Today I'm reviewing the first Masters of the Universe Chronicles figure based on the movie that I picked up: Tri-Klops! Yes, I did review the
MOTU Chronicles Scare Glow last month, but he doesn't seem to be based on the film and instead feels more reminiscent of the Masterverse New Eternia subset. This version of Tri-Klops is definitely based on the film coming to theaters next month and features the likeness of actor Kojo Attah. Well, what little you can see from underneath his three-eyed visor, anyway. Still, it's pretty exciting to have an action figure from the movie in hand, especially one that looks as cool as Tri-Klops does. This is a very impressive figure! Mattel is really flexing with the Masters of the Universe Chronicles line. Ready to check out Tri-Klops? Then let's take a look at him after the break...
The Facts:
Height: 6 3/4ths inches
Articulation: Double swivel/hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, balljointed hips w/vertical drop down hinges, balljointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, balljointed shoulders w/ balljointed sockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, double swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck, a barbell jointed head, and a swivel visor.
Accessories: Armor, 4 swappable hands, and rifle.
Non-Scalper Price: $27 dollars
Comparison:
* Here's a quick shot of the MOTU Chronicles Tri-Klops (left) next to the Masterverse
New Eternia Tri-Klops (right). While it wasn't as noticeable on Scare Glow, here you can really see the size and scale difference between Chronicles and Masterverse. Chronicles definitely is closer in size to most 1/12th scale mass market lines than Masterverse. He really reminds me of the
200X era wave 3 repaint Tri-Klops.
The Positives:
* Tri-Klops is a pretty cool looking figure. First things first: I'm impressed by how the MOTU movie costume really looks like most depictions of the character and not something created to feel "realistic" or "grounded" for the film. Sure, there are some more elaborate elements and the inclusion of more details but this is clearly Tri-Klops. He's wearing more clothing than the vintage figure but the 200x toys did that with multiple variants and it isn't a bad look at all. It feels like it leans more into the sci-fi direction rather than barbarian fantasy/ swords and sorcery, but I think the movie looks primed to deliver a solid mix of genres. The details are all really crisp here and everything seems uniquely sculpted for the character. There are even what look like individual ammunition rounds on the straps at the sides of his armor.
* Tri-Klops' armor is easily removable, allowing you to check out the cool armored shirt he's wearing underneath. I really like this design. With the black textured fitted shirt with silver details on the sides, it kind of reminds me of the MCU Black Panther costume. Interestingly, you can also see an interesting change to the movie depiction of the character from his arms and no, I'm not just referencing that Tri-Klops is played by a black actor in the film; instead, his arms look mechanical. Like, the color seems to match the face, but they have panels and some silver bolts. Sure, Tri-Klops has a cybernetic visor but now he also seems to have cybernetic arms. He's quite enhanced in power!
* Here's a shot from the back to show off more of Tri-Klops' details. I love the tubes that connect from the front to the back of the armor. I also really like the strips of armor that hang down over his groin, kind of like a loincloth. Each of those little panels has an etching on it, kind of like a rune. They're tough to see due to their size but it's clear there's a detail there. The tone of the colors and the design here really feel reminiscent of the 200x era design for the character which is a win in my book.
* You can't see all of Tri-Klops' face here, so it's tough to really say he looks that much like Kojo Attah, but the visor and hood definitely looks like Tri-Klops. Excellent design and excellent details. Heck, most of the figure even has fantastic dry brushed details and paint washes. All three eyes on his tri-optic scope are red but they do have different shapes: A square, a triangle, and a circle.
* I've heard a couple accounts of Tri-Klops having a visor that just doesn't turn but that seems to be a bit uncommon. Mine rotates freely, allowing you to swap to his different eyes.
* And here's the third eye on the visor: The round one. Each of the eyes has a translucent red lens piece which gives them a cool look, making the eye seem like a cybernetic enhancement rather than an actual eye (some of the earlier figures had eyes painted to look more like an actual organic eye).
* Besides just having cool boots, Tri-Klops is also sporting some fantastic pants with a camouflage pattern. It's a hexagonal patterned camouflage and it looks excellent, definitely fitting Tri-Klops' new role as a sniper or spy of sorts. Back during the 200x era Mattel seemingly did some research and found that kids at the time preferred the figures who wore more clothing rather than less clothing, so many of the 200x era figures received repaints/ variants with outfits that covered more of their skin. I wonder how much inspiration (if any) that line of thinking had in designing the movie costumes for MOTU?
* If you missed my review of the MOTU Chronicles Scare Glow, let me jump right in here and say that Mattel's articulation scheme for Chronicles is just incredible. This is the best articulation on a mass market figure that I can think of, featuring smooth joints with a great range of motion. Imagine if you mixed, say, a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure with a S.H. Figuarts figure. That's the level of quality I'm feeling here. Tri-Klops looks awesome wielding his rifle whether standing or kneeling. He's incredibly fun and I'm having a blast with all of these Chronicles figures I've picked up so far.
* Four hands are included and they swap easily. You get a right hand trigger finger, a standard gripping left hand, and a pair of fists. The hands have the same impressive pattern as Tri-Klops's shirt, too.
* Lastly, let's talk about Tri-Klops' cool rifle. Yes, rather than a sword Tri-Klops now has a rifle. And I'm A-OK with that. It's a darn cool looking rifle, too. While the barrel, grip, and stock look pretty normal (kind of like a Star Wars rifle), the rifle does seem to have three different magazines and the scope is designed in an arc with symbols that correlate to Tri-Klop's visor settings. Can he fire different ammunition based on which lens he's using or his target? Does his visor synch with the scope?
Tri-Klops is very, very cool. I'm really enjoying this line so far and it's getting me more and more pumped for the movie. Tri-Klops' sculpt, paint, and articulation is killer. I do wish he still had a sword or dagger, too, which would have been a worthwhile extra for the design, but he's still a great new take on the character who still is instantly recognizable, too. That rifle is just impressive. Tri-Klops is a Great and a 1/2 figure and while he has fewer accessories than some other toys on the shelf, his articulation is probably better than nearly anything else you'd find out there right now.
For more Masters of the Universe Chronicles reviews check out the following:
Scare Glow
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