B.A. Baracus

So the 2010 A-Team movie is out in theaters. It finished #2 the first weekend. Unfortunately I won’t be watching it till Tuesday rolls around because that is the day I get in for free at the movies. Not ’cause I’m cool, but it just happens to be a perk of having a certain cable service. Until then I got a new movie release toy to show you guys. I don’t know about you, but I honestly don’t believe the original Sergeant Bosco Albert “B. A.” (Bad Attitude) Baracus could ever be replaced by anyone. Mr. T just kicked butt as that character. I think the “A” in his name should be replaced by a word I can’t write here instead of standing for “Attitude”. In the 2010 film version, Baracus is played by mixed martial artist Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. While he does a good job from what I see, something just doesn’t feel right. Which is pretty much what I feel about this figure. Something just ain’t right. This figure comes in a clear plastic case style box.

The back states the following: “B.A. is an extraordinary skilled mechanic who can on the fly create highly functional machinery out of ordinary parts. He is also a skilled fighter who “brings it” when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. He has a very short fuse, so do not get him angry. He fears no one and nothing-except getting on a plane.” Also on the back is a hole where curious kids can check out his sound effects.

Once out of the box you have to wrestle him out of an array of those god-awful twist-ties. These are things nightmares are made of, but nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to modern toys.

He stands well enough but if you pull his arms forward he’ll most likely want to tip over, but for the most part he behaves. At this point you start wondering, wow, this thing is pretty bad. It feels hollow and top heavy. He comes holding a small pistol out of the box. If you look closely, one arm is thicker than the other. He must be engaging in some “private” extracurricular activities.

On the back, you’ll see a circle right underneath his neck, this is his button for his “Quotes and Sound Effects” feature. His lower back also contains the speaker, On and Off switch and battery compartment.

Here is a closeup of his back. Not shown is the button to activated the features. He says: – Shut Up! – Sucks to be you homey! – I’m B.A. and your gonna be unconscious – Gunshot sound effect

Anyone who has “Bad Attitude” as a nickname has to have tattoos. Here are the figures tattoos that look like water transfer tattoos you buy down at the Jersey Shore in the summer.

He’s also got some tats on his knuckles, That’s real “B.A.” More so while holding a gun.

This one not so much.

So let’s get into some details. Or should I say lack of. OK I understand these toys are for kids but geez, these toys look SO rushed. For $32.99 I want something with lots of detail, or at least so-so detail, especially if it’s labeled as a 12″ Collector figure. Hot Toys this is not. This figure has very soft sculpting and I am not the least bit impressed. Most cheap 3 3/4″ figures have way better sculpts and paint apps. Let’s start with his jeans. There seems to be a realistic stain on his jeans… or is it sloppy paint application? I gather it’s the latter. I can just picture the assembly line workers in china holding huge paint brushes and just slapping them with paint. The jeans look like they’ve been scraped with a wire brush which lends a nice jean effect at least. I’m surprised they went that far.

Here is his belt. Seriously? Such a big belt and they can’t paint it nice? It’s a 12″ figure!

He comes with an awesome floppy rifle. Just like all awesome rifles should be. Just in case you want to roll it up and stuff it in your pocket. The guy in the assembly line really went to town with the weathering.

He holds his gun like trained gunmen do, with their finger outside the trigger to avoid itchy trigger fingers.

B.A. sporting his Timbs. From a distance they look like socks. no color differentiation between the upper shoe, laces and the sole.

Last but not least is the face. I am at least going to say it is recognizable as Quinton Jackson. I would have hoped for a meaner face since he is supposed to have a bad attitude, but it fits well with the rest of this mediocre figure. Have you ever been in line at the bank or the supermarket and some dude is mesmerized by a sign or something in the distance and is unaware of his surroundings? That’s the face this doll is making.

Articulation? Shoulders swivel, waist sorta turns and head spins. THAT’S IT…ON A 12″ DOLL!

I would have GLADLY sacrificed the sound feature for some extra joints. At least he’s very good at pointing at things. I almost think I would be more forgiving if this was a Mr. T version of B.A. because looking a this one is almost like looking at a bad bootleg version of B.A. Baracus. Call me old fashioned, but I can’t get into the new B.A. “Collector” Figure? Hardly. I would only suggest buying this if you are a hardcore A-Team fan or find this in the bargain bin. Do I regret owning this? No. Why? because this has that kind of cheesy charm that only permeates from a figure decades later. I imagine 20 years from now, finding this in a box and then giggling to myself at how charming this figure is. I imagine only die-hard fans wanting to own this even after seeing the figure in person.

“I PITY THE FOOL WHO PAYS MSRP SIGHT UNSEEN!”