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MI6 Review: Jinx - Sideshow Collectibles
2002 saw 007 turn 40 on the silver screen with the 20th
James Bond film “Die Another Day”. Then yet
to be Oscar nominated actress Halle Berry was cast as Giacinta
`Jinx` Johnson in the biggest James Bond film ever alongside
Pierce Brosnan.
On the subject of Jinx last year, screenwriters
Neal Purvis & Robert Wade explained the concept
for her character “we’re trying to think that
this woman had stepped out of her own movie series into
James Bond's world” putting her on par with 007.
Jinx is the second female figure to be issued by Sideshow
in their Bond range. After the poor start with Pussy Galore
have they made improvements in this line?
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Sideshow
Collectibles, founded in 1994, has been exclusively licensed
to create a line of 12" collectible figures in the likeness
of all five Bond actors, key villains and some of the famous women.
MI6 reviews the Sideshow Collectibles figures...
Giacinta "Jinx" Johnson
- Halle Berry
Item No: 7715
Size: 12 inch (304mm)
Weight: 3.00 lbs (1.30 Kg)
Units: 4500
Artist: Mat Falls
Order
Online - Sideshow Collectibles
Official Description
Jinx swims into Bond’s life blinding him with the
vision of her rising from the water, similar to another
woman, Honey Ryder. Bond encounters Jinx again while following
Zao to a mysterious island health clinic. As this grenade
throwing, gun-toting minx destroys the clinic and then makes
a daring cliff diving escape, Bond realizes she is more
than what she appears to be.
Accessories
The limited edition 14 inch Jaws comes with over
30 points of articulation allowing for full human movement
and features a film-accurate Halle Berry portrait, costume
and accessories. Included in the full-color package are:
Belt with throwing knife sheaths, Throwing Knives, Beretta
pistol and a 12" figure stand with Die Another Day
logo.
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Above: The front flap box art |
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Packaging
Featuring the US Jinx character poster on the front, the
packaging follows Sideshow’s Bond template layout
and design. The inner flap gives a brief mission overview
and cast list, which is the same as the Zao figure. The
style used on the descriptive titles on the box is different
though. The rear starts by looking at Halle Berry’s
acting career and it is split by six character portraits
from the film. Rounding up the rear cover are the three
staples Sideshow add to their Bond range, ‘The Bond
Girl’ (a look at the Jinx character), Brosnan (four
times ‘James Bond’) and ‘Villain’
(the eclectic Gustav Graves played by Toby Stephens).
The sides of the box show Jinx posed through the eye of
the gun barrel logo and film title.
The wires that hold the figure in the box are easy to remove,
not being wrapped around the figures sternum like earlier
1/6 figures. Sideshow has moved to using a stand which can
be easy removed and replaced back into the box without damaging
the tray. The standee is stamped with the film title “Die
Another Day” and actress – character name.
Sculpting
There is an evident likeness between the figure and Halle
Berry. Most of the detailed sculpting can be found on the
head, where the hair has been accurately portrayed with
lots of tufts and impressive detail. However, a production
join line can be seen on the left-hand side of the head,
but it does disappear over the centre of the head. Looking
directly at the face the sculpted likeness is strong, but
if viewed in profile it does not look like Halle Berry’s
Jinx.
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In the film, Berry’s character wears a pair of small earrings
that are missing from the figure’s well-formed ears. Both
eyes appear too small, but are correctly proportioned.
Black hands have been sculpted to give the illusion of leather-gloved
hands. Both gloves have been sculpted to a high degree, and all
the join lines lie on seam lines. No flashing is visible on either
glove, and they have been fully detailed with contours and short
extensions that cover the wrist joint.
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Detailing
The most the detailing can be found on the face and gun.
Starting form the top of the head, two tone hair has been
made up of a dark brown base and lighter brown highlights.
Bleed is visible on the fringe and right wispy sideburn.
Using two colours has given the hair character and depth.
Both ears could have received more attention as bleed is
visible on the right, the left however appears to have not
suffered from bleed, but a confusion of colour. The pert
lips are finished in a glossy colour, and the figures’
eyebrows are flat wisps, well placed and clean but lack
shape.
The head does not have a glossy plastic finish. More definition
could have been used to highlight the sculpting and give
more warmth.
Articulation
Using Sideshow's 12 inch female body, Jinx has all the movement
you would expect to place her in an action poses. She features
tight fitting joints from the head, neck, ball jointed shoulders,
chest, cut biceps, double jointed elbows, and wrists. The
waist down with a twistable waist, hips, thighs, and knees.
Ankles that are slightly impeded by the calf high boots,
but due to their soft compression the restriction is limited.
The well fitting suit allows for a full range of movement.
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| Outfit
In 2004, the costume that this figure was modelled on was
auctioned in London, designed by returning costume designer
Lindy Hemming. It was a red two piece suit that Jinx wears
when breaking into Graves’ diamond mine in Iceland
where Bond saves her from a henchman and from an icy grave.
Made up of a three main pieces - jacket, trouser (pants)
and boots - Sideshow have used ‘pleather’ on
the two costume pieces.
Both the trousers (pants) and jacket fit extremely well.
Good tailoring is evident in both garments. The jacket allows
for free movement, and is extremely well tailored, however
the finishing stitching at the bottom on the jacket is a
little messy. Three poppers keep the jacket closed and are
easily secured and well positioned.
As with the jacket, the trousers (pants) are extremely
well tailored and fitted. A single popper secures them at
the waist. Finally, the boots are made of a soft rubber
that has enabled Sideshow to add lots of sculpted detail,
including the soles. With a little effort the boots can
be removed, but when replacing them the trouser legs tend
to bunch up making it tedious to replace them.
Accessories
Equipped with a silenced handgun, six throwing knifes and
belt to keep them in, the figure has more accessories than
most. First seen in the medical facility, Jinx’s silenced
Beretta is film accurate. The gun also has been detailed
with tan coloured grips, but a join line can be seen running
down the length of the gun.
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Above: Reverse box art |
The knife belt is a little tricky to re-attach after removing, but
it becomes easier each time you have figured out how to reattach
successfully. The six identical knifes which can’t be held
by the figure fit into the belt snugly. Each knife is well formed
with three holes in each handle.
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Accessories
Belt with throwing knife sheaths
Throwing Knives
Beretta pistol
Overall
A massive improvement by Sideshow Collectibles on their
second female figure in the 007 range. If you are a collector
of Sideshow’s Bond series then this figure is highly
recommend over the previous Pussy Galore. Even with the
improvements, this female figure is still not perfect and
yet again leaves the Bond range short of a definitive Bond
Girl. The costume is the strongest feature, but the knives
and belt are a little weak.
MI6 Rating
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Related Articles
Die Another Day MI6 Movie Coverage
Halle Berry - Giacinta Jinx Johnson
Images courtesy Sideshow
Collectibles. Original content is copyright mi6-hq.com ©
1998-2005.
Bond materials © Danjaq and United
Artists. Bond trademarks ™ Danjaq.
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