Commando Force

Commando Force

Lanard have always been the underdog in the 3 3/4" Military Action Figure War. The last time they released a new mold was in 1998 with 3 additions to their Corps line, and before that was the vastly different Biowing Line in 1995. Lanard have usually relied on imaginative repaints of their recycled molds, some of which have worked incredibly well (and which Hasbro needs to pay attention to).
Lanard have gone back to the drawing board, and have taken a note out of Hasbro's new line, and combined their 2 toy lines which are currently targeting 2 audiences. The first line is "The Corps!", their flagship and premium line aimed at a more mature age group, and the 2nd is their more recent "Soldier Force"-style line with limited articulation figures, out-of-scale weapons, and a younger target audience. (see opposite)
What we are left with is a line with the articulation of the Wave 1 GIJOEvsCobra Line, e.g. no O-rings, but figures which are much more detailed. The Good things.... 1. The level of detail in the uniform and faces is superior to the previous Corps! figures, and to the new Hasbro GIJOE line. 2. The paint work is realistic and gritty with a hard edge. 3. The sculpts have more personality. 4. The new modern weapon sculpts, which are detailed, and plentiful. 5. The figures can stand easily. 6. Well articulated figures with trigger finger sculpting. Despite haveing no-O-ring the swivel- waist is well hidden. The Bad things.... 1. The figures are very bulky and even more out of scale with the Joe line, even more than the bigger chests of the Corps! 2. No O-ring, Hasbro have learned their lesson that No O-ring= No Sale!, Lanard may need to re-invest again. 3. Some of the weapons are out of scale. 4. no backpacks! despite package art! 5. The flexi-plastic that all toy companies favour brings the same problems, the hands ALWAYS have difficulty holding weapons. So overall, these figures do stand out and grab you from the toy shelf, and their weapons are well suited to re-arming Joes, but I don't think that I will ever integrate this line into my collection, and may end with piles of loose figures, and spare parts, as I'll just be buying the weapons!