Iron Man 2 Movie War Machine Reviewed

One of the most anticipated events in the upcoming Iron Man 2 movie is the debut of none other than War Machine! Teased towards the end of the 1st movie, War Machine will finally be donned by Rhodey and wreck havoc onscreen!

So of course, the movie War Machine figure without a doubt, was a figure I looked forward to since the announcement of the Iron Man 2 line. The pics we saw from Toy Fair only increased my impatience. It is different from the comic design, but not so much that it looks like a drastic departure. In fact it looks like how a movie version should look like. It is bulkier, and looks like a armed to the teeth variant of the mkIII armor from the 1st movie.

The trailer only left me wanting the figure more, so imagine my shock at seeing this thing on a store shelf. Without any hesitation, I set up some lights and immediately took pics. How did the movie version of War Machine turn out? Read on...

Movie War Machine comes with the following accessories/weapons:

• Stand
• Armor cards x 3(2 clear, 1 paper)
• cannon
• missle launcher(resembles a cannon)
• ammunition belt
• gray missle
• red missle

The armor cards fit onto the stand, and you can swap these with cards from other figures to see how different combinations of armor would look. I like how 2 of the cards are made out of clear plastic, it looks neat. These cards will appeal more to kids, as for us collectors, they are are just neat decorations for the stands. If you are a customizer, you might like these cards as they can give you an idea of how different armors would work together.

Speaking of collectors, I doubt most of you will be using the missles. They look huge and obtrusive. I personally prefer to leave them off. The ammo belt can be attached to either gun, and plugs into the back. However, the connections are loose, and I prefer to leave mine off(I hate the possibility of losing stuff). I wish the connections were more secure and snug, as the ammo belt makes War Machine looked more menacing.

The movie War Machine is molded in black and dark gray, which makes this figure significantly darker than the comic version. The shoulder pads are semi-translucent but this isn't noticeable until shown next to light.

The sculpt is very detailed with many intricate panel lines molded all throughout. The hip ball joints are hidden particularly well, with the swivels integrated into the sculpt very well. They appear so subtle that at first, it was hard to tell where the legs swiveled at all. Very cool.

There are only a few things I don't like about this figure. The arms seem a bit short, and the neck articulation is hindered by the sculpt of the upper torso.

The shoulder pads are like the comic version; both are connected to the torso as moving hinges instead of being molded as part of the arms; or as separate pads attached to the arms, like on the mkII/III armors. Having bought the mkII earlier, I definitely think the torso connection route was the way to go, as the pads are quite secure and not very prone to popping off during arm movement, unlike the mkII/III. The pads provide a minor hindrance to arm articulation on War Machine but not very much.

2 movable hinges are placed on the back, for the cannons. Both stay into place well, however the left side is less secure. For example, when swiveled all the way forward, it will stay forward but is a little loose.

It is with the cannons equipped that War Machine lives up to his name. As stated earlier, the ammo belt adds to the look, but does not fit very securely at all on the figure. The ammo belt on my figure fell off several times during the photo shoot.

Remember how I mentioned that the left back hinge for the guns was looser than the other? The wide ball socket for the big missle launcher cannon doesn't help either. The missle launcher is looser than the smaller cannon. It isn't loose enough to fall off completely on it's own, or swivel downwards under it's own weight. However it is noticeably loose. If you shake the figure around, the missle launcher will swivel on it's own.

Articulation for the cannons isn't very restrictive at all, the ball joints on the hinges provide good range of motion. The cannons can be displayed stowed behind War Machine, aimed upwards, or to the front(and swiveled on the ball joints in any direction).

The arms also feature molded guns sculpted on, giving War Machine short range weapons in addition to his long range cannons.

The movie War Machine figure features many sculpted details. Be it the arc light reactor(which is sculpted somewhat deep into the chest sculpt, enhancing the sense of depth, rather than just being shallowly carved onto the surface of the chest armor), repulsors, and more. Details are not limited to sculpt however.

The figure also features printed details, such as designation and USAF markings.

For the most part, movie War Machine has excellent mobility and range of motion, with just a little hindrances here and there. It features the same amount of articulation and the same joints as comic War Machine, however I found movie War Machine to have a bit more range of motion, and easier to pose. For a figure with somewhat bulky armor, movie War Machine can pose just as well as many of the skinnier armors in the line.

Undoubtedly some of you are wondering how movie War Machine stacks up against the comic version. The comic version has cannons which aren't as loose, and cannon mount/back hinges that are more secure. The movie version moves a little bit better, but both have the same points of articulation.

The comic version IMHO has more realistic proportions. Both have dark paint schemes however the paint applications are much better on then movie version than the comic version. The comic version features inconsistent attempts at weathering which make the paint apps look messy, where as the movie version has much cleaner paint apps.

Both figures are definitely worth picking up and one does not completely outdo the other. So it's hard to pick one over the other, rather, I suggest buying both.

Out of all the movie version armors I have had a chance to handle so far, War Machine is one of the, if not thee, best movie armor so far. Sure it's a movie armor but it looks like something Rhodey could don in the comics. It isn't a big departure from established designs; for example, it is much more recognizable than the X-Men movie costumes, Transformers movie designs, and Storm Shadow's costume from Rise of Cobra. This design has much more crossover potential, and I think even non-movie fans will get a kick out of this figure.

I give it an 8/10. It's sure to be one of the most sought after figures in the Iron Man 2 line, and rightfully so; it looks, and poses great! Highly recommended and one of the best figures in the Iron Man 2 line so far.

Wowza, having picked up the comic series WM I am now desperate to get the movie version. Great review.

Definitely getting the movie version to go with my comic one, though I will definitely leave off the spring-loaded missile and just use the launcher as a BFC.

In fact, that's really my only knock against it - well, at least until I have him in hand. I will refrain from rating him until then.

I'm definitely getting 2 of these its one of the figures Ive been looking forward to the most!

oh and if there's the issue of the guns being loose on the ball socket hinges I know a couple ways to tighten them up...once I have mine Ill see it I have the same issue

I think the huge launcher ko's the movie version IMO. I like the comic version for the fact the guns look right. That oversized launcher is really distracting. I think if they had offered another gun to sub for it the figure would be great. It's just good with that flaw. On the plus side it is removeable but you still have that big arsed peg there. I am avoiding the movie fig, I got the Comic one and I absoultly love it. Its enough IMO.

First of all thanks to Shin Densetsu for another great review.

I actually was lucky enough to find this figure today (already own the comic version as well).

I think I may have found that this figure has a variant! There are apparently two versions of movie War Machine - blue eye and red eye! Check the pics below out... I bought both. Both were labeled as figure #12.

DAMN!! I was planning on getting two to begin with but variants now I absolutely must!! maybe a double of each

I just picked up the mark 1 and 2 and Hypervelocity armors, so now I only need the deepdive armor to complete wave 1 of the basics...cant wait for the figures full release.

Deep Dive is actually decent, I wasn't expecting to like it but I do. Same with Iron Monger.

I would say that wave 2 is better, but it isn't; the Suitcase armor/Mark V didn't turn out as good as I thought it would. Movie series War Machine and Mark VI are the big draws in that wave. Movie War Machine is great and definitely one of the best figures in the line so far.

yeah Ive seen 2 deepdive armors in the past 2 weeks but the paint had some defects..I'm kinda a perfectionist when it comes to that and tight joints so I'm being patient since the official release is this coming week. and Ill get it then. I agree that these figures are really surprising like iron monger their really well designed and the joints are excellent great posing and really tight...

I cant wait for the warmachines gonna get both color variants and the recently revealed unmasked one which the head sculpt is dead on and especially for that normal missile pod lol might swap it on the regular figures if its possible lol

there is a way to tighten the ball socket joint that they attach with Ive used it on other figures that had loose joints or older ones that over the years got loose you can use an apoxy like locktight (this is the glue that I always use its super strong and very durable) and it makes a tighter hold in the socket here's a link to a repair tutorial that explains what I mean...

I have used this on transformers and other figures works great!!

Fixes for Transformers Animated Figures!

Ah MAN! Thanks for the review Shin!!!! I'm heading to the closest TRU today, everyone cross their fingers that I find this, or anything else!!!

I just can't avoid my desire to buy this line any longer.

You're welcome! If you guys can't find movie series War Machine at TRU, Target, et al, check Kmart. It's $8.99 there but Kmart was the only store that I saw wave 2 at. War Machine is the highlight of the wave. Other standouts include the Mark VI's.

so far Ive only seen the toys at Toys R US I gotta say Ive given up on K Marts the ones by me never get anything new it lol I might check it out by chance since its right next to my target lol

Might as well man! They have been a good spot to get new stuff lately, be it Transformers or Iron Man. Towards the end of last year, I was able to score the wave 5 Rise of Cobra figures before I found them anywhere else(specifically Resolute City Strike Snake Eyes).

Looks Mighty good! Hitting stores Monday (the official release day) and ima try to scope him out! I havent gotten ANY IM2 figures yet (sadly) but im excited to give these a try ~ is this a good one to start with??

I picked up the Iron Man Mk. I from the comic series. I almost got the Mk. II from the movie line but I'll save it for next trip. No War Machines whatsoever, neither comic nor movie. It's okay. I really wanted the Mk. I anyway and these will be in full force soon.

Oddly enough I went to second Kmart and they had them in Case boxes (Comic series & Movie Series) but they told me they couldn't sell them to me until Monday, March 1rst. I went back to the Kmart I bought the comic series at to see if they restocked and wallah, there was the movie series on the racks. I picked up the entire lot plus extra of each type of War machine so I could swap heads and have a version 1.5 or whatever. I love the "Suitcase" armor Silver Centurion. It is my favorite so far and oddly enough is the spitting image of the red Venom vs. Valor cyber ninjas (the Night Creepers) that came with the Hiss Tank a few years back. Having recently picked up the Extremis armor Iron Man from the MU series I did a side by side and quite honestly, for as much as I was looking forward to the Extremis armor the Iron Man line kicks it's @ss all over the court. I would like to shake the hands of the Iron Man II Hasbro line team (and kick the XMO: Wolverine line team in the nads, cuz IM2 is THE WAY movie lines NEED to be done).

think Ill be hitting up my toysrus first thing tomorrow to get the pick of the litter lol...I want those warmachines so bad!!!

I totally agree with you at first I loved the extermis MU figure but after starting to get the Iron man 2 figures it doesn't hold a candle to them I mean the detail realisticness in proportions, the articulation, everything is superior so now I'm definitely going to be passing the extermis and the only mu figure Ill be after will be Thor which I think is the best out of that MU wave....bring on the Iron Man 2 figures!!!!

I do think that it's cool that Extremis was in the MU line rather than IM2, saves a space for another armor.

BRING ON MODULAR armor! Anyone else find movie series War Machine this weekend?

I agree I think they could've done a better job on extermis if it was in the movie line...I haven't seen the movie warmachines yet Ill search more this week. and the only comic figure I haven't seen was warmachine too lol I know these will be the prize picks of the lines...but I'm sure they wont be too hard to track down once the wave is securely established.

another thing with the extermis I think it would have looked allot better with the Iron man 2 articulation as well I hate the hip joints makes it look like it has thunder thighs lol

Yes! Modular Armor would be awesome. I'm ready for a true Silver Centurion more than anything though.

I'm hoping I can find that War Machine ... I plan on heading to my TRU relatively soon again, at least to get the other wave 1 stuff I want.

Oh Silver Centurion is the one I want the most from the upcoming comic waves so far! Silver, Hulkbuster, and modern armor. Arctic armor isn't bad either.

It will be WEIRD if Hasbro doens't make a modular armor and Mandarin in this line. Mandarin is arguably Iron Man's greatest foe, and modular armor is like tiger stripe Wolverine; the one most fans from the 90's recognize. Doesn't hurt that it looked cool and had modular weaponry either.

Is Silver Centurion confirmed for sure, and if so is there are pic of it yet? It's my favorite armor next to the old school Mk. I.

There's a lot of room for Mandarin and his different looks too.

And I'll stick behind Modular, it's probably the coolest looking of the typical red/gold affair.

Yes. Modular looks AWESOME, one of the suits I liked a lot because the mouth-less helmet looked awesome.

I picked up the movie War Machine last night, they had a ton at my local Wal Mart. I usually can't stand the movie versions of these characters but I have to admit I'm EXTREMELY IMPRESSED!!! This figure is amazing! I went and picked up the comic version and Crimson Dynamo this morning. I am loving this line! Nice work, Hasbro!!!

Thanks for the pic, Shin. I don't know how I missed that, but that figure looks damn fantastic.

I have to say, in response to glass67, that I've been waiting for a 3.75 inch movie Iron Man since MU came out... The movie aesthetics are just great.

I haven't seen the modular figure if that's the one in the suitcase? whats it look like anyone have any pics?

No it isn't, don't get your hopes up man, me and my friend saw it at Kmart last week and we were VASTLY UNDERWHELMED when we saw what it was. It's also called the Mark V suit.

Basically, it's a slim red and silver suit, and the suitcase is a missle launcher which fires 2 missles. So..I didn't buy it and don't intend to. A bunch of us though that the suitcase would hold modular armor for Iron Man to put on but no. It's the most underwhelming armor I've seen so far. It's in movie series wave 2.

The comic modular armor has not been announced yet and quite honestly, I'd find it weird if we didn't get one. That has to be one of the most popular armors next to the classic armor.

Here are pics of the Modular Armor:

Toy Biz version from years ago (Marvel Face-Off, with Mandarin)


Modular armor in comic form




I found a great site that helps me keep track of all of Tony's armors here:

http://www.ironmanarmory.com/

Found the Comic Series War Machine at Target a few minutes ago

Man, this line is just MADE of WIN.

Dammit! i cant find anything for the last month.

I found some stuff here but I had everything already. I need the damn movie War Machine.

Kmart and Walmart seem to be the best bets, those are the only stores I've seen wave 2 at.

Same here.

Tell you what Cluster, since the lines officially were released on March 2 see if you can find him. If you can't in a week or so let me know and I'll send you out one of the extras I bought.

Thanks for the offer Boombatty! I got lucky and found him today. I guess I missed him at Kmart but I found him at Toys R Us.

Great to hear that movie War Machine is now at TRU.

just found both war machines one at a kmart and the other at walmart amazing figures and yeah that missile launcher gun is loose I'm just gonna leave it off cause I plan on getting the unmasked version with the missile pod...and on a strange note I got a mark IV figure and when I opened it it has 2 right hands so now I gotta go get a replacement hand good thing they had a ton of them but man that annoyed me!!

Found the movie War Machine at K Mart today. I must say, to echo everyone's response in my own words, this figure is THE SHIT. Slowly but surely I'm working my way to the Mark VI... That figure looks awesome.

yup war machines the best by far I just need the missile pod from the unmasked version

I'm gonna pick up a extra one of the two variants tomorrow this figures too sweet not to.

Ah damn man, I hate it when there are duplicate joints.

Movie series War Machine is a definite winner. One of the best figures in the line so far(and it just started!).

I'm surprised at the quality of the movie line thus far. I figured it would be really cool, but not at the same level that is actually is. Even my friends who are only passing toy enthusiasts recognize how awesome the IM2 figures are. A friend of mine saw my War Machine and promptly headed out to get one himself.

yeah they surpass all my expectations everything is there from articulation, to detail. Ive been telling my friend in Puerto Rica about them hes a fan too but hasn't seen the figures in stores there...but I know hes gonna be hooked on them like I am. I still cant believe how superior they are to the mu iron man figures in detail and articulation way more realistic...I wanted the extermis before I starting getting the movie figures but now I'm not touching it..it doesn't compare to them...which is a shame cause the extermis is a great design...here's hoping they may do it in the movie branch off comic series...I'm dying to get my hands on the hulkbuster that's the one comic figure I want!!

Is the blue the variant? all i can find is the movie series war machine with blue eyes. at least 6 so far. as for the canon the trailer showed one gun thats what i'm going qwith until i can find a missile launcher that works. i like the look of the movie one but it started with the comic book armor and thats where my first love of war machine will stay for now...

its hard to say I don't think its a limited run since if you look at all the promo pics of the toy its the blue version I think its something to do with the movie that there's the red and blue figures also in the fact that there are more differences then just the blue glow color...in Florida Ive seen allot of red ones at my walmart they have like 10 Ive seen about 4 blue ones at my kmart so far.

And I agree the figures missing that missile pod and I look forward to the release of the unmasked figure so I can correct that lol.

I think once the full release of the line hits will see more of both. and then there's that Kmart exclusive 3 pack with a war machine paint variant...its hard to see good detail but you can see there are obvious paint changes. which you can see in this pic.

I believe so, because the 1st ones sighted had red eyes, and that's the one I saw 1st too.

Thanks for the review, Shin, I finally found the Movie War Machine at KMart today. So far, I'm pretty impressed with him, the looseness I can fix, and I am really liking Movie War Machine more than I thought. Great figure.

Last night i stood in wal-mart with a movie version and comic version WM and stared at them both for atleast 5 minutes trying to decide which to buy or both. I ended up getting the comic version, it just stood out more to me. Now the 2nd time passing on the movie version, kinda regretting it. Hope i find it again cuz im really wanting it to espicially after reading this review and these comments.

The wait is getting harder and harder for the MK VI and Warmachine.
Damn you target, release the armory stands already!

the restocking issues are getting frustrating for me as well Ive found all the figures but still need a 2nd blue variant war machine...my toysrus just got restocked and I picked up an inferno armor and mark V they had the red version war machines but I already have 2 one open and one backup. but the other stores like walmart, target, and kmart are just taking forever to restock...haven't seen anything new there since the initial release..

I'm being patient but I just need that figure for the first 2 waves other then that there's the hulkbuster and unmasked war machine (for the missile pod) that I need that's known to be coming out....I'm still hopeful they'll make the hammer and military armor drones....but still no pics of these with the exceptions of the minimates.

Just wanted to add my favorable opinion of this toy.

the attention to detail is amazing. I love the text and other army decals. The guns are nice. I'm definietely going to get the blue version, the unmasked version and the Vibranium armor that comes with the Kmart 3-pack. It's just that good.

The level of detail and paint apps are superior on the movie series version. The paint apps on the comic series version are the worst part about it, unfortunately, it looks like an attempt at weathering that was unsuccessful. You'll see later this week. Range of motion, and detail is actually better on the movie version.

I suspect that for most fans, it will all boil down to what you want more, a comic War Machine, or movie version. If you have the cash, I say get both. I paid $8.99+tax at Kmart for my movie version and have no regrets. It's a great figure and I did not want to hunt for him after the movie premieres and the figure undoubtedly sells out anywhere. It doesn't hurt that I liked the design since 1st sight in the trailer, and am a War Machine fan to begin with.

Speaking of which, I forgot about those. Wonder if they will be superior with regards to paint apps, definitely want those interlocking cases!

From pictures, I think the only difference is the stands. The figures look to be the same. I just want the helmetless Mark VI to come out, since it has superior paint to the regular Mark VI.

I want the unmasked mark VI to Id pop the head off and put the helmet one on it lol...I want the full release already the war machine variant is frustrating to find lol...and I agree the detail of the movie figures are amazing I have both the comic war machine and the movie version and there's no comparison the comic one is just sucky compared to it...

I have to say the only decent comic figure with detail that is coming out is the hulkbuster the others are just so simple their boring compared to the movie line...I really wanna get that kmart 3pack the set looks great...I gotta say I really like the 3.75" line only thing I hate is how slow their getting into stores lol

Those are actually Air Force decals, not Army.

While I do agree that the paint apps on the movie version are superior in every way (love the AF markers) and it has better articulation, I still prefer the comic version. For me, it really comes down to the shoulder weapons. The movie's "missile launching gatling gun" is ridiculous on so many levels, it's laughable. I don't even keep it on mine.

I'm a huge War Machine fan, too, so ultimately I'm just happy for all the attention he's getting. Especially that he has two molds that are not just gray redecos of Iron Man armors.

And I agree if you have the cash, get both. Wal-Mart's currently got all of the single pack figures for $6.96 each (regular $8.44), so I would try there first. But even at $9 each, they're both still worth it.

I've found a third version of this figure.

It's one with blue eyes and a blue arc reactor, but it does not have any white text printed anywhere on him. Also he looks as if he has a "brushed metal" type of wash over him.

I saw 3 of these at a Walmart location and 1 which I bought from TRU.

I believe that this could have been the first version that Hasbro released based on the pre-production photo shown on the back of the package. Maybe Marvel sent Hasbro an early shot of War-Machine before the special effects coloring was added. Maybe at this point War-Machine was only shown to have white eyes, so Hasbro went with blue based on seeing what Iron Man and Iron Monger looked like in the first movie.

The same might be true as far as the missing text is concerned. Maybe the first image of War-Machine that was sent to Hasbro by Marvel didn't include the text and numbers on his body. Who knows?

In any case there are now 3 versions of this figure going around.

If someone sees a War-Machine with red eyes and a red arc reactor, but doesn't have text please let us know.

Oh by the way before someone posts the lame saying of "without pics this thread is useless" I just wanted to say that I'm at work right now so I can't take or post any pics.

Its so much better than the Comic WM its ridiculous, that toy is a brick.

If that's your idea of a brick, I don't know how your house is still standing.

True, Comic IM may not have the articulation of his Movie counterpart, but he is by no means a brick. He's even got more articulation than most of the DCIH line.

Comic War Machine is far from a brick, he has excellent articulation. He just has more limited elbow and ab movement than the movie series version. Honestly, the comic one is the better of the 2(both however, are great figures and must haves from the line).

I completely agree. That's why I can't understand how someone else could say he's a brick. He's nowhere close. And I should know: I grew up with G1 Transformers

I've been wondering for quite some time now, does the unmasked Iron Man and War Machine come with a removable helmet?

We aren't sure yet. I hope they do.

i doubt that they will, just looking at the pics the helmets would be huge on the figures.

They might have swappable masked and unmasked heads, at least I hope so. After looking closer at the images, unfortunately it looks like the Mark VI unmasked figure uses the Power Glow Mark VI body, the one with very limited shoulder movement.

swappable heads would be awesome, i'd be forced to combine them though....removable faceplate goodness...