Originally published April 10, 2017. This article preserves One Sixth Society’s original reporting and images; product availability, pricing, and opinions reflect the original publication period.
While companies like Art Figures and Virtual Toys are creating figures based on the more recent film Dredd, Xensation Collectibles decided to go for something a bit earlier: the Sylvester Stallone film. Being an unlicensed release, it comes in a lot cheaper than a Hot Toys figure, and it is more on the level of the Asmus Toys Mask figure. So the question stands, how does the figure fare? Surprisingly, it is not a bad figure and our Xensation Judge Dredd Review will cover all aspects of the figure.
The box contains Dredd, two extra hands and a pistol. The hands are painted to resemble leather gloves with gold armor, and the pistol has a serviceable finish. It is a small but reasonable accessory selection.
The figure itself appears to be quite sturdy; the body’s joints are tight and heavy. The helmet is die-cast, while the body also feels substantial in hand. The outfit and armor are well done. The pistol holster is less successful: it does not hold the weapon securely. The figure also has a decent amount of articulation. Some extreme poses are hindered by the armor, but that is to be expected.
The Helmet is Die-Cast but Not Screen Accurate
Now unfortunately, there is a pretty big negative on the figure, and it is quite apparent. The head sculpt on the figure is not the best; the helmet is attached to the head sculpt and it sits way too high on the face which compromises screen accuracy. That being said, the helmet is diecast with an ‘acceptable’ paint job, with some sloppiness showing on the helmet. The face under the mask looks pretty good and bears some resemblance to Sylvester Stallone. We think Xensation could have done a much better job with the helmet.
At its lower price, Xensation’s Dredd offers a reasonable starting point for fans of the character, particularly collectors who enjoy customizing their figures. Out of the box, the missing stand and finish imperfections are compromises, but the figure still offers reasonable value. If you or anyone that you know are Judge Dredd fans, it still deserves a spot on your shelf without modifications, but if you can take the time to make some small changes the figure can really be something special.
Where Dredd Can Move
The armor limits how far the shoulders can rise, but the torso is more flexible than that first impression suggests. The review demonstrates a deep forward bend, backward movement and some sideways lean. The legs can also lift forward without the belt immediately getting in the way. Wider splits are limited by the pants, while the boots have no working ankle pivot.
There are worthwhile details below the helmet. The badge has small Dredd lettering, the belt has a movable front cover, and the knees and boots carry weathering. The holster is held at both the belt and thigh, with a synthetic leather strap. Those layers help the outfit look convincing, even though the holster itself fails to keep the pistol in place.
Watch the accompanying Xensation Judge Dredd Video Review.
Material and Accuracy Are Separate Questions
A die-cast helmet has a different feel from plastic, but the review’s concern is its position on the face. That is a proportion issue, rather than a complaint about weight. Look at the brow, nose and mouth together when judging the likeness; a shiny metallic finish alone cannot settle screen accuracy.
