Mcfarlane Toys Beatles Cartoon Action Figure Box Set Review

In 2005, Mcfarlane Toys pleased fans of The Beatles with a Beatles action figure box set. The box set is based on one of the episodes of from their 1960’s Saturday morning cartoon named “Not a Second Time”.

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What’s Cool?

• Awesome Caricatures of the Beatles - The fun stylization of the Beatles figures is great! Although Mcfarlane Toys didn’t have to do much to design this set (the action figures are very close to the cartoon), they did a good job accentuating the elements in the action figures that keep them true to the original 1960’s Beatles cartoon. The overly large nose on the Ringo action figure and the raised eyebrows on the Paul McCartney’s Beatles figure are great examples of this.
• Interesting Beatles Content – Because the stylization of the Mcfarlane Beatles cartoon action figures is very close to the cartoon, the action figures capture a moment in pop culture’s past that is intriguing to music fans and fans of action figures alike. The fact that Mcfarlane Toys decided to include the crocodile figure as part of the Beatles cartoon action figures box set adds an element of history or at least a reason to ask “Why is there a crocodile with the Beatles?” The history of the Beatles cartoon action figures certainly makes them more interesting.

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What Could Use Some Help?

• Limited Articulation in Each Figure – Each of the Beatles figures in the box set are semi-articulated at the shoulders and head. The articulation is poor at best with very tight joints that only allow for limited movement of each action figure. This is probably OK for most action figure collectors since these Beatles action figures seem to be targeted towards the collectors market and not for play. The fact that Ringo’s stool and the drumsticks in the hands of the Ringo action figure are prone to breakage further drives the point home that these figures were designed for display. The accessories just aren’t durable enough to be played with.

• The Figures are Hard to Balance - Most action figure collectors may be able to overlook the lack of points of articulation in the Mcfarlane Toys Beatles cartoon action figures if it were just a question of style in the action figures. Unfortunately, due to the lack of articulation (especially in the legs and waist), the figures are very hard to keep upright. In my experience, the Beatles cartoon figures do stand up… just not for long.

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The Beatles Cartoon Action Figures Sculpting, Paint and Packaging

The sculpts of the Mcfarlane Beatles action figures stay true to the 1960’s Beatles cartoon. The lines of the figures are clean and sharp with minimal sculpting details on each figure. Even with minimal detailing, the action figures are easily recognizable as each individual Beatles band member. This is partly due to an amazing job of accentuating the individual characteristics that identify each Beatle from the others. Some extra sculpting and paint details are added to the face and head of each action figure to do this. Overall, the Mcfarlane Beatles cartoon action figure box sets are a great set of collectible action figures. They fun action figures that are designed very well with a little bit of rock n roll history mixed in for good measure.