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Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo

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1ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:12 pm

GubernatorFan

GubernatorFan
Founding Father
Product Review of Star Ace Queen Gorgo from 300

ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Qg0110

Introduction

Queen Gorgo is Star Ace's third product from the 300 movies, following upon King Leonidas and Themistokles. She also happens to be my first complete set from this series: I already had the Hot Toys Leonidas and only bought parts of the Star Ace Themistokles. You can find detailed reviews of the aforementioned products (as well as Star Ace's Leonidas) by Michael Crawford here: http://www.mwctoys.com/reviews-all.htm

The historical Gorgo (one of History's first recorded victims of creative and inconsiderate parents where name-giving is concerned -- who names their daughter after a gorgon!?) was the niece and wife of the brave Spartan king Leonidas (himself the offspring of an uncle-niece marriage). She was noted as an outspoken woman, whose good advice was ignored (by her father, for example, to his loss), and who dared to speak out among her fellow citizens. Then again, this sort of assertiveness was expected of Spartan women (to the dismay of other Greeks), and the sort of things she said inevitably reinforced the values and priorities of Sparta's militaristic society (e.g., "come back with your shield or on it!"). The historical Gorgo did not go on to lead Sparta's (largely fictitious) navy to decisive effect at the Battle of Salamis after her husband's death at the Thermopylai. Considering that 300 is about as historically accurate as its parody, Meet the Spartans, I suppose I should not really go down that path. In the 300 movies, Gorgo is portrayed by the beautiful Lena Headey, now better known as Game of Thrones' Queen Cersei.

Packaging: 3.5/4 stars

The rectangular box opens its front cover to reveal the figure and its accessories in a transparent plastic tray, but you need to open the box from the top (or bottom, I suppose), to get to the goodies inside. Everything is pretty collector friendly. The outside of the box features what appear to be images from the highly stylized film, including Greek hoplites pushing Persian troops off a cliff into the sea, a hillside littered with skulls, and the signature blood spatter effect. All this is with a matte finish, but over it is superimposed a glossy still of Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo. As attractive as this is, in a way it backfires: it provides a glimpse at what the product should look like but it does not -- in terms of the actress' features and even her outfit!

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Sculpting: 3/4 stars

The face sculpt is nice enough in itself, but it does not seem to capture the features of Lena Headey very well. Despite an attempt to pay attention to detail (like the mole on the right of the nose), to my eyes it seems closer to Daisy Ridley (Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy). Looking at images of Lena Headey, it appears to me that the forehead is a bit too tall and vertical, and the face a bit too long. The hair is partly sculpted, partly rooted. The sculpted part of the hair is the front part, around the face. Unfortunately, it is made up of two parts, and the seam line between them is bit more obvious than it should be. The rooted hair is partly held down over the top of the head by sculpted braids, which was nice idea, but once the rooted hair clears the braids, it tends to jut out in an unrealistic manner. Perhaps with enough product one could get it a little more under control. The hair itself is wavy, which is a nice touch and an attempt to replicate the onscreen look.

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The toes of the sandaled feet appear rather naively sculpted, and there isn't much in the way of detail there or on the hands. The shield is pitted to make it look worn and damaged, but only in places, while the sword appears perfectly pristine. The body is partly seamless -- the upper torso including the breasts and arms is one piece, and the elbows and ankles are covered by the flexible rubbery material. While the overall shape is pretty decent, there is woefully little detail -- for example, the very pronounced and fine shoulder blades on the back are nowhere to be seen on the action figure. The seam between the upper and lower torso is quite noticeable every time the top pleather strap on the front of the dress slips down a bit, and that happens a lot.

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Paint: 3/4 stars

The paint is uneven, with some areas very nicely painted, and others very basic or incomplete. The eyes are nicely done, though perhaps not as glossy as they might have been. The lips and eyebrows are very finely painted, though the eyelashes are a bit too simplistic/obvious, while at the same time failing to make the eyes as expressive as those of the actress. The face shows plenty of subtle paint variation and freckling, but that is not extended to the body, except perhaps for a little bit on the neck. Considering how much of the flesh shows, this is not enough. The finger- and toe nails are painted in a rather modern shade of light pink; I don't know if that is movie-accurate or not. The gold or brass color of the earrings and arm band are perhaps a tad dull, as is the rather flat brown of the sculpted part of the hair. Then there are outright mistakes: the face is painted a slightly warmer shade than the body, and the sculpted sandal straps are not completely painted: the narrow sides are left the same color as the feet.

ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Qg0310

Articulation: 3/4 stars

The body has very decent articulation which, as so often, is limited by the outfit. Considering what the outfit consists of, this is quite the negative achievement. Shoulder, ankle, neck, abdomen, and waist articulation are great; wrist articulation is more limited. The elbows can bend to a 45 degree angle between upper and lower arm, while the knees can bed to a 90 degree angle between the upper and lower leg. The thigh articulation is more limited, at least in part because of the narrow lower part of the dress. Still, it would be possible to make the figure sit. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to give her wider stances. I do not know what were the functional limitations of the movie costume, but either its costumers or Star Ace are completely ignorant of the nature of ancient Greek clothing, which would have left a long (if concealed) slit on one side of the dress. A better-designed outfit and a better seamless body (like those by Phicen/TBLeague or Jiaou Doll) could have earned this category an easy 4/4.

ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Qg1310

Accessories: 3/4 stars

Onscreen, Gorgo does not have much in the way of accessories, so their scarcity with the figure is partly excusable. It also depends on your definition of accessories. There are spare parts: two extra hands, making a total of four (or two pairs) -- the relaxed hands she comes with, and the grip hands you can replace them with. There are a couple of additional items that form part of her costume but come separately in the tray: an arm band and a wolf fang necklace. There is also a standard base and stem action-figure stand with a waist-grip; the stand's base features the 300 logo. Then there are a sword and a shield of the same type as Leonidas'. These accessories are nicely sculpted and fit well into the grip hands, and the shield is easy enough to put on her arm (although its flat inner surface is historically inaccurate). The hands swap easily enough without the need for heating.

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Outfit: 3/4 stars

Gorgo/Lena Headey wore several similar Greek-ish outfits in the movie, not counting the battle-dress at her (fictional) involvement in the Battle of Salamis. One of these outfits is provided with this product. It is visually fairly accurate, and appears to be made of a linen or linen-like cloth. I have already mentioned the unfortunate tight fit of the lower part of the dress, which ruins the leg articulation. There is a long scarf-like extension of the dress that starts from the front left side of the waist, and is intended to wrap around the back of the dress and be held or wrapped around the lower left arm. To keep it wrapped in place there is a button, but additional futzing may be required to get it to "drape" in a more or less realistic fashion. This is all rooted in the film's unrealistic (or unhistorical) rationalization of Greek dress, where the dress (or tunic) itself would have been one piece, and the almost ubiquitous wrap (or fuller-scale cloak), another. Two pleather straps hold the uppermost part of the dress (also an unhistorical design) into place. The straps passing just under the breasts have the tendency to slip down and reveal the seam between the upper and lower and torso of the figure, requiring extra futzing. As mentioned above, you need to place the arm band and wolf fang necklace on the figure, which is easy enough to do. Another minor shortcoming: the wolf fang is so light, that the string it hands from does not hang realistically.

ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Qg0410

Fun Factor: 3/4 stars

The articulation limitations get in the way of this figure's potential, but at least she has two buddies to play with: her husband (and uncle!) Leonidas (whether you go for the Hot Toys or Star Ace version) and Themistokles. Of course, a more accurate depiction of the actress would not have hurt. As far as mixing this with more historically-accurate figures (such as the ACI hoplites), that would depend on your tolerance for lack of realism or accuracy. Of course, Star Ace was depicting a movie character, not a real and realistic Spartan queen.

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Value: 2/4 stars

This depends on how much you pay for the figure. There are still places (check eBay) where you can find it for under $200, but they are few and far between; in most places she sells for $220-290. That is Hot Toys pricing, and even though Hot Toys itself is not always flawless, this product is not really in the same category. So, for the most part, I would say she is quite overpriced.

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Things to watch out for

Nothing unusual. Be gentle with the hair, a few little strands became detached here and there. The figure managed to fall on its face a few times during posing and photographing, and unless I am imagining it, got a little blemish on its nose. I think she also developed a small stain on one shoulder -- but how remains a mystery.

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Overall: 3/4 stars

This is a very decent, even good figure, but it is not great. The imperfect likeness, the uneven paint job, the partly limited articulation, are all noticeable, and a significant factor especially at this relatively high price point. Unless you are a completist or a kitbasher or just like the appearance of the figure, you might be disappointed in one or more of these areas. Whether that keeps you from getting this figure is, of course, up to you.

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What do you think?



#productreview #starace #gorgo #300 #ancient #film #female


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2ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:16 am

scalawag

scalawag
Well I was hoping for something a bit more when I read the title.

This is a nice enough figure, but the likeness as you say is sadly lacking, and I am not that keen on how the transition from sculpted to rooted hair looks.

The feet do look very basic, and the painted sandals to me look just that painted.

I think for this one Star Ace have stayed to close to the middle of the road and made too many compromises leaving it an OK figure but not a great one especially at its price point.

She does look good around the other figures, but as a "movie" figure you can't get away from that need to look like the actor/character.


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ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Yv5cCVM

3ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:36 am

brassco

brassco
i'm more interested to know more about the body type...is it fully seamless? hard breast or soft? tpe or plastic? This could be the answer to a cheaper body that i don't have to worry about staining but looks great on skimpier clothes without the obvious joint on the arm or shoulder, or even the hips.
thanks for the review!

4ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:15 am

Stryker2011

Stryker2011
Founding Father
Yeah. I’ve debated time and again about this one. I really wanted to have this next to Leonidas, but aside from her clothes, and some parts of the HS (even though it doesn’t look like Lena), I just don’t see anything worth spending that kind of money on. If this had been $100 less I would have grabbed it. Thanks for the review, it’s going to save me some money.


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ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo C8485110

5ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:05 am

GubernatorFan

GubernatorFan
Founding Father
Thanks for commenting, Paul, brassco, and Stryker! Yes, depending on one's needs, a mediocre/decent/good product (certainly not great) for a high price.

Brassco -- in case I needed to be more clear, the body is only partly seamless (seamless upper torso with the shoulders and arms and elbows, and, separately, seamless legs and knees -- but couldn't check the lower torso area). Soft, TPE (more similar to Jiaou than Phicen/TBLeague feel), decent looking (but not as finely sculpted/molded as Jiaou and especially Phicen/TBLeague -- see my note on the missing shoulder blades).


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6ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:09 am

Stryker2011

Stryker2011
Founding Father
Yeah. I think this one deserves a body swap for sure. If you can find a pair of the Sparta feet loose (with sandals). But then that would make this figure around $300...


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ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo C8485110

7ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:53 am

blackpool

blackpool
Thanks for the review, kinda disapointed by the figure I confess, I wanted to grab her head to make a custom Cersei, I guess I'll pass for now lol. It's still a decent figure to add to a spartan lineup but the likeness to lena headey is a total miss.

Thanks anyway for the cool pictures!

8ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:09 am

GubernatorFan

GubernatorFan
Founding Father
Stryker2011 wrote:Yeah. I think this one deserves a body swap for sure. If you can find a pair of the Sparta feet loose (with sandals). But then that would make this figure around $300...

Body swap might be difficult because of the tightness of that dress. It would be hard to remove, and harder still to put on on a different (say Phicen/TBLeague) body.

blackpool wrote:Thanks for the review, kinda disapointed by the figure I confess, I wanted to grab her head to make a custom Cersei, I guess I'll pass for now lol. It's still a decent figure to add to a spartan lineup but the likeness to lena headey is a total miss.
Thanks anyway for the cool pictures!

You are welcome. I knew it would be far from perfect, but I got it in a moment of relative weakness. I, too, was thinking of using her for a Cersei from time to time. I don't regret it, but a flawed product for sure.


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9ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Thu Apr 12, 2018 1:14 am

rollotomasi

rollotomasi
Great review, GB! What an overpriced underwhelming figure! But i do see Lena Heady in there... another case of good sculpt knocked down by mediocre paint app!
I think a bit of makeup will greatly improve the likeness.

10ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Thu Apr 12, 2018 2:51 am

Adeno


I've always been curious about these 300 1/6 toys, thanks for this review now I have a better idea of them! I didn't know the actress was that girl from Game of Thrones! For some reason, whenever I think of her, I imagine her in her pained, somewhat angry and sad look Smile


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11ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:24 am

dadrab

dadrab
rollotomasi wrote:Great review, GB! What an overpriced underwhelming figure! But i do see Lena Heady in there... another case of good sculpt knocked down by mediocre paint app!
I think a bit of makeup will greatly improve the likeness.

I agree wholeheartedly. This is a very good review...fair without being gushy.

And, I also agree particularly with the sculpt being a textbook case of the likeness being let down by halfassed paint. With a little work on the mouth, that sculpt could be a dead ringer for the actor.

As it sits, it's not.

Still a nice enough looking figure, though.

Well done, sir.

12ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:59 am

GubernatorFan

GubernatorFan
Founding Father
Thank you, rollotomasi, Adeno, and dadrab! It is probably the eyes that they couldn't get to look right, and Lena Headey has a very specific look to them, with plenty of expressiveness and shadow that is not visible on the product. I couldn't replicate it even by moving the light every which way.


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13ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Thu Apr 12, 2018 1:21 pm

Stryker2011

Stryker2011
Founding Father
Yeah, she tends to have a certain amount of squint to her eyes, and a set to her jaw and lips, that they left alone. Not sure why. I think facial expression is one of the biggest failings in 1/6 scale as there only seems to be 3 options: smile, zombie stare, & scowl. It was one of the reasons I didn’t buy in to all the hype for the Blitzway Ghostbusters figures. Instead of capturing the goofy playfullness of the characters, they gave them all serious expressions like they were soldiers in Vietnam or something.


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ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo C8485110

14ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:18 pm

DrDoubleDaddyDawg


Great review GubernatorFan. I think I’ll pass on this figure. Too bad!!

15ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Sat Apr 14, 2018 1:55 am

GubernatorFan

GubernatorFan
Founding Father
Thank you DrDoubleDaddyDawg! Let's see how you feel about the Artemisia figure they are preparing... although I might pass on that one. Smile


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16ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Sat Apr 14, 2018 7:38 pm

DeltaForceChung

DeltaForceChung
I feel bad for Queen Gorgo. She could have been much more.

17ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:37 am

Rogerbee

Rogerbee
Founding Father
Great review,

The figure, not great at all. The head is bland, very generic and couldn't be further from Lena Headey if it tried. (I did a 3D head of her in Poser, so I have studied her likeness in great detail) The body is also wrong, too busty for Lena. Basically, what you have here is a cosplayer that wouldn't win any prizes. Star Ace do look to be going downhill. I liked their Bill Nighy figure, but, none of the others has really blown me away.

Here's my Poser head:

ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Txr6ctE

CHEERS!

18ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:12 pm

GubernatorFan

GubernatorFan
Founding Father
That's a very cool creation, Roger. You have skills. Someone else mentioned the body type mismatch too, when they looked at my photos. I hadn't thought of that.


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19ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Tue Apr 17, 2018 12:43 am

Allotropos

Allotropos
I wonder what Lena Headey thinks of the actual release.


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ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo AH5gGa0

20ancient - Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Empty Re: Product Review Star Ace Queen Gorgo Tue Apr 17, 2018 12:49 am

Rogerbee

Rogerbee
Founding Father
If she's anything like Cersei the retribution will be swift and brutal!

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