Here at The Film Pub, we discuss more than just films. We dive into pop culture at large. TV shows, video games, and any other entertainment related topic will have their time in the spotlight. Yes, dear reader, even products that are highly questionable in their contribution to society. Case and point: Funko Pops. If you've been into a local video store in the veins of FYE or pass by the physical media sections of Walmart, Target, etc., chances are you've probably seen these products in stock. And most likely quite an abundance of stock.
Hopefully this video on YouTube will give you a better idea visually what these products are. I like going to local places such as Video Game World around where I live to access some vintage physical media, namely PS1, PS2 and PS3 games. There are rows and aisles of these Funko Pops within the store. These items are around literally everywhere I go to shop and I for the life of me don't see the appeal of these things, none whatsoever. My biggest problem with Funko Pops comes down to their derivative design.
It doesn't matter the variety of characters you see represented from all walks of life in these Funko Pops. I don't care if I see sports figures or Disney characters or whoever else is on sale. At its basic core, almost every single Funko Pops figure looks exactly the same. The same soulless black eyes, even for characters whose eye color is blue. The same expression on most figures, specifically a discontented and pissed off facial expression. Your own creation from a Build-A-Bear workshop would have more inspiration and creativity by comparison.
Here's the closest I would get to even remotely consider buying a Funko Pops figure or set. There's a set with Elliott and E.T. from "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982) riding in silhouette alongside the moon, aka the film's most iconic shot. One look at the sealed box and I can tell there was actual effort put into designing this set. Elliott has a joyous expression on his face. Yes, it's just his eyes, but still giving credit where it's due. There's also a background with the moon and the trees. It feels like something that's worth spending money on.
Then you have these sports legends ranging from LeBron James to NFL quarterbacks to Tiger Woods. If you didn't tell me who these specific people were beforehand, I would be hard pressed to tell the difference between anyone of them. That is how generic, bland and cookie cutter the design on the sports related Funko Pops are. They're unquestionably the worst made Funko Pops I've personally seen in my travels. However, I wouldn't be surprised if there was something even worse lurking around out elsewhere.
I'm not surprised that these collectibles were manufactured off assembly lines in China and Vietnam. That would explain the uninspired cookie cutter design I'm used to seeing on 95% of them. Although the products range in price from $10 to more than $100, it doesn't matter what the price tag on any given figurine is. The money can easily be put to better use on other higher quality collectibles. A personal example for me would have to be the miniature "Final Fantasy VII" polygon figurines, such as the ones you see pictured below.
Now here's a commodity I'm glad I indulged myself in. They're true to the original source material in a way that's visually appealing. They accurately represent the character's distinct features. Granted, I now have to hide these figurines in plain sight, because my cat Oreo can climb up my dresser no problem. They still have solid value based on the execution alone that I'm happy to take good care of them even in some form of storage. I've never bought a single Funko Pops collectible, and I can confidently say that I don't plan to anytime soon.
For me, Funko Pops are the kind of commodities that are just going to sit around and collect dust. I understand the appeal of collecting your favorite characters in some physical form. My mom and her boyfriend are big on collecting Lego Star Wars sets, small and huge. But when the collectibles in question are as lazily put together as they are with those by Funko Pops, one can't help but wonder if these are really as necessary as we want them to be.
While we're on the subject of figurines or anything of that sort, a special shout out to Emory Roper for their generous birthday gift shown below.
I promise to take good care of mini Oreo, even if Oreo herself is treating her mini self like the other wand toys at her disposal. I suppose it would help to inform Oreo that this is her extra cat life. We'll see.
Commentaires