Got my first set of series 3 today. Just to add my thoughts as you other guys have done now that I finally have the figures in hand. Some pleasant surprise and some not so pleasant surprise.
First the bad - messy paintjobs and on the one that I really didn't want bad paint, the Galleria. Secondly one of the hook arms on my Pescadero is threatening to break off at the elbow and thirdly I don't like the way the healing head is not all-one piece. The left side is seperate and glued on which looks a bit crap.
My Galleria T-1000 has dodgy hairline paintwork, an out of place glossy patch in the hair, a spot of paint above his eyebrow, a dot of scratched off paint beside the eyebrow, his eyeliner paint encroaches into the white of his left eye and theres a whitish paint in his nostril like hes been snorting coke. Just not happy with that on my very first T-1000. I hope the ones I get later will be better. The steel mill T-800 has problems in the paint department too...well its not that bad really but theres a line of extra thick skin paint on his cheek which makes it look like hes got a scar there - only really noticeable if the light catches it and it casts a shadow. Also the eyes look even more cartoony that series 1 and 2. This pains me because the eyes are excellent on the Arnie Conan figure I have from NECA. I'd rather that situation be reversed. Well at least they are looking off to the side as was intended and he hasn't got one eye looking one way and the other eye looking another way. My Steel mill also has the oddity of his upper left thigh and crotch being glossy while the rest of his legs are weathered.
At a distance they're fine but close up things get ugly.
But onto the good - the sculpts are great, we knew they were. I've already said what I think is off on the Galleria T-1000 head so I won't go on about it again but it definitely captures the essence of the T-1000. The general shape, the ears, the hair, the clenched jaw look and the intense 'target sighted' face are present and correct. I also really love the body sculpt. Its a dead-on capture not just of T-1000s build but also his walk. And as you'd expect the clothing is all very detailed and realistic looking. Another plus is the articulation. No more or less than you need for this character IMO, and hidden as well as could be expected.
The Pescadero T-1000 is the same figure but with those bullet hits seamlessly applied on. I thought they were part of the torso sculpt but it seems NECA were able to just recycle here too - I'm not complaining, it works. Though they did miss the fact that there should be corresponding exit wounds on his back. Not a disaster.
The split head is really cool and the paint is decent on mine. It can fit the balljoint properly you just have to force it down. Its great to add this unique battledamage look to the collection, one hopes there'll be more to finish them all out.
The steel mill figure is great for those who were not bothered customising this version out of the previous figures. I did but I bought this one anyway and I don't regret it (well it was part of the case from BBTS). For once the grenade launcher wasn't warped out of shape and the pistol is nice. I've transferred his sideways-looking head to the McFarlane MM4 as was always my intention as that figure better represents that pose.
The nice surprise for me believe it or not is the T2 Battle across time figure. I managed to get a decent paintjob on him, I think the skin paint is on thicker which mutes some of the lines on Arnie's face which I think were overemphasised a bit on the other T-800s. Although it does make him look more like T1 Arnie somehow. His face looks meaner. Anyway this figure is the least necessary of series 3 but he does look really cool with the plasma rifle and shotgun. And here again, for once I got a plasma rifle that isn't warped in some way. Everythings perfectly straight and badass about this gun. I wouldn't call him an essential purchase but if you have the cash to spare just get him.
I'll see about posting pics later.
