Ultimate Gremlins

Ultimate Gremlins

Stripe, Gamer Gremlin

NECA

It's about time NECA got back to the original Gremlins!  What took so long?!  You didn't know you'd make a killing, selling us multiples of the same Gremlin buck or something?  

The Gremlin sculpt is spot-on original Gremlins, with articulation just about everywhere you'd expect it to be in bringing these puppets to toy form.  The hinged jaws and articulated ears are the highlight for me, allowing you to get multiple expressions and accessory-use options.

Accessorizing is what its all about here, with NECA providing quite a bit of add-ons to help your clones stand out from each other on the shelf.  Your Gremlins get quite a bit of junk food (candies, soda) and some interesting headwear (popcorn bags for the ears, 3-D glasses).  

The Gamer Gremlin (a Gamestop exclusive) comes with the popular popcorn bucket hat option, propeller beanie, wrap-around shades, and retro "gamer" accessories like an Atari joystick and Gremlins video game box.  The coolest accessory is the mini-arcade cabinet, even if they had to substitute imagery to get past rights issues for Donkey Kong.  It looks great with the previously released Mogwai, and the joystick is even movable!

The big-bad leader, Stripe gets some yum-yums and a couple of toys to menace Billy Peltzer.  He's got a skateboard to move around the department store to pick up some much-needed hardware like saw blades and an electric chainsaw.  The detailing on the chainsaw is great, but I feel like the plastic here is a bit fragile and a tumble from the shelf might do it in.  Warning, these figures are a bit top heavy!  

Since these accessories are from the department store finale, I feel cheated he didn't come with a revolver.  OH, NO...GUNS!!!  THINK OF THE CHILDREN...with these "adult collectibles?"  From a movie that pushed the envelope and forced the creation of the PG-13 rating guide?  Ugh...I'm more than tired of having that debate at large, let alone leaking into my toy accuracy.  If Spielberg/Amblin wanted to continue being pussies, NECA should have at least made a joke of it and given Stripe a walkie-talkie instead.  Wait...but they allowed Mohawk from Gremlins 2 his machine gun?!  What sense does that make?!  Anyway...on to the cigarettes and beer?

Toys with cigs and beer!  And cards for gambling!  Yes, they can be bad for you, but they are bad, naughty little creatures that do bad things! You couldn't call them "Ultimate" without something from the Dorry's Tavern scene thrown in.  And while I would still like a Gremlin in the Flashdance leg warmers, I'll settle for these dirty little details.  Details...did I ever tell you about the argument I had over wishing a Ray Stantz Ghostbusters figure had a cigarette?  It was the 80s...get over yourself!

These are the Gremlins I've always wanted.  But be warned, the joints can be a little fragile (stuck, paint slop). I recommend breaking rule number 2 with these Gremlins: give 'em a hot bath to loosen them up first.  The Gamer Gremlin's leg snapped at the knee right out of the package (flashback to my NECA Batman 89) with minimal force.  I used a small drill bit to install a small linoleum nail in place of the plastic pin.  Now my Gremlin's knee is better, stronger than ever! Good thing I'm getting good with minor toy repairs to combat bad quality control.  If something like this happens to you, I encourage you to try something like this rather than just gluing broken pieces in place.

Want more Gremlins?  Check out my Ultimate Gizmo review, featuring Gremlins 2: The New Batch figures!