.

The packaging for wave 2 is the same as for the other LOTR 2-packs. Although you can see exactly what you are getting through the window, the cards are larger and more unwieldy than the dinky little Marvel 2-pack boxes.

The back of the packaging shows each of the new sets in wave 2, plus the exclusive Elves. I always like the style of the artwork and text, it seems very faithful to other products in the Lord of the Rings line whilst still managing to bring its own quirky Minimates charm to it.

Boromir is one of the sons of the Steward of Gondor, who is tasked at the Council of Elrond to be part of the Fellowship of the Ring. Boromir’s warlike worldview helps him be corrupted by the power of the One Ring, but he redeems himself in the end. Boromir is played by one of my favourite actors (a dream Minimates line for me would be based on the Sharpe books and telefilms, but I digress) and he has been captured more than adequately in the 2 and a half inch “human” Minimate scale. Not as good as some of the best likenesses, but far from the worst.

The outfit is well detailed, with the usual high-quality paint application, especially on the chain-mail shoulders/upper arms. Boromir’s “skirt” piece does hinder the leg articulation, but that’s a recurring fault which has happened with most of the 2 and a half inch figures in this line. The cape is well done, and he has the grey/red forearm protectors which later are worn by Aragorn.

Boromir has a whole shedload of accessories. He has his sword (which is a similar size to Aragorn’s, no small Elfblade here), along with a scabbard and also a shield. This is executed in the same way as Captain America’s in the Marvel line, and sadly the same size, when it could do with being a touch bigger to more accurately reflect the larger scale. You can put the forearm pieces and the shield on the same arm, but it does restrict the elbow articulation. He also has the horn of Gondor, which can be slung over his shoulder as it is on string. This is an excellent accessory which he can really use well due to his articulation.

Overall, this is another very good “human” Minimate, with lots of detail and playability.

MMC Score – 8 out of 10

I feel for Merry the designers weren’t going for an accurate likeness of the actor and instead have gone for a more “cartoony” look, which is fine by me. The expression itself is good, suitably depicting Merry’s wide-eyed enthusiasm.

Merry’s paint job is simple but effective, the yellow shirt contrasting nicely with the more subdued green and brown hues. The cloak Merry wears is interesting in that it is the only cloak to have the front part of the torso attached to it, presumably this was the best way to allow the overcoat to be longer than the shirt. The normal way to have accomplished the same effect would have been to have a separate overcoat piece which fitted over the shirt, but that would have been doubtful as the cloak also has to go round Merry’s neck and there’s only so much room for extra pieces.

Merry has his own sword and sheath, as well as the cloak. There is also another accessory which could belong to Boromir, a bed roll on a strap. It doesn’t fit either Boromir or Merry but as Boromir has more accessories I took a picture of it with Merry.

Overall, Merry is a fairly average Minimate, not having the same cool accessories as either Frodo or Sam. 

Review and pictures by Danny Mills

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