It's Evil Woody? Save us Buzz!
Written: Aug 29 '04 (Updated Oct 19 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nicely produced Woody figure. Talking backpack and light-up lantern.
Cons: Woody looks evil! Doesn't hold lasso well.
The Bottom Line: Lots of fun accessories, cool figure, but he does look evil...
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| mizgnomer's Full Review: 6-inch Disney Exclusive Toy Story and Beyond Woody |
For my son's 3rd birthday he had requested a Toy Story party, in keeping with his latest obsession, so the hubby and I were on the lookout for unique Toy Story toys to open on the big day. Although we had just about everything the discount chains had to offer, I stopped into the local Disney Store and was rather surprised to see them quite well-stocked with an exclusive line of Toy Story gear. There were 3 different 6-inch Buzz figures to choose from, but only 1 Woody. My son loves both characters equally, and we strive to give them both equal time in his toy chest, so I went home with one of the Buzz figures and the only Woody figure available.
Product Description:
This "Disney Store Exclusive" Woody is a cute, chunky version of the tall, skinny Woody from Toy Story. He stands 6 inches tall and the detail of the sculpt work is quite nice (right down to stitched-looking knees and detail on his belt buckle). All of the Woody details are there, including a molded-in pull-string and his empty gun-holster. His hands and feet are very oversized, helping him to stand easily and not tip over. The paint job is quite nice, with fading from dark to light blue on his jeans and highlights on his belt buckle. As far as articulation goes, his head swivels at the neck, his arms move at the shoulders, and his legs are jointed at the hips.
This Woody also comes with a number of accessories:
~ Backpack: A fun accessory, Woody's backpack says 3 pre-recorded phrases (as Woody) when you press the emblem on the flap. The 3 phrases are:
"I LOVE cowboy camp"
"Yee-haw!"
"Howdy Pardner" (the misspelling is deliberate)
The backpack is cute, with a friendly snake peeking out of one side and a loop for holding Woody's lasso. A rolled-up sleeping bag rests on top. There are two loops in back, presumably so the backpack can be worn. We tried every way possible to actually get the backpack on Woody's back, but were unable to manage it what with Woody's huge hands. Thanks to Epinions member Pippadaisy, we now know that you can (with much pulling and straining) pull the bottom parts of the straps out, maneuver the straps over Woody's shoulders, then plug the straps back into the bottom of the backpack. So Woody can wear the backpack!
~ Lantern: The lantern is rather nifty as well. Woody can hold it in his left hand, and when the button on top is pressed the interior bulb lights up!
~ Lasso: This is a stiff plastic "rope" with a lasso-loop on top. Woody can hold the lasso in his left hand, and there is a little wheel embedded in his wrist. When your child turns the wheel, the interior of Woody's left hand rotates, so if he's holding the lasso it will spin.
~ Cowboy hat: Unlike most of the small Woody figures available today, this Woody's hat is a separate piece.
The backpack requires 2 1.5V AG-13 batteries (included). The lantern requires 2 1.5V AG-3 batteries (included). The manufacturer recommends this toy for children age 3 and up.
Our Experiences:
I was really thrilled that we were able to find some Toy Story toys that my son didn't already have, and I was grateful to have a Woody to accompany the Buzz. I will admit that this toy isn't quite as great as I had originally thought. It took us a long time to get Woody to actually hold the lasso. I nearly gave up on it, but eventually got it to stay after applying A LOT of pressure (my son isn't strong enough to do it himself, although once Woody's holding it my son can get it to turn). The backpack is the same -- it takes A LOT of tugging to get the straps out so Woody can actually wear it. It is much too hard for my son to manage alone. Lastly, and this might purely be some weirdness on my part, but I think this Woody looks evil. It's hard to explain -- I've compared him with my son's big Woody, as well as some of the smaller Hasbro Woody figures, but this one just looks evil! I think it is a combination of his slanted eyebrows, his completely open eyes (the other Woody's all have visible eyelids - this one does not), and the grin. A big smile with eyes that wide open and slanted eyebrows just looks, well, evil! My son doesn't think he looks strange at all (well, except for that time he came into the room with Woody and exclaimed, "He's Mad!"), but my husband and I muse that out of all of my son's toys, this one appears to be the one most likely to come to life in the middle of the night and do you in...
My son really likes the fact that you can take Woody's hat off. At the beginning of "Toy Story 2" Woody has lost his hat, so my son always makes a big deal out of keeping the hat with his larger, 18-inch Woody figure. None of his other small Woody figures have detachable hats, so the fact that he can remove the 6-inch Woody's hat makes this one of his favorite smaller figures. I've seen him deliberately "hide" that hat and have his 6-inch Buzz and Woody hunt for it.
This is a Disney Store exclusive, and I haven't found it offered on the Disney Store online site, so it looks like the only place you can get it is in a brick & mortar Disney Store (or eBay).
Quickie Summary:
Pros:
+) Comes with lots of fun accessories
+) The lantern actually lights up
+) The backpack recites 3 fun Woody-phrases
+) Removable hat
+) Lasso spins when disc on Woody's wrist is rotated
+) Really nice detail work in the sculpt and paint job
Cons:
-) Little accessories are easily lost
-) Backpack-wearing and Lasso-holding require some muscle
-) Only available at a Disney Store
-) Looks kinda evil...
Final Thoughts:
My son loves this Woody. At 6 inches tall it's a great size for imaginative play (with Woody as well as his Rescue Heroes and Superfriends figures). It also comes with lost of cool little accessories. Mom and Dad might think that this Woody looks a little strange (evil), but my son adores him and that's what really matters.
Related Reviews:
Buzz Lightyear's Intergalactic Spaceship
Buzz Lightyear's Intergalactic Headquarters
Woody's Wacky Fire Truck
Toy Story - Intergalactic Emergency
Buzz Lightyear Kid-Sized 30 Piece Puzzle
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.50
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Epinions.com ID:
mizgnomer
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Location: Tennessee
Reviews written: 306
Trusted by: 202 members
About Me:
Don't meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you're crunchy and taste good with ketchup
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