Hi all, new guy here. I registered specifically to share my take on this figure. I'm typically on the Sideshow, Rebelscum and Fwoosh Forums.
I think the Ultimate City Predator 2 is great. I sold my original version last year when I heard NECA was releasing an Ultimate version with better articulation and I don't regret that decision at all.
The Bad: the opening flap to the wrist computer was broken out of the box. The problem? The set of hinges on the flap side are actually oval in shape. It's fine when closed, but when you open the flap the oval shape hinge pushes on the bottom and lifts the entire flap upwards, putting stress on the hinge and breaking it. The fix is to sand the hinge to a rounder profile and carefully reglue it. I added a pin to help align it and keep the flap closed.
The Good: Better paint work especially with the netting. I love having the unmasked portrait and all the extra accessories including the new clip to hold the spear on his back. The net gun is seperate now and comes with a specific firing hand. The double jointed elbows, and bicep swivel is awesome, finally a Predator 2 figure that can achieve so many cool action poses. Who ever said the upgraded joints are unnecessary doesn't understand the concept of action figures vs. statues
The new torso joint is well hidden, and used with the waist joint, can give enough oh a hunched over look when needed. All the joints are tighter, including the ankles which popped off constantly on the original issue. In addition the wrist blades do extend, something which on line reviews said it can't do. The plasma cannon can also swivel at two points, the neck of the support (where it attaches to the cannon) is a ball joint, while the base rotates as well.
I made some small adjustments to my figure, for example I moved the sideways pouch under the chest armor, so it won't dangle freely, the crotch armor straps was replaced with nylon rope so it hangs a little lower, and I removed the spear tips and reglued it in place reinforced with a metal pin to make it stronger.
I hope the above pics illustrate what a great figure this is, especially compared to the original. The poorly designed wrist computer hinge is an annoyance (it can be fixed), but it shouldn't detract from all the other things NECA did right with this figure.
BOBBY
