Look at My Favorite Playmates!

Before the Star Trek movie premiered last Thursday night, I finally caved and bought a few more of Playmates Toys' 6-inch "Warp Collection" action figures. If you recall, I previously reported that I was only going to indulge in the Nero figure because he's a Romulan, and I luuuuuv Romulans.

There are 10 Warp Collection figures. Captain Pike, Kirk, Spock, Scotty and Sulu are outfitted in their Starfleet uniforms while McCoy, Uhura and Chekov are dressed in cadet uniforms. The final figure is the elder "Spock Prime."

I sprung for Kirk, Spock, Scotty and Sulu specifically because of their duty uniforms (but I haven't found Pike yet). I'm passing on the "cadet" figures because the red color of their plastic uniforms is markedly duller than the movie costumes. Also, I'm not getting Spock Prime because I think it looks terrible. The ambassadorial "cloak" is so plain and unflattering that it just isn't worth it. When Playmates decides to outfit Spock Prime in his Delta Vega parka and cold weather gear, then I'll lay out the cash.

I think it was the Scotty and Sulu figures that ultimately decided it for me. Their likenesses to Simon Pegg and John Cho, respectively, are quite good. Then I bought Spock because blue is my favorite color and the deep blue of his uniform tunic was irresistible. Finally, I got Kirk because … well … he's Kirk! In addition, I guess I really wanted at least one version of the characters in their unique, "Starfleet-delta-textured" tunics. Playmates did a good job of fashioning them.

One thing I really hate about the two Spock figures, though, is that they're packaged with one hand giving the Vulcan "live long and prosper" salute. This "gimmick" has been so overdone in Star Trek figures these past 15 years or so that it's just ridiculous now. Thankfully, Playmates included a "relaxed" right hand that can be switched out with the "salute" hand for each Spock. But you've gotta see how young Spock is posed in his package … the salute hand is at slightly more than a 45-degree angle, making Spock look like he's using it as a pair of scissors.

Finally, each figure comes with a black utility belt, a phaser pistol, a non-flip-top communicator and a Starfleet-delta-shape figure stand.

I'm happy with them … but I'll be happier when I can find Pike, and, of course, when Playmates eventually releases McCoy, Uhura and Chekov in their Starfleet duty uniforms.

(Wishlist: Kirk in black shirt, Kirk in Kobayashi Maru uniform, Spock in Starfleet Academy tunic, and Uhura in bra and panties.)