Background
Arguably the most famous Marine alive today, R. Lee Ermey is well-known for his roles in Toy Story, Full Metal Jacket, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and is currently the host of the History Channel's most popular show, Mail Call. Before he turned to acting, Ermey instilled fear and respect into recruits, bringing out the best in our troops.
Sideshow Toys has created several 12” figures based on the actor, most having a sound chip that includes colorful dialogue. The figure we are reviewing is Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey in his Dress Blues.
Packaging
The window front box is slightly different from most Sideshow lines, which have gone to the front flap covering the window front. There is plenty of military-inspired reading on the packaging. Ermey is secured to the plastic tray by what might be the longest piece of packaging wire ever produced.
The Figure
The 12” tall figure has over 30 points of articulation. Ermey is
decked out in his Dress Blues uniform, complete with rank and medals. His
accessories include an NCO sword and scabbard that attaches to a white
belt, as well as his white hat. The red display stand has a print of
the United States Marine Corps logo on it.
The talking figure has 10 lines of script, with 4 additional lines
included with the Sideshow Exclusive figure. All of the script is
patriotic in nature, and is not lifted from any of Ermey’s films.
Proud to be an American, proud to be a Marine kind of stuff.
Our Opinion
R. Lee Ermey is probably most well known for being the Gunnery Sergeant
in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. A number of his lines were
improvised, since he was a actual Marine Corps Drill Sergeant.
This is the fourth R. Lee Ermey figure that Sideshow has created. The
Dress Blues figure appears to be targeted towards members of the
military, since every line in the script deals with America or the
Marine Corps. The other figures seem to revolve around his drill
instructor background, where he barks out commands and insults at you.
The sculpt is of Ermey at his current age, a little older than when he
was in Full Metal Jacket. When Sideshow has a figure with a speech
chip, they use a different body. This body has a neck that turns from
side-to-side, rather than the full range of motion that some of the
other 1/6 scale figures have.
This would make a great gift for current or past members of the Marine
Corps. Since it’s not licensed from a film or television show, it
might be difficult to find a large audience for this particular figure.
You can pick one up at the following:
Sideshow Toys: Sideshow Exclusive - $44.99
Dress Blues R. Lee Ermey Grades:
Quality: 9/10
Paint: 8/10
Durability: 9/10
Hype: 7/10
Fun Factor: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Overall: 8.7/10
