Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Thoughts on the Hunger Games Dolls by Mattel

As an avid doll collector and huge fan of The Hunger Games, you can’t imagine my level of excitement when Mattel released a Katniss Everdeen Collector Barbie. To my disappointment, Katniss was the only character to be reimagined in doll form from the first installment. Nevertheless, I was very excited to get this doll and she is now a great addition in my collection. I really like how they dressed her in her arena attire, including the iconic Mockingjay pin. This was the most logical outfit to dress her in, considering the whole movie is about Katniss’ journey into the Hunger Games. The only criticism I have about this doll is the fact that she looks nothing like Jennifer Lawrence. She looks like any normal Barbie decided to go as Katniss for Halloween. Other than that, I think she’s a wonderful collector’s item.


I’m incredibly grateful that Mattel decided to make more dolls for Catching Fire. With this round, they released another Katniss, Peeta Mellark, Effie Trinket, and FInnick Odair. One huge improvement with this set is that Katniss actually looks like Jennifer Lawrence this time around. I think this is a very interesting set. I was excited to finally have a Peeta, and following the trend started by the first Katniss doll, he and Katniss are sporting their arena wetsuits. They look great and they display very nicely next to each other. The doll I was most excited for was Effie. If any character was deserving of a doll, it’s Effie. Despite my excitement, she’s the one I have the most problems with. For one thing, she’s the only doll in the line with no articulation. This is frustrating to someone like me who likes to take pictures of my dolls in different poses. The only reason I can think for this choice is because Effie is basically Capitol Barbie. She’s always in heels, wears extravagant fashions, and is always cheery. This Effie doll has the classic rubber legs with bend and snap knees with a face that looks nothing like Elizabeth Banks and just like a simple fashion Barbie. I’m also not very happy with the outfit choice. I do love the outfit she’s in (the cast has dubbed this particular outfit as “gorilla arms”), but there are other Effie outfits that I like a whole lot more. I wish she would’ve been dressed in the butterfly dress from the Reaping scene. I may have my problems with her, but I’m still very happy to have her. The last doll in this set is Finnick. I love Finnick, don’t get me wrong, but I thought this was kind of an off choice. Since they made an Effie, I would’ve hoped Haymitch would be included as well. That wasn’t the case. I want a Haymitch doll badly, but I don’t think an official one will be made. Instead of just making Finnick, a whole set of the tribute alliance would’ve been great, but I’m still happy with what they did make. These are my favorite dolls in the collection.


They did not make a set of dolls for Mockingjay: Part 1, but did for Mockingjay: Part 2. This makes sense, there’s three books so three versions of Katniss is more than appropriate. This set includes Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. It’s interesting that they waiting until the last movie to introduce the love triangle together. These dolls look fantastic and are relatively screen-accurate. They’re a great addition to the collection.  


Though I’m very happy that these dolls are articulated, except for poor Effie, part of me wishes that they would’ve waited to make these. Now that the Made To Move Barbies are out, I see a lot of wasted potential. I did a little test to see if the Made To Move Barbie could hold Katniss’ bow the proper way and it turns out she can. It’s pretty sad when Katniss Everdeen can’t even hold her bow properly and a random Barbie can. I know the Hunger Games dolls were created with the intent that they stay in their boxes, since they are Black Label Collector dolls, but I have never been one to keep a doll in its box. 

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