Alpha Predator Ultimate Figure by NECA – Exclusive First Look Photo Shoot

The Predator line from NECA is set to hit a special milestone, the release of their 100th Predator themed action figure! For this release, NECA wanted to offer fans not only a completely new figure, but one that hearkens back to the original film in a unique way. As many fans may know, the Jungle Hunter Predator that was seen in the film was not the original design. Initially, the Predator was thought of as a large insectoid creature, with none other than Jean-Claude Van Damme inside the suit. However, while filming director John McTiernan realized the design wasn’t working. It was too clunky, and was not as mobile as was needed to film the action scenes. Ultimately, Stan Winston was tapped to design the new creature, giving us the iconic Yautja design scene in the film.

To pay homage to this lost legacy, NECA has brought this original design into their story canon as the Amengi, a race of creatures that enslaved the much smaller, and weaker ancestors to the Yautja. After generations of evolution, and being bred to fight in gladiatorial style games, the Yautja were born. The largest, and strongest of the fighters had led an uprising, killing off the Amengi, and freeing his race from their enslavement. This new leader was known as the first hunter, and became the alpha Predator, wearing the near impenetrable skin of the Amengi (aka the unused Predator design), as his armor and mask.

Our friends at NECA Toys have sent over the Alpha Predator for an exclusive advanced look. After the jump, you can find my photo gallery and thoughts on the figure.

Pre-Order Links: Entertainment Earth • Megalopolis • HobbyLink Japan • Dorkside Toys (Currently Sold Out) • Big Bad Toy Store (Currently Sold Out)

Alpha Predator Ultimate 7″ Scale Figure by NECA

Pros

• Great nod to Predator history
• Excellent figure sculpt
• Good assortment of weapons
• Removable mask works well
• Plenty of articulation
• Nice paint work
• Poster, visual guide, and history of the Alpha Predator included

Cons

• None

Overall
The Alpha Predator is packed in a flapped window box. The front features artwork by Jason Edmiston. The back of the box has a brief story for the figure, and photos showcasing the features and accessories. The figure includes a removable mask, three sets of interchangeable hands, a spear, a shuriken, a blade hook, and two bone blades. A folded poster featuring the box art is included. The back of the poster features a new visual guide, showing all 100 Predator figures. Also included is parchment like paper, featuring a full story detailing the origins of the Alpha Predator.

The figure stands at 8″ tall, and has about 30 points of articulation. The Alpha Predator features mostly pearl colored skin, with dark armor, bones, and sculpted cloth wrappings to simulate ancient armor. The Alpha Predator basically wear the unused Predator design like a suit of armor, and you can see bits and pieces of that design throughout. The clearest example is the mask, which features the head sculpt of the unused design. The mask itself fits onto the Alpha Predator’s face, using the mandibles and sides of the head sculpt to snap into place. The chest armor is a flexible plastic, and has a rib cage style design over the Alpha Predator’s torso. The back of this armor houses multiple bone spikes that stick up, two of which are removable. The primitive bladed gauntlets are pieces of the Amengi skull. The left arms uses the top of the skull, while the right arm uses the lower jaw, with a spot to attach one of the bladed bones as a wrist blade. The skull on the left wrist can be removed when you swap out hands. The lower jaw on the right arm is attached to two ball joints on a hidden, retractable wrist gauntlet, complete with a hidden wrist blade. You can separate the lower jaw piece and combine it with the skull to for a full Amengi skull trophy, though the pieces don’t snap together. The mask can even sit on top of the skull. The hips, shoulders, and legs all feature their own pieces of the creature as armor, though none of those are removable. Around the waist is a soft plastic belt, with a space to attache the curved sickle blade.

Underneath all of the armor is the Alpha Predator himself. With the figure being more primitive than current era Yautja, it lacks most of the technological pieces that you may be used to seeing. So no shoulder cannon, now smart disc, no hidden blades, no netting. The figure also lacks the complex skin patterns of its modern brethren, featuring pearl colored skin, with little flecks of orange here and there. The head sculpt mirrors these features, with the same light coloring, even on the dreadlocks. The figure includes a curved sickle bone blade, a spear made of Amengi bones, a bone shuriken, and three sets of hands. Two of the hands are for holding the weapons, two feature open palms, and two are completely closed fists. The hands swap out with no issues. The grip hands hold the weapons well enough.

I didn’t run into any issues with the range of motion or any of the joints. The figure is packed with articulation, with double jointed knees and elbows, and a ball jointed torso. The only spot where the design hinders movement a bit is the shoulders. It’s no where near as restrictive as most Predator figures (since there are no wires connecting armor to the shoulder or a shoulder cannon). Paint apps are very clean and crisp. The pearlescent skin has a natural looking sheen to it, with a few slight ashes to bring out the details. All in all, there were any quality control issues on this sample.

The Alpha Predator is a figure a lot of fans have been waiting for. It’s a nice culmination of Predator history, while still feeling fresh and new. The look will certainly stand out on a shelf with other Predator’s, and there’s a nice variety of display options. Combine that with the extras like the included poster and story, and you have a great commemorative release.