While
Masters of the Universe has been out of theaters for sometime now and wasn't a hit, it's apparently been quite successful on Amazon Prime and the physical media versions (Blu-Ray, DVD, and 4K Blu-Ray) just came out last week and seem to be strong sellers. I really liked the movie and I'm still holding out hope that the numbers for streaming and toy sales are strong enough that Amazon wants to visit Eternia again. There was a fairly strong toy presence at retail but one issue that I think is worth talking about was the number of different scales and styles of figures available. These days it seems like most toylines for major media try to release a smaller number of characters in multiple scales and styles (so hitting multiple price points) rather than having one standard line with a wide selection of characters. The
mainline figures seemed to have a decent number of releases and went fairly deep (with more figures apparently coming, though likely as Amazon exclusives) while Chronicles and the Movie-based Origins lines were a bit more limited. I like Origins for some things but I'm not sure they made a ton of sense for the new movie. Still, when I found out there was a Moss Man for the movie Origins line (who, to the best of my knowledge, is the only movie Moss Man yet released) I had to jump in. You all know that Moss Man is my dude and while I was maybe a 7/10 on his portrayal in the film with such limited screen time, I was absolutely devastated that he died so quickly. What? Why? Still, a Moss Man is a Moss Man and he can join my flock of Moss Men in my collection. I'm also a pretty big Ram Man fan as well, so I wasn't upset about getting him as the other figure in this two-pack which I believe is exclusive to Target. Ready to check out two of Eternia's most powerful warriors? Then join me after the break...
The Facts: Moss Man
Height: 6 inches
Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, swivel/hinge knees, balljointed hips, swivel waist, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.
Accessories: Club and loincloth.
The Facts: Ram Man
Height: 5 3/8ths inches
Articulation: Swivel/hinge knees, "springy" legs, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a ball jointed head.
Accessories: Axe
Non-Scalper Price: $45 dollars
The Positives:
* I really like the look of the figure so, even if I'm not thrilled that the movie killed off my guy so quickly, I still do like his appearance. Moss Man has two ways he can be portrayed: He's either a more beastly, sasquatch like guy with green fur or he's something more akin to a nature deity; wise, ancient, and kind of like the Green Man in folklore. The movie went with more of the green sasquatch inspired vibe which I do think fits the 1980s portrayals of the character better. He's not just green, though, he is flocked and has multiple shades of green and yellow on him, giving him a more impressive appearance. That's quite welcome, especially when MOTU Origins is kind of known for it's simplicity. The loincloth is a separate piece that sits over the waist (remember these guys are modular and come apart easily) and features various sculpted details like vines and chain along with painted bones or teeth hanging down.
* The portrait is pretty good here. It's not a perfect match for the film but it's in the ballpark for sure, especially considering the MOTU Origins figures rely on a more vintage style and design aesthetic. I really do like this portrait. If the vintage Moss Man had been able to receive his own unique headsculpt rather than just receiving a repainted Beast Man portrait, this feels like what might have been. A lot of the vintage art of Moss Man really did lean into the green sasquatch look and that's kind of what we have here. There are definitely some nice paint applications here, keeping everything from looking too flat.
* Is Moss Man flocked? Yes, he is! He isn't flocked everywhere but he does have a nice spread of flocking across his shoulders and chest and it actually looks pretty good. While not every Moss Man has been flocked, it's definitely something that most people think about when the character is brought up, so I'm glad it's present here. It's actually a nice balance between flocking, paint, and sculpting.
* Moss Man is built like nearly every other MOTU Origins figure that's come out. That means he has some fairly decent articulation on a body with the proportions of the vintage line. He can move alright, though his hips are a bit stuff, and you can definitely pose him more than the vintage toys. He's also fully modular, so you can mix him together with other figures from any of the Origins lines, the WWE lines, or the Thundercats, Transformers, and TMNT crossover lines.
* I don't think Moss Man carried any weapon in the movie but fortunately Mattel still gave this figure an accessory. It's the same club that the Origins Moss Man came with but now molded in a dark grey plastic with somewhat of a metallic look to it.
* Let's talk about Ram Man! I thought Ram Man was also quite cool in the movie and I liked how the film portrayed his power and physicality. The MOTU Origins movie Ram Man does seem to utilize the arms and legs from the standard Origins Ram Man but the torso, hands, and head are unqiue for this figure. The MOTU movie really did a great job with the costumes and there is absolutely no doubt as to who you're looking at here; it's definitely Ram Man! His tunic looks like it's made from an armored material with many tiny rivets while his chest and shoulder armor has an interesting design that looks like metal with a patina. Remember: In the movie the heroes were on the run and in hiding, so it's probably been some time since Ram Man was really able to care for his gear as ideally as he should.
* Ram Man's face is peaking out from his helmet and, given the style of MOTU Origins, it's a pretty decent likeness to actor Jon Xue Zhang. The head is a separate piece from the helmet although it isn't removable.
* This Ram Man operates like the Origins Ram Man which also retained a version of his vintage action feature. It's a little different from the 1983 toy but I kind of think this one makes a bit more sense. When you push down on his legs, they go up into his body and lock into place. Push down on them again and they unlock, allowing him to spring upwards! It's kind of fun. Not overly impressive or anything but it does work about as well as the vintage toy and it feels like he has a nice, strong spring to him. He's fun to fool around with while knocking over figures over.
* Ram Man doesn't seem to use an axe in the film, either, but he comes with one reused from MOTU Origins that nicely mimics his vintage accessory.
* Ram Man is sturdy and well built and he has more articulation than the vintage figure.
The Negatives:
* Unfortunately, that's about it. His head barely moves and while the boot swivels are nice to have, the swivel/hinge knees are essentially worthless. Bummer. It feels like he could have had a bit more motion and still have retained his action feature but that's not the care here.
I'm a fan of both characters here and these are... OK versions of them. They're fun and decent MOTU Origins figures but they're both a bit barebones, aren't they? You're paying a little over $20 for each of these ($45 for the set) and they're missing some of the cool stuff that the pricier MOTU Origins figures usually come with like a couple extras or a minicomic. They're just a bit light for the price. They're still solid and probably a Good and a 1/2 set, but unless you really want vintage styled figures of characters from the movie or you just really like these two, why go with the Origins line over the standard movie figures or the Chronicles?
Moss Man (real name Kreann'Ot N'Norosh)
is one of my favorite characters out there and along with the vintage Moss Man I've also reviewed the 200x Moss Man, the Masterverse Revelation Moss Man and the New Eternia
Moss Man,
the MOTU Origins Moss Man and Cartoon Collection (200x)
Moss Man,
the M.U.S.C.L.E. Moss Man, a stick of Eternia Pine Deodorant, the MOTUC Moss Man, the Dorbz Moss Man and Beast Man 2-pack, the POP! Moss Man #568, the POP! + Pez Moss Man dispenser, the Vinyl SODA Moss Man, the Pint Size Heroes Moss Man, the Monogram International Moss Man bag clip, the Masters of the Universe Minis Battle Armor Skeletor and Moss Man 2-pack, and the Mega Construx flocked Moss Man that came with the Battle Bones set and the standard Moss Man.
If you're a fan of Ram Man/ Krass, I've also reviewed the 200x
Ram Man, the Origins
Ram Man, the Masterverse: New Eternia
Ram Man, the MOTU Chronicles
Ram Man and Fisto set, the Netflix
Ram Ma'am (a Rule 63 Ram Man), the M.U.S.C.L.E. green
Ram Man and traditional pink
Ram Man, the ReAction standard
Ram Man and
Ram Man (Mini Comic), the Loyal Subjects
Ram Man, the Eternia minis
Ram Man, the Hot Wheels Ram Man emblazoned
'41 Willys Coupe 2002 #91, the Turtles of Grayskull
Ram Man, and the MOTUC
Ram Man.
For more Masters of the Universe Origins reviews check out the following:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection (200X)
The Powers of Grayskull
Sketchbook Series
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