I have been a Star Trek fan since the beginning and to this day, even when I watch the chubbed-up and well-dressed William Shatner in Boston Legal, I still see and think Captain Kirk. There's no getting away from the fact that once a Trekker always a Trekker. I loved the new Star Trek XI movie! My resistance to new actors playing well-known roles was blown away by the excellent acting, directing, action and plot of the movie. It's worth a second look.
As to Mattel's new Star Trek trio of dolls, a second look still does not entice me. The dolls below are modeled after the actors playing Captain Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and Lieutenant Uhura (Zoe Saldana).
Here's some promo text about the dolls:
—From his magnetic gaze to his pointed ears to his blue, sciences-division uniform shirt, Ken as Mr. Spock perfectly captures the half-Vulcan executive officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise. "Live long and prosper!"
—With his piercing eyes, sandy-brown hair and command-gold uniform shirt, Ken as Captain Kirk embodies the commanding officer of the Enterprise to a tee. "Beam me up, Scotty!"
—Barbie as Lt. Uhura makes a bold statement in her red uniform, black boots and confident stance.
The average retail price is $43 for each doll. Right now they are available at Barbie Collector, Walmart and at select Mattel dealers.
Live Long and Prosper
The Vulcan Salute is a hand gesture consisting of a raised hand, palm forward with the fingers parted between the middle and ring finger and the thumb extended. The salute was devised and popoularised by Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the half-Vulcan character, Mr. Spock, on the original Star Trek television series in the late 1960's. (Excerpt from Wikipedia.)
In his autobiography I Am Not Spock, Nimoy wrote that he based it on the Priestly Blessing performed by Jewish Kohanim with both hands, thumb to thumb in this same position, representing the Hebrew letter Shin (ש), which has three upward strokes similar to the position of the thumb and fingers in the salute. The letter Shin here stands for Shaddai, meaning "Almighty (God)", and has a superb significance in Judaism. Nimoy wrote that when he was a child, his grandfather took him to an Orthodox synagogue. There he saw the blessing performed, and was very impressed by it.
Other Star Trek Dolls
Forgive me if I don't call them 'action figures.' They're dolls. Get over it.
Merchandise from the Star Trek Series and movies spans the decades and comes from a multitude of companies. Here are links to several websites either reviewing the dolls or selling merchandise:
http://startrek.playmatestoys.com/products/index/figures_12
http://store.startrek.com/category/multiple/38+59?subid=185&source=pjn
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/officially-cool-star-trek-barbie-dolls.php
http://www.toyrocket.com/Star-Trek-C1850.aspx?gclid=CJXVwJi0spoCFSbxDAodyBv-bQ
http://www.megomuseum.com/megolibrary/department/jcp75trek.html
http://boxwish.com/blog/view/749-star-trek-gets-a-barbie-makeover
They are only 8" tall but at least they look good and can be posed. Get both dolls for $32. That's less than the price of one Mattel doll.
If you're into weird-looking dolls, here's one for you:
It is an ultra-stylized, poseable vinyl Captain Kirk QUOG action figure for $12.99.
What about a Captain Kirk Talking Wacky Wobbler Bobble Head, also selling for $12.99?
Don't see anything you like? Come sit next to me. Here, have a Tribble.
—From his magnetic gaze to his pointed ears to his blue, sciences-division uniform shirt, Ken as Mr. Spock perfectly captures the half-Vulcan executive officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise. "Live long and prosper!"
—With his piercing eyes, sandy-brown hair and command-gold uniform shirt, Ken as Captain Kirk embodies the commanding officer of the Enterprise to a tee. "Beam me up, Scotty!"
—Barbie as Lt. Uhura makes a bold statement in her red uniform, black boots and confident stance.
The average retail price is $43 for each doll. Right now they are available at Barbie Collector, Walmart and at select Mattel dealers.
Live Long and Prosper
Spock giving the Vulcan Salute
The Vulcan Salute is a hand gesture consisting of a raised hand, palm forward with the fingers parted between the middle and ring finger and the thumb extended. The salute was devised and popoularised by Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the half-Vulcan character, Mr. Spock, on the original Star Trek television series in the late 1960's. (Excerpt from Wikipedia.)
In his autobiography I Am Not Spock, Nimoy wrote that he based it on the Priestly Blessing performed by Jewish Kohanim with both hands, thumb to thumb in this same position, representing the Hebrew letter Shin (ש), which has three upward strokes similar to the position of the thumb and fingers in the salute. The letter Shin here stands for Shaddai, meaning "Almighty (God)", and has a superb significance in Judaism. Nimoy wrote that when he was a child, his grandfather took him to an Orthodox synagogue. There he saw the blessing performed, and was very impressed by it.
Other Star Trek Dolls
Forgive me if I don't call them 'action figures.' They're dolls. Get over it.
Merchandise from the Star Trek Series and movies spans the decades and comes from a multitude of companies. Here are links to several websites either reviewing the dolls or selling merchandise:
http://startrek.playmatestoys.com/products/index/figures_12
http://store.startrek.com/category/multiple/38+59?subid=185&source=pjn
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/officially-cool-star-trek-barbie-dolls.php
http://www.toyrocket.com/Star-Trek-C1850.aspx?gclid=CJXVwJi0spoCFSbxDAodyBv-bQ
http://www.megomuseum.com/megolibrary/department/jcp75trek.html
http://boxwish.com/blog/view/749-star-trek-gets-a-barbie-makeover
My opinion: There are better looking, more articulated and less expensive Star Trek dolls or action figures out there. Art Asylum made this Kirk and Spock "The Wrath of Khan" Action Figure Set.
If you're into weird-looking dolls, here's one for you:
What about a Captain Kirk Talking Wacky Wobbler Bobble Head, also selling for $12.99?
Don't see anything you like? Come sit next to me. Here, have a Tribble.
Forgive me if I don't call them 'action figures.' They're dolls. Get over it.How so very true! Especially people who say "dolls are for girls"... therefore "dolls called by a different name even though they are still dolls are for boys" *rolls eyes*
ReplyDeleteI love Star Trek movies, and did see much of their series.. but i am not a real fan.. however i am just motivated with your comments about the new movie.. I am really happy that it will starts again the franchise..
ReplyDeleteAbout the dolls.. they don´t appeal much to me..