Rene Belloq in the Ark Ceremony outfit was released as part of the launch wave of Hasbro’s Indiana Jones Adventure Series in Spring 2023. This first wave was dedicated to the Raiders of the Lost Ark movie and also included a ‘Build-an-Artifact’ feature with parts of the Lost Ark spread across the five releases. The wave uses Hasbro’s new plastic-free packaging with an illustration of the figure on the box front and around the side and reverse, detailing the contents and how the Ark is spread around the other figures in the wave. Inside the figure and accessories are wrapped in a printed waxy paper bag and then secured in a cardboard tray that also contains assembly instructions for the Ark.
Belloq is perhaps the most intricate figure of Wave 1 by the nature of the robes he wears for the opening ceremony for the Ark of the Covenant and these include multiple layers of robes & clothing over a beige suit. The chest piece is sculpted, while the legs are a generic beige pair of suit trousers and over this, we have a two-piece plastic shirt as well as a sash belt. These robes are textured with a red and white check design and sculpted fleur de lys emblems. Under these extravagant outer robes are two further layers of beige and brown, both cast in the base colour with no other decor. A three-tone striped sash acts as a belt and there is a golden tablet with inset coloured jewels around Belloq’s neck. While this looks like it could be removable, it is in fact attached at the shoulders.
The head sculpt is once again a good likeness to actor Paul Freeman without being spectacular. The face print technology does a good job enhancing the base sculpt and Belloq’s piercing blue eyes stand out in particular. The top of the head is wrapped in ornate headgear complete with painted brown straps and a gold rim.
The figure's sole accessory is the Ram’s head staff used by Belloq in the ceremony as they opened the Ark of the Covenant. This is quite intricate in its casting with a ridged handle, gold trimmed base, and large ornate headpiece with four Ram’s heads around the top. It is painted, but the decor does flatten the detail with a very bright gold that is begging for a wash or some contrast to bring out the detail of the sculpt.
Articulation is 17 points in total with basic single joints through, but on a fully pinless body with some consideration given to the look of the joints in line with the figure. Thanks to Belloq’s robes, much of the lower articulation is moot but the arms are very expressive and can be posed with or without the staff. The left hand arrives in an open palm, fingers outstretched position to recreate some of the gestures from the movie, and while I respect this decision without an alternative hand to swap in, it does perhaps restrict other options.
Belloq represents the most complex figure so far in the Adventure Series considering the layers of robes and the patterning of the clothing, headgear, and the included staff. It is all executed soundly enough, but like a few of the wave 1 figures it still feels like it is missing some character and top-level execution that we know Hasbro can deliver. Belloq is a key figure if you want to recreate the Ark scene from the movie’s finale and I do look forward to having that small diorama on display once I have built my Ark and Toht has also arrived.
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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...