Review: NECA Ultimate Rhino Alien

 Ahh Alien, a film franchise I've been obsessed with since my early teens. I love the alien franchise so much that the only Funko Pops I own are of Xenomorphs.

When I first discovered NECA were releasing alien figures I aimed to get at least one of each Xenomorph mould and each of the movies key Xenomorph designs, I haven't really had any interest in collecting the human characters.

My collecting of NECA's Alien line started to draw off as most new releases were repaints off the aliens design and I moved on to their Godzilla line but the announcement of the updated Kenner toys really peaked my interest, unfortunately I wasn't able to find any and then when COVID hit, with lockdowns and working form home, I haven't had much opportunity to get to my local comic shop, but in a recent visit I managed to secure this, the Rhino Xenomorph.

The Box

The figure comes in a windowed box with a cover reminiscent of the original Kenner clamshell packaging. On the back of the box you find a feature that many modern and collector aimed toys, I feel, are missing these days and that is a catalogue of the other toys available in the line. I understand that in the "Digital Age" such a feature is redundant but it is something I really like with toylines as it lets me know what else is available and I can circle them and dream of having them someday.

Opening the window you get a nice view of the figure in it's clamshell as well as a really nice photoshoot of the toy, a style and quality of photo that I aim to someday be able to take myself.

The Toy Itself

Out of the box this toy is something to behold, when compared to the other Xenomorph toys in my collection this one draws attention. If this was real you wouldn't want to hang around and NECA have managed to convey this on such a toy. The level of detailing is exquisite and it convoys an aura of menace, and the paint application is very well done. I like how blue has been used as a highlight over a black body instead of the solid blue or black that is the case with the Aliens Xenomorph Warriors I have.  

Feature wise this toy has the obligatory inner mouth as with any Xenomorph toy though this one appears to be very long. another unique feature this toy has is the transparent layer of the dome on the head can be removed, reveling a detailed ridged head sculpt similar to that of the Aliens Xenomorph design. One irk I do have with this is the dome was on very securely when I first opened this but since I had removed it, it does not want to stay on anymore. I can get it to sit on but the lightest nudge and it will just pop off. after first opening this to play with I managed to lose the head dome, and it was found a few days later down the back of the sofa, the graveyard of all toy accessories.

Articulation wise the figure is able to bring its head back further than any of the other Xenomorph toys I have, in order to have it looking forward in an all fours pose which will be the most likely pose you would have this figure in as it isn't very stable on it's hind legs. the shoulders have full rotation as well as lift a full 180°. The elbows are on double joints allowing for full 90° bend and the wrist allows for full 306°rotation as well as forward and back lift. there is a joint at the base of the fingers to allow for some bending but the toy isn't able to grip due to the shape of the hands. the hands are also flattened on the bottom, very much designed with a four legged pose in mind. Hips can rotate to bring knees to the chest, knees are on double joints as with elbows and feet can only bend towards the front or back of the figure, there isn't any ankle pivot.

This toy has presence, it is huge. Standing it up on its hind legs it towers over the NECA Xenomorph Warrior, A truly menacing figure.

Final Verdict

I think this is a wonderful toy and a definite must have for any Alien fan, great playability and detailing and very posable. It is something that will stand out on the shelf and get the attention of anyone looking along a collection.

Overall all, I would have to say this toy, is a screamer.