THE MATRIX ACTION FIGURE SET (WB Toys)

By: Dan Cziraky
Date: Monday, May 28, 2001

The hit sci-fi film of Summer '99 seemed like a natural for action figures. Warner Bros. partnered with N2 Toys to make their own line of figures. These 6-inch scale figures are highly detailed, with lots of accessories. The likenesses range from very good to so-so, but are a lot better than some recent lines I could think of (The Lost World: Jurassic Park coming immediately to mind!). There are six figures in the first wave of figures.

*Neo: Keanu Reeves as hero Thomas A. Anderson, The Chosen One. Very good likeness to Reeves, with nine points of articulation, very cool, windswept coat, two pistols and two automatics.

*Morpheus: Second-coolest action figure I've seen after McFarlane's Shaft! Laurence Fishburne towers over the rest of the figures in the line, so they are in proper proportions to one another. Again, a very good likeness on the head sculpt, with nine points of articulation. Morpheus comes with an Uzi and shotgun accessories.

*Trinity: The oh-so-hot Carrie-Anne Moss has her shades, two pistols, a knife and a rifle. I like a woman who's well armed! She's got five points of articulation, too. The likeness is close, but a little rough.

*Agent Smith: Yes, Hugo Weaving's villain makes a great action figure, too. He's got seven points of articulation, a pistol, rifle, and knife. The likeness could be just a tad better, however.

*Cypher: Wow, who ever thought we'd see a Joe Pantoliano action figure? Cypher/Mr. Reagan has six points of articulation, a pistol, and that big, honking futuristic weapon from the film. The likeness is just astounding, especially when you consider the figure's wearing sunglasses (but then, they all are!).


*Switch: Belinda McClory's rebel looks great in her all-white outfit. She has seven points of articulation, a rifle and two pistols. Like Trinity, the likeness is a bit rough, but she's still recognizable.