• Manufacturer: Unknown.
• Released: Unknown. Sometime after 2007.
  

Firstly, I’m not exactly sure what to make of this item as no information is available, anywhere.  So let’s see how this pans out without too much prior understanding, shall we?

This is a cheap, weird unlicenced action figure made in Mexico. It’s a bootleg item, straight and simple; and it probably has its origin as a copy from some other fully licenced product I’ve not able to ascertain. Such derived bootleg figures tend to be cheap and nasty knock offs. Ironically, they can also carry a unique and strangely beguiling ambience not found in other – more legitimately licenced – ALIEN action figures.

This one is no exception and falls squarely into that category. The manufacturer must be laughing at Fox, Official licencees and us, the fans with a release such as this; what exactly is the appropriate course of action to be taken, here? I say, embrace and celebrate that mockery and laugh along with them.

As is typical of these nefarious and clandestine products, no manufacturer information, date or other details are to be found stamped onto the figure. There is no maker’s mark and no identity whatsoever. I don’t even know what the packaging was originally like. Or if there was any. It was probably packed into a simple bag ‘n’ tag arrangement as is common with these bootleg items, and sold at a market. Cheap. I’d love to know more. This item was purchased on Ebay, used. Not something I would normally review – previously opened and ‘used’ condition like this doesn’t lend well to appropriate representation in a review. Here, though, I am willing to make an exception.

At 9.5 inches tall, it’s a decent sized figure and comparable in scale to popular NECA characters. It will look out of place amongst them but that’s where the joy is to be found with this figure. This is something different. Very different, actually, so let’s indulge further and find out what it’s got to offer.

Articulation is moderately good for a weird bootleg sample such as this. Most of the figure is served with rotation points throughout and can be found at the neck, shoulders (for the arms), wrists, waist, hips (for the legs) and tail. Add the metal pinned hinge joints at the elbows and it all make for a surprisingly good range of movement on this questionable piece of lurid junk.

While this Predalien may not be as detailed as, say, the NECA Hybrid figure released over a decade ago, it kills that figure in the area of articulation as the NECA figure was generally inadequate in terms of its range of movement. Of course, NECA have improved a lot since then; and a new iteration of the Hybrid figure with updated articulation is still anticipated, sometime.

Nonetheless, a surprise to be sure for the cheap knock off on hand. The range of movement is good and the user poseable options do range very well. At 1/10 the price of the NECA figure, a good make over to this item with a custom paint job makes this figure a viable alternative. It would be possible to transform this curiosity piece into something very reasonable and worthy of display as the detail on the sculpting is generally very good and well proportioned overall despite it not being utilised to maximum effect by the default paint finish.

Quality assurance, be damned!

This is something to consider because the slapdash and slipshod paint application of purple detailing along with lazy two-toned green and bronze wipes over the translucent green figure is a sloppy mess. On the other hand, if owning an action figure that looks like it’s been painted in the dark by Jackson Pollack is your thing, then this finish is perfect. Of course, that’s one way to look at it. In this case, having Asylum Studios production levels present in a toy gives it a unique atmosphere. Lurid. Cheap. Unconventional. I love it.

There are some surprising accessories to be found with this ‘illegal Alien’ and included in the purchase were a mask, wristblades and plasmacaster. That’s an odd assortment of extras for an Alien character and provides an opportunity for it to side with Predators instead.  A turncoat Alien?  Maybe. …or maybe he just hasn’t figured out yet which team he’s supposed to be on. There’s some fun to be had with that idea. There’s also a pair of appendages included with the figure that need to be fitted onto its back. A little immersion of the connection points into hot water eased them into place without a problem. No other assembly was required.

There’s one other terrific stand out feature that helps to amplify the dual garishness and wonderful nature of this dubious figure and push its strange, offbeat quality to maximum effect. An overtly large and conspicuous button found on the back of the figure will activate a series of LED’s present inside. Press this, and the torso lights up and cycles through several colors like a Christmas tree.

It’s an impressive light show and helps to add a much needed attraction to an otherwise very average piece. Actually, this feature is so good, you can forget that difficult decision of whether to use an Angel or the Star of Bethlehem this year. Place this weird thing on the apex of your tree, instead. You won’t regret it but other people might look at you funny.  You’re probably accustomed to that happening, anyway, right?

I know the Wolf Predator may be the popular choice among many fans but to me, the Predalien is the big highlight in an otherwise dreadful movie, ALIENS vs PREDATOR: Requiem. It’s kind of appropriate then, that this bootleg action figure is as lurid, brash and bold as the character it is intended to represent. This is one ugly motherf*cker – in so many ways – and it all strangely works to its benefit. I’m all for celebrating alternate and unusual interpretations of popular culture identities and icons. Even if it straddles the very border of what’s generally considered acceptable, like this thing.

This is one item you have to treat as some kind of weird wtf? joke; coz then it delivers in spades.

SCORE: 9/10

Questionable at best.  Outlandish in the extreme. Absolutely hilarious in execution.  It’s FANTASTIC!  (but for all the wrong reasons.).  It’s a great conversation piece (again, for all the wrong reasons.) and definitely worth adding to your collection.

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