"If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones." With those words, I was introduced to one of the best (in my opinion) action heroes of the 1980's. Raiders of the Lost Ark debuted on the silver screen in 1981 and the bullwhip wielding, leather jacket and fedora clad archaeologist quickly became a household name! Though this figure was released last year, seeing reviews for the new Mezco Indy, brought up a discussion about that, the Hasbro figures, and this SHFiguarts version. I decided that it was time to add the SHF to my collection and here we are.
Indiana Jones, portrayed by Harrison Ford, is introduced in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) as an archaeologist and adventurer, driven by his passion for uncovering ancient relics. Set in the 1930s, Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can use it for their own nefarious purposes. His character is defined by his quick wit, fearlessness, and resourcefulness, facing countless perils from booby traps, rival archaeologists like Belloq, and enemy agents. Armed with his trademark bullwhip and fedora, Indy blends a love for history with a knack for survival in this high-stakes treasure hunt.
Accessories: 9/10
This figure is equipped with a comprehensive set of accessories that enhance its versatility:
Alternate Head Sculpt: Three facial expressions are included: smiling, neutral, and teeth gritted. Additionally, his hair and fedora are interchangeable with all three face sculpts, allowing for greater customization.
Interchangeable Hands: Multiple hand parts facilitate dynamic posing and interaction with accessories.
Signature Whip: Indiana's iconic bullwhip is included, along with a coiled whip accessory that attaches via a belt snap plugging into his hip. There is also an empty belt snap for when he is holding the whip.
Pistol: His trusty sidearm is provided, though it does not actually fit into the holster. Instead, the holster plugs into a port on his waist.
Golden Idol: The Chachapoyan fertility idol from the film's opening scene is meticulously replicated.
Staff of Ra Headpiece: A detailed accessory that adds to the figure's authenticity.
Bag of Sand: A small accessory included to recreate the iconic idol-swapping scene.
Satchel: Indiana's signature satchel is faithfully included, completing his classic adventurer look.
Extra Arms: Two additional arms with shirt sleeves are included, allowing the figure to be displayed without his iconic leather jacket.
These accessories are crafted with precision, offering a range of display possibilities.
Appearance: 9/10
Standing approximately 6 inches tall, the figure captures Indiana Jones's rugged appearance:
Sculpt Detail: The facial likeness is remarkable, with fine attention to Harrison Ford's distinctive features, including the iconic scar on his chin. Each of the facial sculpts is faithful and accurate to Indy's expressions in the film and the paint applications are remarkably well done.
Costume Accuracy: The attire, including the fedora, leather jacket, and satchel, is faithfully reproduced. The shirt details are sculpted cleanly, right down to the shoulder epaulettes on the sleeved arms. Even such small details as the straps on the back of his jacket are reproduced, granted there is no paint on the small buckles, but that's hardly a point of contention.
Paint Application: Generally clean, although there is a possibility of paint rub when putting the sandbag, idol, or Staff of Ra headpiece in Indy's hands.
Overall, the figure presents an impressively accurate representation of the character.
Articulation: 9/10
The figure boasts extensive articulation, allowing for dynamic poses:
Head and Neck: Ball-jointed articulation allows for expressive tilts and rotations, enhancing the figure's lifelike presence.
Shoulders: A combination of ball joints and hinge mechanisms provides a broad range of motion, facilitating various arm positions.
Elbows: Single - jointed elbows enable relatively deep bends, allowing for realistic action stances and equipment handling.
Wrists: Swivel and hinge joints at the wrists permit flexible hand positioning, essential for gripping accessories like the whip or idol.
Torso and Waist: Articulated with ball joints, the upper torso and waist offer forward, backward, and lateral movement, supporting dynamic poses.
Hips: Ball-jointed hips allow for extensive leg movement, accommodating wide stances and action-oriented displays.
Knees: Single-jointed knees provide for better than 90-degree bends, crucial for crouching or running poses.
Ankles: Hinged and pivoting ankle joints ensure stable foot placement across diverse poses, enhancing balance and realism. Toe articulation is sturdy without looking awkward.
This flexibility supports the recreation of iconic action scenes.
Affordability: 7/10
Priced in the higher range for 1/12 scale figures, it reflects the quality and accessory assortment. I found this on Amazon for the relatively reasonable price of $79.99. Given the fact that SHFiguarts tends to put a lot of effort and care into their figures, the value is certainly worth the cost.
Overall, the S.H.Figuarts Indiana Jones figure excels in accessory variety, articulation, and faithful appearance. Its higher price point is balanced by the quality and comprehensive accessory set, making it a valuable piece for enthusiasts of the franchise. With all this in mind, I'm happy to give the SHFiguarts Indiana Jones a solid:
9 out of 10 ToyBoxes
As always, I am very grateful for your continued support for Dan's ToyBox and I'm looking forward to bringing more comprehensive reviews in 2025. In the meantime, watch our pages as we'll be dropping a review on the Mafex Eradicator Action Figure and our annual Top 15 Action Figures of 2024 list! Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!