Well, here it is, the long awaited first part in our series of Jurassic Park figure countdowns! It took time, patience, and plenty of late nights, but we're finally ready to being our Jurassic Park countdown, and what better time of year to release it than during Jurassic June!
So, as the title says, the first part of our countdown will deal with the Top 10 best human figures from throughout the Jurassic Park line. These figures are known for being based off artist renditions, sporting minimal articulation (Hey, what do you expect? It was the 90's after all), and coming complete with a dinosaur hatchling. While most have made an appearance in one film or another, as was the custom, Kenner and Hasbro branched out and created new characters specifically for the sole purpose of flushing out their lines once they hit retail.
We must admit, this wasn't as easy a task as we had originally thought. Being fans of the line since its kickoff in 1993, it was really hard to separate the 10 best human figures, especially due to the fact that, with a few minor exceptions, we can really find no flaws within this beloved series.
But, perhaps that is somewhat bias, being that we're such huge fans and all!
Anyways, let's take a look shall we? Did your favorite human figure make the list?
#10 - Military Diver (Jurassic Park III - Series 2) - Okay, let's get this over with. We're certain we'll be getting some hate mail due to the fact that a Jurassic Park III figure made our Top 10 list. In all honesty though, we can't say we blame the fans. While we found the film fun and fast-paced, Hasbro really dropped the ball when it came to designing the toy line. The human figures were scaled down in size, meaning they didn't really fit in with previous releases by Kenner, the dinosaurs had loose joints, and were prone to toppling over, and certain features, like the Dino Damage wounds, just got tiring. Still, that doesn't mean it was all bad - take the Military Diver for instance.
While he technically doesn't appear in the film, this is still a descent piece. He comes complete with a harpoon gun that works using Hasbro's rather lazy launching system and a Spinosaurus hatchling. Paint work is good and the figure features a nice amount of detail. While he stands in a natural pose, he is not prone to toppling and there are no issues with loose or sticky joints with this one. The harpoon gun fits in his hand well and, compared to other launching weapons of the Jurassic Park III line, actually works okay. While we would've preferred to see figures based off Udesky, Nash or Cooper instead, we feel this is one of the stronger human figures from the line.
Released in 2002, the Military Diver fits in nicely with other 3.75" Jurassic Park figures that have become the norm over the last 14-years, and allows for some variety should you be in the mood to create a team of dinosaur hunting soldiers. Still, we still wish this one had been made in the older Kenner scale. It is a good figure, one that truly deserves the classic Kenner treatment.
He has seen a few re-releases since 2002 in the Jurassic Park Dinosaurs and JP2K9 lines, but, in our humble opinion, the original is the best, featuring a more realistic diving deco.
Why We Love it: Great detail. Neutral stance makes posing easy. Unique choice for the line.
#9 - Dennis Nedry (Jurassic Park - Series 1) - If there was ever a Jurassic Park figure to stray the furthest from his on-screen counterpart, it was the first release of Dennis Nedry from 1993. He features more of a water retaining secret agent appearance than a sneaky, double-crossing fat slob such as Wayne Knight portrayed the character in the film. His overall look is dull and boring, but there are two specific areas where we find this figure really shines!
First off, there is that weapon. Marketed as a Tranq Spray Gun, Nedry's accessory is capable of being filled with, and shooting water. It has a very Ghostbuster-y feel to it, but was the type of gimmicky weapon toy makers loved during the 90's. Since this figure was part of the first series of Jurassic Park toys to see a release, we can't really say the weapon was unique - initially. As time went on, however, and more Jurassic Park figures saw a release at retail, this Tranq Spray Gun would be one accessory to not be reused all that often. Sure, the Series 2 Dennis Nedry from 1994 had it, as did the Nick Van Owen from The Lost World Series 1 line from 1997. Other than that, however, while we`ve seen repainted bolas launchers and backpack dinosaur traps, the Tranq Spray Gun only saw the lights of retail a few glorious times, making it unique amongst Jurassic Park accessories.
Another, unique area where Nedry shines is through his Dino Damage arms. This was an action figure that only this figure, and his Series 2 repaint retained. It gave Nedry some great playability and something that made him truly different. No other Jurassic Park human figure has been given a Dino Damage feature, thus Nedry takes the #9 spot on our list, not only for straying the furthest away from his on-screen character, but for retaining some rather unique features we haven`t really seen all that much in the lines 21-year history.
Why We Love it: Dino-Damage Arms. Unique Tranq Spray Gun weapon.
#8 - Jaws Jackson (Jurassic Park - Series 2) - When Kenner surprised everyone by releasing a new line of Jurassic Park figures in 1994, they brought with it a few new characters that had never actually appeared in the film. One such character was Dino-Tracker Jaws Jackson, who came complete with a Hair-Trigger Capture Trap, flashlight and a repaint of Dennis Nedry`s Dilophosaurus hatchling from Series 1.
Jackson sports a look that calls to mind the workers from the opening scene in Jurassic Park, complete with a hat sporting a similar Jurassic Park logo. Thus, and honestly, who of us didn`t do this, Jackson could also serve as a stand-in for a regular Jurassic Park worker. His accessory is where he really shines, however. Yes, it has been reused a few times since his 1994 release, but that is due to the fact that it is a perfect fit for a line based around the concept of battling giant, prehistoric beasts. While we wouldn`t say it`s Hair-Tigger in the gimmicks sensitivity, it does work well once a little pressure is applied. Plus, not only can the figure hold the trap and stand at the ready to capture a rampaging dinosaur, it can also be mounted onto a small harness, that is included, and carried on his back.
This figure is known for having a few issues, most notably, in our experience, has been that the right leg has the tendency to stick, and break off if too much pressure is applied. Honestly, we broke two of them while writing this review. The bronze paint applied to the figure`s shoulder pieces and knee pads also tends to flake and rub off after extensive play, as does the paint applied to the boots. Still, you shouldn`t really have these issues if you`re simply buying one to display, and occasionally handle, for your collection.
Jackson has been repainted a few times over the years, including figures released in The Lost World and first Jurassic Park Dinosaurs line exclusive to Wal-Mart and Islands of Adventure, but, as with the Series 1 Nedry mentioned above, the initial release of the figure was the best!
Why We Love it: Doubles as a JP-Worker. Awesome Accessory. Unique Character.
#7 - Roland Tembo (Jurassic Park: Chaos Effect) - 1998 would see the release of one of the oddest, and coolest, Jurassic Park lines to ever come from Kenner - Chaos Effect. Built around the concept of splicing different dinosaur DNA together and seeing what comes out (sounds a little like some of the Jurassic World plot points we`ve heard of late), the line featured redesigned humans, vehicles and dinosaurs that were some of the craziest pieces to ever wear the name Jurassic Park!
Take Roland here, for instance! Looking more like a Terminator than a big game dinosaur hunter, Roland features several futuristic components, such as the radio sculpted around his head, some rather bulky armor and a very impressive gattling launcher! Still, while he may look different from the other human figures released throughout the Jurassic Park series, he still has the same feel overall, with the same high quality sculpt work and basic articulation that has defined this line over the last 21-years.
This unique figure also comes complete with a unique hatchling - the Ultimasaurus. A larger version of this bizarre mutation was slated to get a few releases by Kenner, one on its own in the initial Chaos Effect line, the other, in a two-pack with Roland, in the cancelled Night Hunters series that was supposed to hit retail in 1999. The hatchling included with this figure is the only version of the animal collectors were ever able to get at retail, and so, for being one of the most unique pieces to debut in a Jurassic Park line, the Chaos Effect Roland Tembo figure takes the #7 spot on our list!
Why We Love it: Unique Design. Ultimasaurus Hatchling. Gattling Gun Accessory.
#6 - Harpoon Harrison (Jurassic Park - Series II) - Taking the #6 spot on our list is the Dino Tracker weapon specialist, Harpoon Harrison! He has been repainted and re-released time and again, but the initial release from 1994 is the best! Like Jaws Jackson, Harrison can not only be used as a member of your Dino Tracker squad, but, thanks to his design, can also double as a generic Jurassic Park employee if the mood should strike you.
Harrison comes complete with a firing Double Spear, an accessory that would later find its way into the Eddie Carr figure from The Lost World line from 1997. The weapon fires with ease, has a nice range of motion and can be handled in both hands. While lesser figures tend to topple while handling some of these larger Kenner-era weapons, we found Harrison to have a very solid stance, staying firmly planted despite a good amount of jostling. Plus, he just looks amazing amongst any Jurassic Park collection.
The hatchling included is a repaint of the Tim Murphy Brachiosaurus, but, while the initial release was a rather dull gray, Harrison's hatchling sports two separate shades of green, giving it some nicer detail than that seen on the previous release.
If you haven't guessed by now, we love the unique characters created for the Jurassic Park line, and Harrison, like the other Dino Trackers, certainly fits that description. He would be repainted and repackaged in several lines, including The Lost World, and Jurassic Park III, but, to us, nothing beats the original, which proved just how deep Kenner was willing to go to keep fans of the line coming back, even 21 years down the line!
Why We Love it: Solid Stance. Doubles as a JP-Worker. Fun Weapon. Handles Accessories Well.
#5 - Nick Van Owen (The Lost World - Series II) - By the time Kenner released their Lost World line in 1997, the human figures appeared closer to their on-screen counterparts than they did with the first wave. And, in our opinion, never was this better proven then with the third Nick Van Owen figure released in the elusive Series II from 1998.
Yes, this figure appears to be a dead-ringer for Vince Vaughn as he appeared in the film, albeit, with a slight change in the color of his wardrobe. Keeping with the fact his a documentary filmmaker, the figure comes complete with a larger video camera accessory, which can rest comfortably on his shoulder. He also comes complete with a Capture Pack, which doesn't do all that much, but is a unique accessory that would never see a re-release after this figure hit stores.
While there is nothing wrong with the Series I Nick Van Owen, we feel this one better represents his onscreen counterpart in a way not too many Jurassic Park figures can. Everything about him is styled to look as though he just stepped out of the film and onto your toy shelf. Even the hatchling he comes with would only ever be released with this figure. It would never be repainted and sold alongside another figure in the future.
Additionally, if there were ever a more coveted Jurassic Park human figure, we have yet to find it. The second series of Lost World figures was released in a very small number in comparison to the first, thus, collectors search high and low for them - and are apparently willing to pay crazy amounts of money for a figure that was $6.99 when it was released back in 1998. Nick is quite the coveted piece amongst collectors, and he goes for some pretty nutty prices on the secondary market.
Nick takes the #5 spot for his overall likeness to Vince Vaughn, unique accessories and for just how badly Jurassic Park collectors want to add this one to their collections!
NOTE: We had a small camera malfunction and borrowed this picture from JP Toys.
Why We Love it: Spot-on Character Likeness. Unique Accessories. Highly Coveted Amongst Fans.
#4 - Robert Muldoon (Jurassic Park - Series II) - Kenner went back to the drawing board with the second wave of Jurassic Park figures released in 1994, redesigning the five initial human figures from Series I. Sporting repainted bodies, these figures would come with the same accessories as their Series I counterparts, but come with different dinosaur hatchlings and head sculpts that better resembled their onscreen counterparts.
The Series II version of Robert Muldoon clearly follows this formula. His head sculpt much better resembles actor Bob Peck than the Series I version, which is clearly more closely based off the character as described in Michael Crichton's novel. His outfit is slightly more accurate as well.
Muldoon comes with the same Tranq Bazooka that the Series I version had, and the weapon works very well, thanks to the spring-loaded firing system from Kenner that we miss oh so very much these days. Both rockets fit snugly into the included backpack, which can be attatched and removed from the figure's back with relative ease in comparison to some other Jurassic Park figures from throughout the years.
The detail is still top-notch, featuring his JP-ID badge, some sculpted weapons and the knife sheath seen on the first release from 1993. The weapon can be held well and, like Harpoon Harrison mentioned above, Muldoon's rather neutral pose makes standing him easy.
Even the hatchling included this time around better fits the Muldoon character seen in the movie. While Series I came complete with a tiny T-rex, Series II comes with a Raptor, a nice touch given Muldoon's overall obsession with the animals in the original film.
Yes, while the initial release is good and all, in fact, one of the best, we just find this version better resembles the character we know from the film and that, to us, makes this version that much better!
Why We Love it: Everything About it is a more screen accurate representation of Bob Peck.
#3 - Sgt. T-rex Turner (Jurassic Park - Series II) - If Crocodile Dundee were a Jurassic Park character, it would be T-rex Turner. Equipped with an awesome compound bow and a pair of arrows, Turner relies on the primitive weapons of old when tracking InGen's Theme Park Monsters.
Turner, like many of the figures on this list, stands with ease, due to his neutral pose. He also handles his included accessories with ease. Although, we find the backpack somewhat difficult to attach and remove from the figure's back due to the way the arms are sculpted. Don't get us wrong, it all works well and good, it just takes a little more time.
Turner comes with a repainted version of the Triceratops hatchling included with the Series I Ellie Sattler, but, similar to what was done with Harpoon Harrison and the reused Brachiosaurus hatchling, this one features slightly more detail than the initial release, making it the better of the pair in our opinion.
T-rex Turner is just an all-around awesome figure! Everything about him screams Dino Tracker Leader! From his compound bow to Outback-style appearance, this is one tough Hombre the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park may want to think twice about messing with!
NOTE: We had a small camera malfunction and borrowed this picture from JP Toys.
Why We Love it: Overall Awesome Look. Unique Weapons.
#2 - Alan Grant (Jurassic Park - Series I) - Every kid had one of these guys in 1993. And why not, he was the hero of one of the greatest movies of all time - at least to dinosaur fans and movie buffs. While most of the Jurassic Park figures are based off Trackers, Hunters, Game Wardens, there are a few that stand out as being based off scientists, and Grant is the best example.
The figure sports his trademark fedora and an overall appearance close to that seen in the film. While the Series II pieces claim to more closely resemble their onscreen counterparts, we feel the Series I version, at least in this case, is the clear winner of the 3 Alan Grant figures that saw retail between 1993 and 1994.
Grant comes complete with an Aerial Net Trap, which attaches to the figure's back. The net is somewhat small, but is the perfect size for catching any of the smaller hatchling dinosaurs, such as the Pteranodon included with Grant. He also comes complete with a nuclear smart bomb, but most of us remember using it as the embryo canister from the film.
What can be said about Grant that Jurassic Park fans and collectors don't already know? He was the hottest seller amongst the human figures in 1993, we've all had at least one and, at least for a line like Jurassic Park, Kenner proved that the bookworms and scientists could be cool to!
Why We Love it: Cool figure based around a scientist. Unique Accessories. Everyone had One.
#1 - Ian Malcolm (Jurassic Park - Series II) - And here we have the #1 entry on our list - Ian Malcolm! A figure fans had been demanding when Series I hit in 1993, Malcolm would finally get the Kenner treatment in Series II!
John Hammond's nemesis comes complete with a firing Tranq Dart, a serum backpack, that can be attached and removed from the figure's back with ease, and a Gallimimus hatchling. Like the Series I Dennis Nedry, his detail is somewhat lacking, but because this is due to the fact that Kenner kept him in an all-black outfit just like the film, we're letting it slide. He does, however, feature a silver JP-ID badge, something unique to this figure, and this figure alone.
Like Grant, the Malcolm figure showed kids scientists could be the heroes too, and while Malcolm was laid up for pretty much the entire run-time of the film following his run in with the Tyrannosaurus, the gimmick worked and Malcolm became one of the most sought after pieces from the first Jurassic Park film.
That is the reason Malcolm finds himself at the top of our list - the fact that an action figure based off a negative scientist who did nothing but launch sarcastic remarks and point out all that was wrong with Jurassic Park, spent most of the movie laid up, and was kind of a womanizing slime-ball, was one of the hottest, most prized, most sought after figures to ware the mark of Jurassic Park.
Just one of the many reasons why we love you, Dr. Malcolm!
Why We Love it: Screen Accurate. Hot Selling Toy Based off a Negative, Womanizing Scientist.
And there you have it, Infinite Earths fans, our look at the Top 10 Jurassic Park human figures has officially come to an end. We hope that our countdown kept everyone satisfied in one way or another, and that it featured a nice mixture of pieces from across both the Kenner and Hasbro Jurassic Park brands! Sure, it may not be 100% your ideal list, but the fact is that all the figures listed here are all solid entries that have some very positive aspects about them. Or, so we believe...
Up next, our Jurassic June Jurassic Park countdowns continue with a look at the Top 10 Jurassic Park Dinosaur figures! Stay Tuned, JP Fans!
Until next time, Infinite Earths fans!
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Article Published:
2014-06-13 06:53:14