NECA Predator 30th Anniversary Figures – Toyark Photo Shoot

The original Predator film is now 30 years old! It was released on June 12, in 1987. The movie became a near instant cult classic that seems to gain a much larger following each year. The original film, led by Arnold Schwarzenegger at Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer, featured an instantly iconic cast of characters. In Predator, a team of commandos are sent on a mission to a Central American jungle. While in the midst of their task, they encounter a seemingly invisible hunter who picks them off one at a time. As each member of the team is lost, it comes down to a blood soaked confrontation between Dutch and the Predator. While there have been multiple sequels and crossovers with the Alien franchise, the original Predator has stood out as the best of the series by far and remains required viewing for action and science fiction film fans.

To celebrate the anniversary, NECA has released a special wave of seven figures. The assortment is a mix of older figures, retooled classic figures and more. They were kind enough to send along the assortment for us to review, and we have over 160 hi-res photos! Read on to check those out and read our review.

NECA Predator 30th Anniversary 7″ Scale Figures

Pros

• Excellent overall assortment
• Great chance to get any of the Dutch figures that fans may have missed
• Jungle Demon Predator is one of NECA’s best ever repaints
• Prototype Mask Predator is a nice addition to the line
• Great packaging
• Predator figures feature updated articulation
• Jungle Disguise Dutch looks perfect

Cons

• Left arms tubes on the Predators tend to detach from the armor

Overall
This one time assortment of seven figures is really impressive looking when all of the packaged figures are together. The collector friendly window box packaging features a nice overall design that features a jungle motif inspired by the film. The back of the packaging includes a bio for the specific characters, and a checklist for the rest of the 30th anniversary figures. Each figure is packed on a plastic tray, with a few twist ties holding them in. Here’s a breakdown of what each figure includes:

Jungle Disguise Dutch: Comes with torch, spear, bow and arrows.
Jungle Encounter Dutch: Comes with M-16 with grenade launcher, pistol and knife.
Jungle Extraction Dutch: Comes with M-16 with grenade launcher, pistol, machete and knife.
Jungle Patrol Dutch: Comes with M-16 with grenade launcher, pistol and knife.
Jungle Demon: Comes with removable backpack.
Jungle Hunter Masked (Prototype): Comes with removable backpack, bloody skull and spine.
Jungle Hunter Unmasked: Comes with removable backpack, skull and spine.

As someone who missed out on the original Dutch figures (due to starting the Predator line later). it’s great to have a new chance to pick these up. Each of the Dutch figures represent a specific scene or sequence from the film, allowing fans to have the ultimate Dutch by being able to swap out hands or weapons as they see fit. Even though the sculpts are a bit older, they still hold up with the modern releases that NECA puts out. The head sculpts are pretty much spot on. Articulation is solid on these, with the single jointed knees and elbows not interfering with getting film-like poses. Joints on the Dutch figures were all solid, with no paint locking or any noticeable loose joints. The Dutch figures (other than Jungle Disguise) all feature the translucent plastic skin that offers a nice, life-like look to the figures. They are all covered in paint washes and finely painted details, such as camo. The Jungle Disguise (Muddy) Dutch turned out to be my personal favorite of the re-releases. The sculpted muddy look, with leaves and twigs showing through, is really impressive. The thick paint used here only enhances the look, and it has extra nice touches such as the bloody lip paint. If you’re not into picking up all of these, or missed out one one, then this is a great chance to grab the specific look you want.

The Predators included in this assortment run the range of specific scenes or history of the Jungle Hunter Predator. Not included is a standard masked Predator, as fans can pick up the Ultimate Jungle Hunter Predator for that look. We’ve already taken a detailed look at the Jungle Demon Predator, so check that out for more on that release. The unmasked Jungle Hunter includes a different, open mouth head sculpt than the Ultimate release. You can swap the head over to the Ultimate figure if you so desire. Otherwise it’s essentially the same figure, minus all the accessories of the Ultimate release. The Prototype Mask Predator (aka the Gort mask) adds a nice piece of Predator history to the assortment. The mask was the original design that was intended for the film, but was ultimately rejected and redesigned. The mask did get used later for the Guardian Predator. Both the unmasked Predator and the prototype mask Predator include a skull with spine and a shoulder cannon. Throughout the three Predators, paint was consistent, joints were solid and no major QC issues popped up. Those running into the paint odor on the Ultimate Jungle Hunter will be happy to know that I did not run into that issue here. My only real issue came when posing the left arms of the Predators. They included wires that connect the various armor pieces, and the high range of motion causes one or both wires to pop off on each of these figures.

NECA did a great job of making a cohesive wave that spans the film. Combine this assortment with the Ultimate Jungle Hunter, and you have the most complete looks available for Dutch and the Jungle Hunter. I highly suggest grabbing these for any versions fans may have missed out on. Check out some select photos below and over 160 photos after that.