SIDESHOW COLLECTABLES ARAGORN EXCLUSIVE PREMIUM FORMAT FIGURE
A complete set of every LOTR Sideshow/WETA piece must exist somewhere. I can’t imagine being that devoted to any single pop culture property myself but do confess to owning a lot of the LOTR pieces I consider signature storytelling archetypes. In the end I’m less interested in the film or even the novel but the characters and character types and what they represent symbolically. Perhaps its the way they cry out to have their meaning recognized, “Here is bravery, cowardice, nobility, innocence, evil etc.” But with so many pieces and lines to choose from it can be difficult to get started. The obvious thing is to stick with one line and hope that they do your favorites justice. But as someone who has had pieces from all of the lines I highly recommend mixing and matching them. Really large characters like the trolls and the Balrog have made spectacular Legendary Scale Busts and so far the Premium Format line has been generally great. I have issues with the statue like appearance of Galadriel- she’s a little mannequin like. But every other piece has been amazing. I know, I know. Some of you were unhappy with Frodo but for me virtually every piece in this line has bridged the gap between stylized approach and film likeness dead on.
Aragorn is a case in point. Like Gandalf he is remembered as two fairly distinct (perhaps even three) characters. The first and most debatable is as the hooded lurker in the shadows early in the first book. Then as the guide and warrior Strider. Finally as the King. As individually and symbolically compelling as they are I can’t imagine, even if Sideshow rendered them perfectly, ever purchasing three separate Aragorns. And forced to choose between them I would say that in many ways Aragorn as Strider seems the most resonant. The protector, sullied but not lost to the world, still able to rise up and do battle for a righteous cause. Here we get him mid-stride as he swings his battlesword. The exclusive version features an extra hand with knife. And I love the facial sculpt. Instead of absolutely spot on Viggo we get a more stylized look that captures a broader idea of human bravery and nobility and battle weary fierceness. The costuming is as lush as everyone has said with unbelievable detailing especially on the shoes, belt and weaponry. And everything including Aragorn himself bears the dust of travel and life on the road.
When unwrapping this thing you’ll want to be very careful ot to snag the hair strands that hang in front of Aragorns face. The are very thin and in the future the value of your piece will probably be determined, at least part, by whether or not that strand is intact as it is liable to be the first thing broken by careless collectors. The next danger area would be the feet and base. Only one foot attaches to the base so whenever moving it make sure the figure and base and held static so that no chips result. I can’t imagine this figure ever doing anything but appreciate in value and for fans of the film I like it even better than the far more expensive ($1200!!) Cinemaquette figure.
