Packaging: The first time I saw this box at Target, I thought the figure was badly done. James Dean's head flares out at the top, the face has a ton of rouge and mascara. A member of the Action Heroes List suggested that this is the way most actors look "on the set" especially in the era of black and white photography. That makes sense since someone else pointed out that the scene of James Dean against the brick wall is from one of his movies. Even if he had worn a lot of mascara on a movie set, most people did not remember James Dean that way! The photo of this box cannot do justice to how totally Barbie this box looks. Mr. Teenage Angst should look more like the photo on the back of the box (see picture). That is my opinion, and why I was somewhat disappointed with the headsculpt. However, if it was meant as a Display piece which collectors would keep in the box, then I guess the explanations by various List members make a lot of sense regarding Dean's look. The photo of James Dean on the back of the box shows a very cool, masculine, mean, harsh, rebel, edgy, vampire-like persona. This is the James Dean that inspired generations of teenagers like Martin Sheen. The action figure should at least look like the "American Legend."
Headsculpt: The headsculpt looks like James Dean, but it needs to be re-painted if you want to use James Dean as an action-figure. I tried to re-paint James Dean's lips and hair. Various other folks have done the same thing better than I have. Unless you are a good model painter or know someone who is, the James Dean as he was manufactured may be better off as he is. While the red lips and other cosmetic issues may not look "right," it still looks better than a bad paint job.
Articulation: As you can see from the photo, James Dean was given a Ken body. Mattel also gave James Dean the Ken neckpost. That did not stop me from cutting the plug off and putting James Dean on a G.I. Joe Classic Collection body. As far as the Mattel body goes, it has open hands, the feet are made of hard plastic, and the articulation is almost zero.
Outfit: The red jacket is very well done, the jeans are also well done, and the T-shirt is useful for any action figure. The boots are SNAP-ON, because Mattel made the figure's legs out of resin and the ankles do not bend. These boots look like motorcycle boots and they could be used on almost any other action figure. This outfit can be used for civilian purposes; motorcyclist, undercover police, Detective, etc. It looks good. The outfit is the best value of the set.
Gear: A figure stand is included.
Price: These sets were originally $49.99 at Target, and then went on clearance at $9.99. I bought this one online for $22.50 including postage.
Overall: The clothing is very good, and the headsculpt looks good but it needs to be re-painted. On the left is the original James Dean headsculpt. On the right is the repainted James Dean. The lips are still a bit too pink, but the hair is darker brown. If you can get a James Dean for $9.99 or at a good price, it is a good set of clothes, and the lips are easy to re-paint, and the hair is also easy to paint brown and eliminate the "streaks." What next for James Dean?
Grade: C
