The NECA 40th Anniversary Series of figures were released in 2020 and made up of three waves of three figures from Alien (1979). Series 2 was a Summer 2020 release and brought us the first figures of Brett and Parker ever to be released in the line, along with the Alien itself with a new bloody decor paint job.
Packaging 4.0
The Alien line from NECA has predominantly been packed in clamshell packaging to date, with a few recent Ultimate items then boxed. The 40th Anniversary line changes direction from both of these with a window box based on the original Kenner packaging from their 1979 Alien release. This uses a blue background with a black trim and the same logo from the Kenner box with a Big Chap on a red shaped background above a white text ALIEN logo.
The figure window is bordered on three sides and wraps the top flap of the box. The Alien log cuts into the base of the window and below this is the character name and the NECA logo, and this too is inspired by the Kenner logo.
The right hand spine carries the 40th Anniversary logo and character name, while the left hand has an image of the figure topped by the Kenner Alien logo and with another 40th Anniversary logo beneath the image. There is a further figure image on the back along with some generic background text for the movie - rather than the figure.
"IN SPACE, NO-ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM"
"IN A REMOTE REGION OF THE GALAXY, THE UNITED STATES SPACE TUG, NOSTROMO, CARRYING A CARGO OF MINERAL ORE, MAKES ITS RETURN JOURNEY TO EARTH. THE SHIP'S CREW - FIVE MEN, TWO WOMEN AND A CAT - ARE AWAKENED FROM THEIR HYPERSLEEP CHAMBERS WHEN MOTHER, THE ON BOARD COMPUTER, MONITORS A STRANGE TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO COMPANY LAW, THE CREW MUST INVESTIGATE ANY SIGNAL INDICATING POSSIBLE INTELLIGENT LIFE. WHAT STARTS AS A ROUTINE SEARCH MISSION QUICKLY ESCALATES INTO A NIGHTMARE OF UNIMAGINABLE TERROR WHEN THE CREW DISCOVERS AND BRINGS ABOARD AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFEFORM."
Under this background text sits a checklist of the other 8 figures in the 40th Anniversary series. These are shown as head shots of each figure but are not shown in a Wave order.
The figure sits against the red inner colour of the box, there is no cardboard insert. The tray slides out by means of the top flap and the figure is held into place with a variety of twist ties which will take some time to unravel. The accessories are taped into place.
Paint & Sculpt 4.5
This is Parker's debut in the line, and as per usual NECA has delivered on the facial sculpt in terms of the overall likeness to actor Yaphet Kotto from the movie. The facial features are well defined with Parker's beard short trimmed beard framing the face. Skin tone and definition is good and using what NECA are now confirming as Face Print Technology. Sadly the eyes are not quite to up to scratch and the right pupil is off centre compared to the left - indicating these may have been done by hand?
Parker is wearing his white flight suit with a green t-shirt underneath. The uniform is less detailed than some other outfits from Alien, but NECA have recreated the onscreen look with the red trimmed pockets and Nostromo logo on the right shoulder - applied as a decal. The whole ensemble is given a wash of grey to dirty it up and give it the worn look.
Accessories 3.5
Parker is armed with the flame unit from the movie, This is the same accessory as as been packed with Ripley from Alien over the years. It is grey in colour with red and cream fuel tanks and a black nozzle piece. The nozzle is a little warped, being made of a softer plastic.
The unit comes with a flexible rubber strap designed to allow it to be worn by the figure. The problem is that they have left the strap the same length as it was on Ripley, and therefore with Parker's larger frame it is far too short. This is a disappointing oversight. While it can be used to hang the weapon off one shoulder, it can't go over the shoulder and head at all. And when posed the strap pulls up the weapon to an odd position - in the end you will most likely need to leave the said strap hanging loose to the side.
The flame unit sits into the right hand of Parker with no issue and the left hand is sculpted to cup the barrell in a two handed pose - as wielded on screen.
Accessory two is the cattle prod that is also included with the Brett figure in the same wave. This arrives as a one piece item made up of the prod, a flexible cable and the power pack. The sculpt is once again crisp and detailed with clear definition of the switches and component parts. The decor includes blue and yellow trim around the prod as well as green, red and silver switches on the power pack. The power pack also has an articulated handle that is pivoted to help with posing.
Parker comes with a second right hand with a tighter grip for the cattle prod. NECA do seem to have bolstered the wrist pegs to something much more substantial and swapping out the hands is no issue.
The tighter grip is perhaps too tight and has to be prized open to hold the grip of the Cattle Prod. In fact the original hand would have sufficient had it been cast with a little more play in it rather than the harder plastic.
The Power Pack for the Cattle Prod is designed to be held in the left hand, but on Parker this is cast in an open palm to cradle the flame unit. This makes it almost useless to hold the Power Pack - the only option is to try and balance it in the palm - but it always looks like he is about to drop it. An alternative left hand was sorely needed here too.
Having posed Parker with the Cattle Prod the once for our photos, the cable promptly snapped where it connects to the prod. I would urge real caution when using this accessory - particularly considering how hard it is to get into the hand. There is an obvious weakness at the points the flexible cable joins the sculpted parts.
With no NECA Customer Service options in the UK, it will be a super glue repair job for this one.
Articulation 3.5
Parker has a total articulation count of 14 points of articulation, standard for human figures in the NECA Alien line.
Head : ball joint neck
Body : waist swivel
Arms : ball joint shoulder, double joint elbows with swivel, wrist pivot
Legs : ball joint hips, single rotating knees, ankle rockers
Aside from the hands ability to grip them the arm articulation allows for use of the accessories pretty well with twinned grip of the Flame Unit in firing positions as well as at rest.
The legs are a little more restrictive, with the hips sat behind that flexible rubber groin piece which avoids the need for unsightly hip joints being on show, but restricts the upper leg movement to some degree. Single knees do not allow for siting or kneeling and therefore Parker will be left posed standing with options between feet together neutral, oto wider action stances.
The legs are a little more restrictive, with the hips sat behind that flexible rubber groin piece which is meant to avoid the need for unsightly hip joints being on show. For some reason the right hip joint on Parker is on show behind that rubber groin. This rubber section restricts the upper leg movement to some degree. Single knees do not allow for siting or kneeling and therefore Parker will be left posed standing with options between feet together neutral, to wider action stances.
Every joint on Parker is tight and secure and once posed they stay in position. He stands perfectly well and
Summary
Parker is a stunning figure, let down only by the execution of the eyes and a slightly odd gap in the groin section that exposes the right hip. The articulation gives enough movement to pose Parker with either accessory piece and the accessories themselves look great.
What is an issue is the fact they haven't bothered to lengthen the strap for the Flame Unit from when it was packed with Ripley. And what seems to be a longevity issue with the flexible tube on the Cattle Prod.
As mentioned in other reviews of this 40th Anniversary line, I am not completely sold on the packaging. While I see the link to the 1979 Alien product by Kenner, I would have preferred something more aligned to the movie art.
I score Parker from the NECA Alien 40th Anniversary Series a total of 4.0
About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, NECA, Alien, Ridley Scott, Big Chap, Xenomorph, Nostromo, Ripley, Parker, Brett, Dallas, Lamber, Ash, 40th Anniversary Series
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