Xero’s Heros and Zeros : Villains

“There must be something your little heart desires.”

“Now take the apple dearie, and make a wish”

“ Fine! Fine! Now, take a bite!..”

What happens next is known to all. Deeply woven into our culture and rooted into our subconscious, the legend is part of us. All of us. If you are reading this article then odds are Snow White and fairy tales like hers are very dear to you. We know them all. Ariel. Jasmine. Belle. We love them all. Cinderella. Aurora. Mulan.  The Princesses are what  our little girls want to be. Mickey. Mowgli. Pinocchio. Peter Pan. Are the heros we pretended to be as a child. Their little friends have often made us laugh. You know who I am talking about. Flounder. Dopey. Genie. Meeko.  Maybe even cry. Bambi. Dumbo. Need I say more?

I am sure that we have witnessed our children playing out a scene or two from all of these stories. How could you forget the first time your daughter dressed up in a Princess costume. Your heart melted right in front of her. She was the cutest thing that you had ever seen. Ever.

And for any Father that has played Pirates with his son. This time you are Captain Hook. You try to battle your best, but in the end your boy will get the best of the Ole Codfish.

But there was always one scene in each movie that made us sink deep into our seats. Some of us would cover our eyes. Trying to muster up enough courage to peek out between a finger or two. You know what I am talking about. Who could forget the pit that you felt in your stomach when Shan Yu and the Huns came streaming down the mountain side. I still get chills thinking about that visual. Or the look on Mufasa’s face when pleading for his life. What would his brother do? Scar, you are pure evil. These scenes were all made memorable by the villain. A great villain is a character that does not always have to be seen to be felt. He or she has an everpresent aura. One that you can not escape. Yes, the villain is what can make a movie tick. Every movie. Heck. Every TV show has one. Even Seinfeid had a villain.

NNNNNNNNNNEWMAN.

 

Disney decided to pay tribute to 12 of these villains. The Disney Vinylmation Villain set has been out for some time, but this Friday there are making their D-Street Debut. So I figured that this set deserves a bit of my critique. No one is safe from Xero. Does that make me a villain too?

Haha. I am Evil King Xero.

 

Zero #1

Stromboli

In a thick Italian accent you can hear this villain egg on Pinocchio. Pinocchio is a puppet and the evil puppet master has him locked up. Seemingly for good. But it seems as if a twist of fate has led the Blue Fairy into our little review. She tells me in a sweet little voice that this design falls a bit short of the mark. Look at his ears. There is nothing creative on them. All I see is red. As a result of this lask of creativity, the Blue Fairy locks Stromboli in a birdacage of his own. She tells him that he can come out when he does something interesting with his MIckey Ears. Funny thing is that Stromboli didn’t even know he had Mickey Ears.

 

Zero #2

Prince John

Well it looks like Prince John was able to get his thumb out of his mouth long enough for the artist  to come up with this design. But I feel that the essence of the character is lost in this translation. All that being said. Or written. That is not the real reason he lands on my zero list. Take a look at the Ears. You see that? Nothing. Nothing but brown. You gotta do better than that to impress me. Prince John. King Xero has imposed that the maximum tax be place on those vinyls with plain Micky Ears

 

Zero #3

The Old Hag

Serious? You going to put the Old Hag on your Zero list. How could you? After all, you quoted her to start the article. I know. I know. But take a look at her. A long hard look. It may be difficult to do, but if you look closely enough. And if you have been paying attention here, you will know what I am talking about. The Ears? You ask. Yep. You got it. Those Mickey ears are as plain as they can be. Jet black. Sorry Old gal but there is no kiss for you at the end of this story unless you change your look. Fix those Ears.

Overall I really like all of the designs in the Villain series. It was tough to find three. But looking at them all, these we the only three to have no use of the Mickey Ears.That is what landed them on my Zero List. You never know what the Evil Xero will decided. You never know what he is looking for. This time it was the ears. What will is be next time? Maybe the buttons. Nah. The buttons are safe. I love the buttons.

Now on to the Villains Heros. Is that possible? Hero Villains?

 

Hero #1

Peg Leg Pete.

Funny thing about this figure is that I know nothing about this character at all. I am a modern movie Disney fan. So some of the classic cartoons are lost on me. But I do have to say that this is one cool looking vinyl villian. I love the use of black and white for this design. But I guess that is how the short was shot. Duh. Anyways. After seeing this vinyl I looked up Peg Leg Pete. I still don’t know to much of the character, but it is a nice looking vinyl. Not to mention the creative use of buttonrey. This vinyl makes my list soley on the fact that it is the only Black and White vinyl that has been produced. Right?

 

Hero #2

Kaa.

Another villain that I do not know too much about. But this design is outstanding. I could make some generic hissing sound, but I won’t. I will just complement the use of the Mickey form. It is excecuted perfectly here. So good in fact that you don’t even see the Mickey form. Genius. Almost as if I am not in control of my own mind. What a minute. Snap out of it. Back to the review. It almost looks as if the art extends beyond the intended canvas. I. Need. To. Stop. Looking. Into. Those. Eyes. Ok. I am good again. If you can stay away from the eyes, you may notice that the buttons and nose do not destract from the final desing at all. Oops. Did I just type that. Better move on.

 

 

Hero #3

Ursula.

The Sea Witch. What can I say. Shes got it all. She has her  looks! Her pretty face! And don’t  underestimate the importance of body language! Ha. And it all fits quit nicely on a 3” Mickey shape. Oh, and there is one more thing. We haven’t discussed the subject of payment. You can’t get something for nothing, you know. I’m not asking much. Just a token, really, a trifle. Well about $9.95. That’s a whole lot easier to give up than your voice!

So Ursula finds her way onto my second Hero list. I must ask myself why. You know what. I actually think that I am a tad bit frightened fo her. I would never take a chance and make The Sea Witch upset at me. I am sure that after Ariel and Eric got the best of her, she is looking for some revenge. These type of ladies do not stay down for long. I will do everything in my power to prevent myself from being one fo those poor unfortunate souls

Until next time.

The Evil King Xero signing off.