NECA Predators Series 5 action figures

NECA is an American toy company who specialise in collectibles licensed from music, film, TV & the video gaming industry. Their impressive CV includes characters from Terminator, Nightmare on Elm Street, Robocop, Resident Evil, Assassin's Creed and Gears of War amongst others.

Their action figure range concentrates on the 1/10th scale market and these Predator figures measure approximately 7 & 1/2" tall.

Series 5 of their highly successful Predator line includes three Predators from the Lost Hunters tribe from the 1990 Predator 2 film - Stalker, Snake and Gaurdian who shares the same Gort mask as the SDCC 2011 exclusive Predator.

There are 25 points of articulation on a standard NECA Predator action figure. There are ball joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, waist, legs and ankles. The elbows are hinged and swivel jointed while the knees are double hinged.

So there is plenty of articulation to pose your Predator action figure. One word of advice though - NECA, although they make fantastic looking action figures, their quality control leaves a lot to be desired at times and in the hands of a five year old these figures will be in pieces within minutes! The plastic used can be quite brittle and the joints can be stiff. Sometimes it is best to lightly warm the joints up with a hairdryer before re-creating your favourite pose.

The detailing is superb. The scaly texture on their bodies and the oily paint application is fantastic. The only shame is the netting around the body protrudes from and the paint application doesn't line up with the associated lines.

All three Predators come equipped with different apparel, accessories and weapons. You would think after 14 or 15 variations of the Predator figure, the line would become tedious. But it is the subtle differences between each figure that makes each one unique.

Each Predator has throwing discs which can be clipped into the pouch on their right legs. The Stalker and Snake have retracted combi-sticks while the Guardian has a fully extended combi-stick along with extended wrist blades, a shoulder mounted laser cannon and more comprehensive armour that covers his shoulders and back.

The mask on the Stalker looks battle worn with every minute scrape and dent evident. The Gaurdian Gort mask is intricately detailed while the unmasked Snake Predators shows the menacing mandibles of the feared extra-terrestial.

The Predator species is reknowned for it's trophy hunting and the Snake Predator wears his trophies around his neck. The tiny skulls and bone necklace are beautifully crafted.

Each Predator has a differently sculpted pouch. The gauntlets on the left arms of the Snake and Stalker are identical, however the Stalker has bandages on his right arm.

Of the three figures our favourite here at Order66ToyStore has to be the Gaurdian.

The Snake Predator is nice, the reptile like pattern on his back, the open-mouth and numerous trophies hanging from his neck are fine additions to the figure. But the extra weapons, the fully extended combi-stick, the wonderful detailing in the upper body armour and Gort mask won us over!

All three figures are available now in store priced £12.99.