MILLENNIUM GODZILLA - Bandai Vinyl Classic Godzilla

Millennium Godzilla is part of the current 3-figure release of Bandai vinyl Classic Godzilla figures available at Toys R Us. Other releases in the series include Rainbow Mothra and Burning Godzilla. Each can be found for about $13 retail.

Bandai vinyl Godzilla figures come in an open package, meaning that the figure is strapped to a cardboard backing/base with 3 plastic ties. On the upside, this means you can see very clearly exactly what you're getting. On the downside, the packaging does nothing to protect the contents.

These vinyl figures are fairly simple in design- I'm not sure I'd call them action figures, so much as slightly poseable statues. Millennium Godzilla measures between 6 and 7" in height, and a little over 10" long from snout to curled tail-tip. He features a nicely detailed sculpt and a fairly sloppy paint job. The face (eyes and teeth) has some incomplete coverage, and there's a bit of overage around the claws both on the feet and hands. The enormous spines along his back are highlighted with a thick edging of day-glo purple paint. Air bubble holes are visible, and there's a good amount of run-off where the spines meet the body. His arms are molded in a glossy vinyl while the rest of the body is matte.

Millennium Godzilla is a fierce version, complete with a nasty snarl and enormously oversized spines. He sculpted hunched forward in a pre-posed crouch. His limited 4 points of articulation (swivels at the shoulders allow in/out rotation, and the cut hips allow for some slight adjustment of the legs) and the sculpt of his feet (with the right one bent mid-step) really make this a one-pose guy.

My figure's right leg is considerably shorter than the left, so he needed a hot-water bath to prevent a serious lean.

Godzilla does a fine job of "being what it is". He's solid for kids to play with, is relatively cheap to buy, and looks pretty good. I'd imagine he could perform well in any knock-down, drag-out battle, much more so than the expensive S.H. MonsterArts series would, and he's priced to allow for a decent-sized collection without breaking the bank. This is a kid's toy, and for that it's good enough. As a collector's display piece, it's pretty lacking, but then again, you get what you pay for. I'm glad to have a Millennium version Godzilla, but if I want a Burning Godzilla, I'll probably spring for the MonsterArts version. My son, on the other hand, would probably be happy enough to give the vinyl line a go...