Background
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is the 2013 action film based on the Hasbro toy license. The second live-action G.I. Joe film is a follow-up to the 2009 box office success – G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Even though reviews of the film were mixed to negative, Retaliation grossed big money at the box office.
So it makes sense that a successful film based on an iconic toy line would result in additional toys being released. That’s where Hot Toys steps in. They have the high-end sixth scale toy license for G.I. Joe: Retaliation and have released a total of four toys: Joe Colton, Roadblock, Snake Eyes, and Storm Shadow. For this review, we will be taking a look at the Sideshow Exclusive Joe Colton figure.
Joe Colton, aka the original G.I. Joe, is portrayed by Bruce Willis in Retaliation. Hot Toys released the figure as a part of their 2013 Toy Fairs Exclusives, with Sideshow Collectibles picking up the figure for the North American market.
The Facts
Joe Colton
Series: G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Manufacturer: Hot Toys
Sculpted by: Kim Yong Kyum
Painted by: JC. Hong
Authorized Likeness: Bruce Willis as Joe Colton
Material: Plastic articulated figure
Dimensions: Sixth Scale
Points of Articulation: Over 30 points of articulation
Outfit: Green military jacket and pants; Black t-shirt; Pair of black boots; Belt with magazine pouches; Double shoulder holster; Left knee pad; Drop leg panel with holster and magazine pouches
Accessories: Six interchangeable hands: Pair of gun shooting hands, Pair of relaxed hands, Right hand for holding gun, Left fist; Machine gun with silencer and strap; Shotgun; Three pistols; Five small ammo clips; One big ammo clip; Two climbing buckles; Figure stand with Joe Colton nameplate and movie logo
Edition Size: Limited Edition (Hot Toys' 2013 Toy Fair Exclusive)
Pricing: $214.99
Packaging
The packaging for the Joe Colton figure features an outer sleeve with the image of Bruce Willis as Colton from the film. This one has the Sideshow Exclusive Edition sticker on the front to let you know of its exclusivity.
Inside, the box has a plastic window-front that gives you a perfect view of the figure and accessories. On the back of that interior box, there’s another – this time black-and-white - image of Willis as Colton.
Our Opinion
I’ve watched both of the live-action G.I. Joe films and haven’t been disappointed with either. Of course, I wasn’t going in to G.I. Joe: Retaliation with expectations that the film would rival The Godfather. I just wanted to see an action film with a bunch of stuff blowing up by guys who are supposed to look like the little toys I played with back in my youth.
Yes. I was a huge 3¾” G.I. Joe figure collector as a youngster. That led to me collecting a number of the Sideshow produced sixth-scale figures based on a lot of those original 3¾” characters. Hot Toys, however, has the license to produce figures based on the films.
Joe Colton, the original Joe, is portrayed by Bruce Willis as a gun-crazy, semi-retired member of the G.I. Joe fighting force. Hot Toys is renowned for their realistic head production (both sculpting and painting), and this is the first time we’ve seen them take on the iconic portrait of Bruce Willis. So, nothing should be holding them back from a John McClane figure now.
I’m a fan of the face sculpt, which features a slightly squinting and somewhat smirking version of a clean-shaven Bruce Willis. He has wrinkles and crow’s feet…just as a 58-year-old actor should. As is common, Hot Toys stellar paint application helps to compliment the excellent sculpting.
The figure comes a little less loaded accessory-wise than his on-screen counterpart…although, that’s not for Hot Toys not trying. They’ve included five guns, including the special ivory handled (not actual ivory) Colt that belonged to General Patton. Colton also has holsters, belts, and straps to secure all of those guns and magazines.
For $214.99, it’s in the ballpark of other sixth-scale Hot Toys products. The fact that it’s a limited edition exclusive probably adds a few dollars on to the price, but the Joe Colton figure falls in about $5.00 cheaper than Hot Toys’ Roadblock. If you’re a huge fan of G.I. Joe: Retaliation or have been waiting to get your hands on a sixth-scale version of Bruce Willis…it’s going to be tough to beat this one.
You can pick one up at the following:
Sideshow Collectibles: $214.99
