Historically, larger Marvel Legends releases would always be released as a build-a-figure within a wider wave. But that process is changing significantly in more recent years with Hasbro moving to a Deluxe release format and including more ‘standard’ size BAF figures. The new Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a prime example of this and 2-3 years ago would have been broken down as a BAF and would have bumped Cosmo out of the wave altogether. Instead, he finds himself as a single Deluxe release, packed in a wider format Marvel Legends box but in keeping with the colour scheme and graphics of the wider wave for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that he complements.
Groot stands over 7 inches tall out of the box and is an entirely new sculpt to recreate his new look as seen firstly in the Guardians Christmas Special, and most recently in GOTG3. Like the previous Groot figures, the sculpt does a great job of replicating the gnarly wood body of Groot with intertwining pieces, but also separate body parts creating definition such as on his chest and around his neck. The figure is cast in the single brown wood finish and over this, we have some subtle applications of colour. The most defined of these are the green mossy elements across the body. There are then a handful of darker panels where the bark has ‘come away’ and these are most evident on the chest and thighs. Like all the previous Groot figures, there is no wider wash to add definition and that I think is a miss.
The head sculpt is great and accurate to this more grown-up but still youthful Groot. He is sculpted with that serene smile on his face and the eyes are well defined and have an intensity to them most likely achieved via photo-print application. Like the body, we also get some green highlights and a touch of depth around the eyes, chin, and mouth with a darker brown finish.
Groot has 18 points of standard articulation, all pinless, as well as a couple of flexible shoulder pieces to allow the arms to move up without compromising the overall look of the figure. Despite his bulk, the joints all work well and Groot is stable in a number of poses - neutral or dynamic.
The choice of accessories saw Hasbro include the wings we see Groot deploy at one point in the movie. These are a two-piece design to ensure they fit in the box. They first clip together, and then into the socket on Groot’s back. Like the body, they are sculpted in brown plastic with a wood effect finish but to a much lower standard of detail and they look more akin to the basic range of figures we see from Hasbro rather than a Marvel Legend standard this is most obvious when you compare the vine detail on the wings vs the body, and the paint apps on the wings which is even more basic. The wings remain light enough to have the figure support them fully. They measure just over 10 inches in width and have no articulation.
Groot also has an alternative pair of hands, some clenched fists, and also comes with a non-articulated Racoon as seen towards the end of the movie. This Racoon accessory is a single sculpted piece in brown plastic with rudimentary white and black painted detailing around the eyes, mouth, ears and tail. It is designed in a seated position so can be displayed next to Groot - or it will sit in his open hand, just not fully flush.
The Groot figure almost rounds out the Guardians Vol. 3 roster in a single batch of releases, with only Gamora missing from our team - and a High Evolutionary figure to face off against. Groot is a sensible Deluxe release keeping him available to those who don't want to be forced into buying a full wave in order to assemble him (that is Cosmo’s role this time round). The figure looks better than I expected but is missing a wash of darker brown - the same criticism aimed at all the MCU Groot figures to date. Personally, I would have also preferred Groot to come with the gun-toting vines and blasters from the scene with Star-Lord, but I guess the wings have as much significance and Hasbro could have simply given us Groot and nothing else.
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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...