Ah the wonderous AI of Halo. Cortana is a great character. McFarlane Toys has again brought her to life, so to speak, with another action figure. Here is a compilation pic and a review of the toy.

Okay, first I’ll state that I got mine from Gamestop, that’s why it’s in the slender packaging. I’m not sure about the included Master Chief micro ops figure being included with the larger card, so check that.

I think it is very cool that we get that micro Chief. It’s a little funny too as normally Chief is the big fig while Cortana is mini (well in the games anyway).

Now to the accessories given. The screen with hand (permanently attached) is a very nice add-on. The issue I had though was that when I tried to take Cortana’s hand off from the figure to replace it with the screen/hand, it wouldn’t come off easily. So, rather than break the figure, I opted to leave it as is. That’s a bit disappointing though as I REALLY wanted to display her with the screen.

As well you get this large almost half spherical base, which is the top of the plinth she stands above in the game. Looks like it could have been ready for electronics like the Halo 3 version. I guess McFarlane took that out. Shame too as it would have helped.

However, given that this version of Cortana is solid instead of translucent like the Halo 3 version. So having lighting wouldn’t have mattered so much. The figure comes with limited articulation. Normally I would say the more articulation the better. In this case though, I would actually have preferred less. Since she can’t really sit or be posed any other way that makes sense or looks good, there really wasn’t much reason to have hip joints. Her head is in a downward looking pose and can’t be positioned upward. Darn…

With such a classic and iconic character of Halo, I was hoping for a little better here. While the paint apps are good, the fact that I can’t switch out hands for fear of breaking the fig, as well as not being able to pose her more dynamically, especially with her head being able to look up (as if to look at Master Chief) this figure is lacking.

I do appreciate the micro Chief and it will look great in my growing collection of McFarlane Micro Ops, which I hope continues to be produced. I wants my Scorpion and Pelican! LOL (and Mantis too please)

Overall this figure looks fine if you keep her in the static pose it’s meant for. That means though that there isn’t much action, in this action figure.

Thankfully though, she doesn’t require much “action” posing.

So, final thoughts…

Sculpt is great as always.
Accessories make sense and look great (though I wish I could switch out the for the screen hand)
Worth the purchase? Depends. I’d love to say yes without question, but I’m just hesitant to do that here. If you love the character then absolutely yes. If you’re looking for something very poseable, then no. Where am I specifically? I’m on the yes side with some slight reservations.

Since I know that I’ll likely jut be displaying her as a statue, she’ll do just fine. Just bummed about that screen hand…

I give it 7 out of 10 medals.

-Sal