until I saw the price tag that I realized what he was (the dealer had him for $70 dollars).
I’m glad you mentioned that Hasbro does a piss poor job of releasing the villains for the MCU in Marvel Legends. What the heck is the problem there?
They got me last time, I bought two figures I didn’t have any interest or emotional investment in so I could build Thanos. This wave? The only one I have ANY interest in is Movie Ant-Man.
I can’t do it. I can’t pull the trigger on so many figures I just don’t want to build Ultron.
And yes, I know, so many will sell off the figures they don’t want, and I can’t do THAT because stupid and some form of OCD and whatever. I can’t even throw the damn boxes away, I’ve got boxes and boxes of boxes, ya know?
Well, maybe I’ll pick up The Wasp, if I see her on the peg…maybe…
I’m still trying to get moved and I finally just said “Fk IT!” and pulled a couple decorated trays for “posing” later, then set aside one full box for each figure and tossed the rest. (LOTS of custom fodder! I never realized I would be looking forward to HELLCAT this much!) The current Hasbro boxes (ML and 6″ SW) are just a BIG mistake. the part theft/swappage has become ludicrous, and the stores are clueless for the most part on the returns. I saw someone post a pic that showed their store had put those electronic “spider web” anti-theft devices on some packages, but then that adds to the overall bulkiness on shelves/pegs, as well.
I’m not sure about that Ant-Man. the trailers and other clips show Rudd with a full face mask or nothing, yet the figure has an open mouth and no separate mouth (guard?) piece to add. Not sure what’s up with that. the body seems like it has potential, tho. I just saw the MS version today and it has a second, unhelmeted Rudd head, unlike Hasbro’s.
For some reason, Ultron’s head makes me think of General Grievous.
Thanks for the review Noisy. After finishing your article and Fwoosh’s article on the figure, I have decided to cancel my order. Initially, I was pretty stoked to get my hands on the movie Ultron but after all the disappointing pictures I’ve seen I just can’t get myself to shell out that much money for it. However, I left my Giant man and Wasp pre-order alone, so it’s not a total lost.
Not a big Marvel Select fan but I’m really hoping they’ll churn out something that’s more likable.
I didn’t really like anything about the MCU Ultron. I thought the voice, the cheesy attempts at humor, the pre-Terminator understanding of networked technology that went into the concept, it was all pretty lame. I’m not predisposed to liking Ultron in general. The comic character never did anything for me. I said the same thing about Vision, but Paul Bettany won me over. Spader did not win me over with his portrayal of Ultron.
So, to have a figure of a character I didn’t really love (though I try to keep up to date on my MCU collecting), and to have to buy a bunch of figures I really don’t much care about to get him, I was already waffling and whether or not to even try to build Ultron. I think this review tipped me into the “don’t bother” side of the fence. I completed Thanos, but I like Thanos a little better than Ultron, and there were far fewer figures I didn’t want involved in building him (anybody want a Batroc?).
I picked up the Legacy Rocketeer this weekend too! A really, really great figure…up until his leg sheared off at the thigh when I tried to turn the swivel joint.
I keep waiting to see him show up on Diamond’s shipping lists, but no joy yet.
Where are you finding Cliff?
Found him at a Toys R Us, along with the Legacy Firefly figures.
The body reminds me of T-800 (esp the 90s Kenner version), but the head and especially the mouth have always bugged me since they were revealed. moreso when I saw the movie and his “lips” MOVED. ugh. I like the actor, but the character soured even more with his “jokes”. ugh.
at least this guy looks better than the TB Legendary Riders’ “Ultron Bunny”. oy.
I knew I shouldn’t have skipped buying that MS Ultron on FCBD, but I have several of the IM3 versions to tide me over.
I don’t have this wave yet, but plan on ordering them soon…ish.
(supposedly, there are a few e-tailers shipping now, but most seem to be finding them at TRU?)
I am looking more forward to the Target 3pk with the modified silver/red Beetle from last year for Ultron, “buzzcut” Hulk and white “rebooted” Vision from WCA.
Good to know! I was only interested in Ultron and mildly interested in the others, so this looks like a good one to skip. Kinda wish they would just make him a regular figure, but…ah well. There will be other Ultrons.
Maybe brain fart but…who are you counting as the other two Marvel Legends MCU villains? I can only think of Loki. Lizard and Electro?
Also this wave was actually the opposite for me. I’d generally been shying away from the movie characters unless I had to get them to finish a BAF (although – between Iron Monger, Green Goblin, the Mandroid and Thanos – that alone meant I have quite a few).
Ultron here is just tasty-enough gravy for me because I LOVE this line-up. I’m all about C-list villains (my Masters of Evil shelf has been growing rapidly these last few waves) and the Wasp is a needed improvement and the Giant Man will match the SDCC exclusive. And the Ant-Man design is by far my favore MCU design so far.
So I’m pleased as punch.
Also, I don’t know that I’ve bought all that many figures that I was vastly disappointed in for the sake of a build-a-figure yet. Maybe not my top choices but I didn’t mind having them.
(Although Bleeding Edge Iron Man is reeeeeeeally pushing it with his awful hips.)
Well me I gotta get the Wrecking Crew finished (await to see Zombie WC customs down the road.) And Tiger Shark was originally part of the original Jubilee wave and Grim Reaper is just great to have. Ofcourse not seen yet and still have Hob, Odin to finish and start Thanos (that wave flew and Target crazy weird prices( 20.29 sounds like.an after added tax from old day price) makes me iffy on what future holds) I’ve gotten behind.
HIS FACE IS UGLY, marvel legends quality is reducing and prices increasing
boo to no Yellow Jacket. That’s the problem, they should have a second Guardians of the Galaxy wave with just the villains, maybe shoehorn in The Other, then that one would come with Build-a-Figure movie Thanos.