Hot Toys Avengers Infinity War Thor figure review

Right when I started packing up my figures to move, my Hot Toys Avengers: Infinity War figures started shipping. I figured it made sense to start reviewing them in the order they arrived so up next is the Avengers: Infinity War Thor figure.

Of all of the many featured characters, Thor came off the best thanks to the Russo Brothers finally unleashing Thor in a way we haven’t seen before. He was a mix of tragedy and overwhelming power. In Infinity War, Thor was truly the game changer. As is often the case with Hot Toys figures, I have to be choosy. I figured after the Age of Ultron version, I wouldn’t need another one, but Infinity War has become my favorite Marvel Studios film (pending Avengers: Endgame) and I’m in a mess of trouble.

Packaging:  Hot Toys traditionally has kept their Marvel Cinematic Universe figures pretty simple. Civil War and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 were the first to really show some creativity with the packaging. That continues with Infinity War.

Thor’s packaging features some foil elements that were all the rage for comic covers back in the 90s. It’s a classy touch that teases his electrifying actions in the final act. I love the bright electric blue as it plays off nicely with the deep space backdrop.

The inner package is loaded with multiple levels of trays and inserts. Thor is one of the more overwhelming figures I’ve opened recently just in terms of sheer accessories and display options and seeing everything at once is pretty cool.

Likeness:  Right out of the package, the figure is set up in his final conflict attire. That means he’s got the cape, chain mail sleeves and no eye patch. The likeness is absolutely astonishing.

Hot Toys has never really struggled getting Chris Hemsworth’s likeness down, but this one is at another level. It’s basically the Ragnarok sculpt with some alterations. The most obvious are the scar through the right eye and no seam for the swappable hair. I decided not to get the Ragnarok figure despite loving that film and I’m glad I waited as this is a better version. Check out the slight crease in the forehead, the small bags under the eyes and that focused intensity.

This also means we get the final Ragnarok look just before Thanos comes a-calling. I love the detailed work on the hairline with the ragged haircut from Barber Stan Lee and the beard as well as the intensity in the eyes.

Scale: Thor clocks in a little taller than the average Hot Toys figure. I appreciate he’s slightly taller than Star-Lord. Hopefully he retains that height over Captain America and Iron Man.

Paint:  It doesn’t get more lifelike or better than a Hot Toys figure. There’s no gloss or odd directions for the eyes. Thor is focused straight ahead and looks ready for Thanos. Hot Toys has mastered the art of creating a lifelike skin pattern and it’s remarkable in action especially with a figure with facial hair.

And in another great instance of Hot Toys paying full attention to detail, Thor’s right eye is a different color thanks to Rocket’s spare.

I really like the gradient effect on the lightning bolts and circles. It really gives that impression of it the bolt’s strongest point of intensity in the center.

Uniform:  This isn’t one of Thor’s more colorful outfits. It’s basically all black leather with various paneling and plating.

I prefer the early look as the bare arms break up the all black look.

I love the gauntlets as they still call back to the wrapped look of the comic.

The vest has some solid detail work and I love the metallic look of the circles. They look ready to start charging out some lightning.

The collar clasp and cape are sized just right so as not to give that dreaded no-neck look. The tailoring on the cape is very well done.

Moving on to the lower section, the pants have a number of designs. This would look too busy if it were in any other color but black.

While I like the sleekness of the boots (and the well worn scuffed up shin pads), it’s the biggest departure from the source material. Still, I kinda dig the sneaker-like appearance and tread.

Articulation:  I never consider Thor much of the more dynamic of the Avengers. He’s all about throwing hammers and blasting away with his lightning. I only wish I could recreate Thor chucking Stormbreaker at Thanos. Still, Thor isn’t able to get the kind of dynamic poses I’d like. I’m surprised the neck piece doesn’t provide better movement since it’s separate from the head. That created a bit more of a ‘toy-look’ than the usual Hot Toys figure so it was disappointing that didn’t allow for smoother movement.

Avengers: Infinity War Thor has:

• neck
• shoulders
• elbow
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• torso
• hip
• knee
• ankle

Accessories:  Have a seat. This will take a while. Hot Toys went all out with this one to provide the definitive Infinity War version of Thor.

We’ve got:

• A pair of interchangeable bare arms and chain mail arms
• Four pairs of hands: relaxed, fists, open hands and weapon holding
• Six detachable black metal plates with LED light-up function
• Stormbreaker
• One eye patch
• Two lightning effects
• And an Infinity War theme stand

The arms swap off although there’s going to be that moment where you think you’re going to break them. Be careful with the bare arms though as they don’t have the easier grip of the chain mail arms.

The eye patches have a magnetic strip so they’re no problem in terms of resting in the eye socket. Do be a little careful when moving it on and off though.

 

Stormbreaker is awesome. It’s really impressive and captures that it’s made up of Groot right down to the leaf near the base.

I had immediate frustration with the metal plates as I couldn’t get the tab out of the first one and nearly snapped one of the three off. The rest were much easier, but I’m leery of swapping them on and off too much. I didn’t have any issue with them falling off like some other reviewers, which makes me wonder if some of their tabs broke unknowingly.

Light-up Features:  One of the big features is the lightning lit armor pieces. They light up brightly enough even in regular light, which is much better than some light-up features. Thankfully, the battery installation wasn’t the headache it normally is since Hot Toys used larger batteries this time. Please keep that as the trend!

In an odd decision, Hot Toys opted to make the eye light up via UV light. Check around the dark recesses of the garage and let me know how it looks as I don’t have one anywhere close. Maybe there’s an app for that?

Worth it?  Thor clocks in at $267. That’s about $40 more than the standard Hot Toys figure even though they keep ticking higher with the Infinity War wave. That said, a few years ago this would have been two separate figures and having the all-in-one capability definitely makes this figure worth the higher price tag.

Rating:  9 out of 10

Where to get it?  Eventually the Avengers: Infinity War Thor is going to sell out on sideshowcollectibles.com. I wouldn’t wait too long to get him. I suspect as more Infinity War figures come out, the greater demand for the earlier figures.