Click on the images for hi-res versions.
Conventional wisdom assumes that things improve over time and one would expect a mass produced statue made some 8 years ago wouldn’t be as good as a recently released statue. While in theory this holds true, with some great new statues being produced lately, that doesn’t mean a statue from some time ago can’t equal or even better many of today’s top releases. The Galadhrim Archer from the Lord of the Rings as produced by Weta and distributed by Sideshow is such statue.
Packaging – 3 and a half stars
The classic usual packaging for all of the old SSW LOTR items, with a full colour art box showing the Archer and information about the Galadhrim’s arrival at Helms Deep. Inside is the usual stryofoam protective packaging, though there is very little room to spare, the total length isn’t much more then the height of the main statue part.
Speaking of parts, this one comes in a few of them. Sitting in various compartments is the base, the two half arrows that rest in the quiver, the bow/hand and full length arrow which is sitting under the main statue. All of these parts are wrapped up in tissue paper, with some soft foam in a couple of places to provide a buffer.
For the most part it all seems to do the job, other then I think a spot on the left shoulder blade. I can’t be sure, but mine did look fairly new, like it hasn’t been on display much at all and spent a lot of its life in the box. As such, I think the left shoulder blade is a major ‘rest’ point and over time it can produce a rub spot.
Sculpture – 4 and a half stars
By its very nature, armour has smooth curved surfaces with as much clean and sharp detail that is chosen to be added. The Elven armour has a lot of design detail, all of which is captured in very sharp and well defined lines. But it doesn’t even stop there, with the various belt buckles nicely sculpted and extra tiny little size adjustment holes on the belt around his waist. The bow is also well sculpted, even though it’s not made of polystone like the rest of the statue and flexes as you pull the real string into the draw hand.
If one was to somewhat nick-pick, the helmet design motifs aren’t exactly as sharp as the lower half of the armour. This doesn’t mean it’s bad, just not as well done as other parts of the statue.
Paint Application – 4 and a half stars
Both smooth and subtle, clean and sharp with nice muted colours in some areas and bright but not too shiny highlights around the various armour parts. The armour looks like real metal that has been worn for years (or centuries, as the case may be), while being well looked after. Equally, the numerous belts look like leather and even the hair is clean without any blobby spots. If there was a minor let down, it would be the cloak on his back. While it has a bit of texture to it and the sculpting looks good, it just doesn’t quite capture the look of cloth, which is of course a common problem with trying to portray fabric in a statue.
Extras – N/A
Nothing to really report here, you either get the full complete statue or you don’t, in which case I guess you purchased an empty box.
Final Word
For a non main, no name character that doesn’t appear at Helms Deep in the books, one could be forgiven for not really making the Galadhirm Archer a purchase priority. I myself focused on getting the Fellowship along with a few other main characters and was only going to worry about the archer if it was easy and cheap enough and if not, than it didn’t matter too much. What a silly mistake that would have been, to miss out on such a fantastic statue. In many ways, not being a named character has helped the archer, rather than focusing on a likeness the statue just captures the amazing design work of the armour and overall look of the Elves in superb detail.
So, for anyone on the fence about the Galadhirm Archer, get off it (the fence that is) and try to secure one, you won’t be disappointed.
Packaging – 3 and a half stars
Sculpture – 4 and a half stars
Paint Application – 4 and a half stars
Extras – N/A
Overall - 4 and a half stars (out of 5)
Name: Galadhrim Archer
Manufacturer: Sideshow/Weta
Edition Size: 2000
Price: $125
Availability: Sold Out
Distributors: Sideshow (www.sideshowcollectibles.com), Weta (www.wetanz.com)
Conventional wisdom assumes that things improve over time and one would expect a mass produced statue made some 8 years ago wouldn’t be as good as a recently released statue. While in theory this holds true, with some great new statues being produced lately, that doesn’t mean a statue from some time ago can’t equal or even better many of today’s top releases. The Galadhrim Archer from the Lord of the Rings as produced by Weta and distributed by Sideshow is such statue.
Packaging – 3 and a half stars
The classic usual packaging for all of the old SSW LOTR items, with a full colour art box showing the Archer and information about the Galadhrim’s arrival at Helms Deep. Inside is the usual stryofoam protective packaging, though there is very little room to spare, the total length isn’t much more then the height of the main statue part.
Speaking of parts, this one comes in a few of them. Sitting in various compartments is the base, the two half arrows that rest in the quiver, the bow/hand and full length arrow which is sitting under the main statue. All of these parts are wrapped up in tissue paper, with some soft foam in a couple of places to provide a buffer.
For the most part it all seems to do the job, other then I think a spot on the left shoulder blade. I can’t be sure, but mine did look fairly new, like it hasn’t been on display much at all and spent a lot of its life in the box. As such, I think the left shoulder blade is a major ‘rest’ point and over time it can produce a rub spot.
Sculpture – 4 and a half stars
By its very nature, armour has smooth curved surfaces with as much clean and sharp detail that is chosen to be added. The Elven armour has a lot of design detail, all of which is captured in very sharp and well defined lines. But it doesn’t even stop there, with the various belt buckles nicely sculpted and extra tiny little size adjustment holes on the belt around his waist. The bow is also well sculpted, even though it’s not made of polystone like the rest of the statue and flexes as you pull the real string into the draw hand.
If one was to somewhat nick-pick, the helmet design motifs aren’t exactly as sharp as the lower half of the armour. This doesn’t mean it’s bad, just not as well done as other parts of the statue.
Paint Application – 4 and a half stars
Both smooth and subtle, clean and sharp with nice muted colours in some areas and bright but not too shiny highlights around the various armour parts. The armour looks like real metal that has been worn for years (or centuries, as the case may be), while being well looked after. Equally, the numerous belts look like leather and even the hair is clean without any blobby spots. If there was a minor let down, it would be the cloak on his back. While it has a bit of texture to it and the sculpting looks good, it just doesn’t quite capture the look of cloth, which is of course a common problem with trying to portray fabric in a statue.
Extras – N/A
Nothing to really report here, you either get the full complete statue or you don’t, in which case I guess you purchased an empty box.
Final Word
For a non main, no name character that doesn’t appear at Helms Deep in the books, one could be forgiven for not really making the Galadhirm Archer a purchase priority. I myself focused on getting the Fellowship along with a few other main characters and was only going to worry about the archer if it was easy and cheap enough and if not, than it didn’t matter too much. What a silly mistake that would have been, to miss out on such a fantastic statue. In many ways, not being a named character has helped the archer, rather than focusing on a likeness the statue just captures the amazing design work of the armour and overall look of the Elves in superb detail.
So, for anyone on the fence about the Galadhirm Archer, get off it (the fence that is) and try to secure one, you won’t be disappointed.
Packaging – 3 and a half stars
Sculpture – 4 and a half stars
Paint Application – 4 and a half stars
Extras – N/A
Overall - 4 and a half stars (out of 5)
Name: Galadhrim Archer
Manufacturer: Sideshow/Weta
Edition Size: 2000
Price: $125
Availability: Sold Out
Distributors: Sideshow (www.sideshowcollectibles.com), Weta (www.wetanz.com)
, the Archer has some of the very best paint of the entire line. 
