'The Duel of Light and Fire' - Gandalf vs. Balrog

Manufactured by: Sideshow Collectibles
Artists:
* Adrian Taboada
* Pablo Sapia
* Martin Orona
* Pablo Viggiano
* Tom Gilliland
* Anthony Mestas
* Darth Rimmer
* The Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team
Type: Polystone Statue
Size: 18"H x 14"W x 12"L
Price: $299.99

Zimm's Two Cents
I realize that I forgot a major point within the Trilogy. There were lots of trees. For some reason, Tolkein really likes the trees. The trees were so important that he allowed them to move from one plot point to another. He moved them from the (ever so exciting) forest to a (small, but supposedly important) battle. I didn't need any trees in the battle. I was already enjoying all of the death and mayhem.

Points in Favor

• Great detail. I especially enjoy the wings.
• Good colors. Balrog's mouth to Gandalf's robes.
• Right size. If your going to do a diorama, then it needs to be sized appropriately to capture all of the details.

Points Against

• Reviews point to the attachment point for Gandalf to the Balrog not being seamless.
• Something isn't right about the translucent flames. They throw me off a bit.

Recommendation: Buy, or consider the faux-bronze piece. It has to be a decent piece, if they made a faux-bronze version of it.

Bayard's 25 cents
This is a great scene for a statue. It marks one of the deaths that Zimm mentions; Gandalf the Grey dies. And I think that is key to success of any portrayal of the battle. Gandalf teaches the fellowship how to die.

Points in Favor

• The wings are wonderful. They are full of movement--past, present, and future.
• The red of the mouth highlights.
• The figures are intertwined; you have to find Gandalf. Perfect.
• The statue is perched on the base; it looks as if it is unstable, falling.

Points Against

• Something about Gandalf is not quite right. I would like a closer look. He almost looks wooden ( a problem in this series).
• The Balrog's flaming whip seems cheap.

Recommendation
I am not sure, but it might have been more telling if Gandalf had looked to be getting the worse of the fight. Follow the advice of a collector (Zimm). Buy.