In 2020, it was confirmed that Diamond Select had secured the license to produce action figures from the New Line Cinema Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The team at DST confirmed an initial plan for 6 figures, and a 7th bonus Build-A-Figure who would be collected over the first three waves.
Rather than utilise the oversize blisters that Diamond have used for many years for their 7-inch action figures, the Lord of the Rings characters are packed in these sleek and more collector-friendly window boxes. It uses a blue base design that runs with the Middle Earth map as part of the background. There are then bright golden LOTR logos applied across the front and sides. The front of the box carries a generic image in the bottom right of Gandalf, Sauron and Frodo rather than individual images for the packed character. Therefore only the character name changes between each box.
The rear of the box features a circular design with the elvish script from the Ring of Power around it. It acts as a checklist of releases and shows images of both Gimli and Legolas within. Under this is a further image with the Sauron Build-a-Figure shown alongside the Elf and Dwarf giving some scale to what we will end up with by the time we finish wave 3. The back of the box did give an opportunity for some background of each character, but this has been missed and instead, there is a generic piece of text - with the character name changed on each box - that confirms the source material as The Fellowship of the Ring, and reads:-
"This deluxe action figure of Gimil is based on his appearance in Lord of the Rings ; The Fellowship of the Ring. It features approximately 16 points of articulation. and character-specific accessories. It also includes a part to build Sauron - collect the first six figures to assemble the 13-inch figure!"
There is a noticeable issue with the window box in that the figure is not easy to see compared to the old Select packaging, or other window box figures. The reason is the decision to include two layers of plastic - an outer window and a second layer that cocoons the figure. This creates a double glazing reflective effect and is also not particularly environmentally savvy as we try to reduce plastics. Once you've worked through all the plastic you will also find a lovely backing card piece that uses the Middle Earth map.
Gimli is a solid figure in hand with plenty of weight. The head sculpt is superb with a very good likeness to the heavily made-up John Ryhs-Davies as we see him on screen. The beard is a triumph considering the complexity of it, and the detail around the helmet is intricate and looks brilliant.
The costume goes a little plain after the head area with a brown tunic and silver armoured panels down the arm overlaid with a couple of gold shoulder sections and a belt buckle with similar bronze colouring as the helmet with a dark wash to bring out the detail. Gimli is carrying his pack on his back and there are a couple of other iron rings around the costume. The boots are a little bit of a let down when you see the detail built into them and they've then be left as a single brown colour on the upper section, but washed in bronze on the feet part causing a disparity.
Gimli is armed with three different axes. We start with the single-handed axes. The first is his walking axe with a shaped, cutout blade. The second is his beard battle-axe with a more simplistic axe-head. Both are very well cast in a hard plastic and with bright silver painted blades, bronze detailing on the head and a brown grip section. You will need to swap out Gimlo's provided hands to the alternative gripping pair to use these axes. There is a loop on the belt that allows one of these smaller axes to be stowed when not in use.
You also get the larger two-handed axe that he collects in Moria and that belonged to his cousin, Balin. This is a lovely piece with the same silver blade, bronze connecting headpiece and brown ribbed handle. It is just a pity that there is no option for Gimli to stow this on his back along with the rest of his gear.
Gimli has 16 points of articulation as stated on the box. These are all single joints, there are no double-jointed knees or elbows. Gimli can gesture well enough with his arms and there are plenty of weapons poses available to him. The head is held in check by the beard, but can be turned partially so Gimli is looking to the side.
The legs are short and held behind the lower part of his tunic. They are sturdy and the joints tight and secure so standing Gimli is a simple operation and he holds most poses well and without any risk of him falling over.
As a launch figure for a Lord of the Rings action figure line, Gimli is a brave choice ahead of characters like Aragorn or Gandalf. While he is a bold choice, he is also a great choice considering and the figure is a triumph. For your £25 UK price point you get a lovely looking dwarf with crisp sculpt, and loads of detail in the face, beard and armour. You also get three axe options, and an alternative pair of hands to provide various display options and articulation that is considered and supports the posing while not being over the top or a detractor to the look of the figure.
The only negatives are the packaging, particularly for boxed collectors, and that visibility issue with the double-glazed interior. And the paintwork on the boots which ideally needed the same paint care and application as seen elsewhere on the figure.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, diamond, select, lord of the rings, the fellowship of the ring, gimli, gloin, dwarf. durin. dwarves