Alien 40th Anniversary Ultimate Big Chap NECA In-Hand Review
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I’ve finally gotten my hands on NECA’s Alien 40th Anniversary Ultimate Big Chap, and I’m excited to give this one a closer look! I know this figure originally came out in 2020, but there’s a reason I’m just getting around to reviewing it now. Earlier this year, I decided to start a collection of Alien figures on my shelf. I’ve never really been much of a movie figure collector, but Alien has always been my favorite movie franchise, so I figured, why not? Well, apparently that was all it took, because now I’m all in!
I’ve always loved H.R. Giger’s original Xenomorph design, so Big Chap was one I was especially excited to add to the collection. NECA also included an Alien egg, Facehugger, and Chestburster, and while there’s a lot I like about this release, I do have a few complaints. BigBadToyStore provided Big Chap for this review. If you’re looking to add NECA’s Alien 40th Anniversary Ultimate Big Chap to your collection, you can find him there. I recently reviewed NECA’s 40th Anniversary Ultimate Xenomorph Warrior, and now we’re taking a look at the Alien that started it all!
Packaging
NECA went with the original Alien theatrical poster artwork for the front of the packaging, featuring the cracked egg and that eerie green glow. I’ve always loved this poster, and it’s a great choice for Big Chap.
The side of the box continues the black-and-green color scheme, with artwork depicting the field of Alien eggs along the bottom. It fits the original movie’s presentation and carries the same atmosphere as the front.
Around the back, NECA included photographs of Big Chap along with the egg, Facehugger, and Chestburster. I like that the packaging gives the smaller creatures their own attention, especially since they play such an important role in the original film.
Opening the front flap reveals Big Chap through a clear window, with a large photograph of the figure on the inside panel. I’ve always liked this style of packaging from NECA, and the photograph of Big Chap looks fantastic against the dark background.
Inside the box, Big Chap and the included creatures are secured in two clear plastic trays. There’s quite a bit included with this release, especially when you consider the size of the Alien egg and its base.
Figure Details
Ultimate Big Chap
Now let’s get into the figure itself! NECA has done a fantastic job recreating Big Chap’s original appearance from Ridley Scott’s Alien. Giger’s creature design has always fascinated me, and I love seeing it represented in action figure form. The dark finish, glossy surfaces, and intricate sculpting are all well represented here.
Getting closer to the sculpt, there’s a considerable amount of detail throughout the body. The combination of organic and mechanical-looking elements has always been one of my favorite things about Giger’s work. NECA used darker paint applications with some lighter highlights, and I like how the glossy finish works with the creature’s original appearance.
Moving down to the legs, the sculpted detailing continues through the thighs, knees, and feet. One thing I appreciate about Big Chap is how much his overall design differs from the Xenomorphs in later movies. He’s still unmistakably an Alien, but there’s something about Giger’s original creation that I find especially creepy.
The tubes extending from Big Chap’s back are another recognizable part of the original design. I like how NECA recreated their curved shapes and the ribbed detailing along their surfaces. The lighter paint applications are especially noticeable around the sculpted sections connecting them to the upper body.
Here we get a closer look at one of Big Chap’s hands, along with the detailing on his arms and chest. I’ve always found his hands creepy because they have such an unusual combination of human and alien characteristics. NECA has recreated the long fingers and pointed tips, and the sculpting continues right down to the smaller details on the hands.
Of course, we have to talk about Big Chap’s mouth! NECA included an opening outer jaw and an extending inner jaw, complete with silver-painted teeth. I absolutely love this feature, but unfortunately, the inner jaw on my figure is loose. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered that problem with a NECA Alien release, and it’s frustrating because it’s one of my favorite features of the creature.
Moving on to the head, this is easily one of my favorite parts of the figure. NECA recreated Big Chap’s translucent dome, with the skull-like details visible beneath the surface. I love the way those details show through the smoky material, especially toward the front of the head. It’s one of the things I’ve always loved about Giger’s original Alien.
Looking at Big Chap from behind, we get a better appreciation of how the back tubes, spine, and tail fit into the overall design. The detailing continues across the entire figure, and the darker paint applications work well with the raised areas of the sculpt. The tail also features the familiar segmented appearance of the original creature.
The side view brings together several of the features we’ve been looking at, especially the shape of the head and the tubes extending from the back. I’ve always thought the original Alien had a strange, almost human quality that makes him different from the creatures introduced in the sequels. Giger’s version still looks wonderfully bizarre after all these years.
From another angle, the sculpted details along the back and tail are easier to appreciate together. I especially like the amount of texture NECA included along the tail, continuing the biomechanical appearance found throughout the rest of Big Chap.
As for articulation, NECA advertises more than 30 points, including double-jointed knees and a bendable tail. The hips on my figure are fine, which I’m happy to report because I’ve heard complaints about loose hips on other NECA Alien releases. That hasn’t been an issue with my Big Chap, although I do wish the inner jaw were tighter.
Egg, Facehugger, and Chestburster
Now let’s get into the accessories! NECA included an Alien egg, Facehugger, and Chestburster, giving us the creatures responsible for some of the most memorable and horrifying moments in the original film. It’s a substantial assortment, and I’m happy they included all three.
The Chestburster is a nasty little thing! NECA recreated its fleshy pink-orange coloring, open mouth, and long segmented tail. It’s hard to look at this little creature without thinking about the infamous dinner scene aboard the Nostromo. Even knowing what’s about to happen, that scene still gets me!
Moving on to the Facehugger, NECA included its familiar tan coloring, long finger-like legs, and extended tail. There’s quite a bit of sculpted detail across the body, especially considering the size of the accessory. I’ve always found the Facehugger to be one of the most disturbing creatures in the entire franchise.
And if the Facehugger wasn’t disgusting enough, take a look underneath! NECA recreated the fleshy structures surrounding the central opening, with darker red and blue-gray paint applications across the exposed details. It’s wonderfully gross!
Here we get another look at the Facehugger’s upper body and long tail. The sculpt includes segmented detailing running along the tail and smaller organic shapes across the body. It’s a creepy little accessory, and one that makes an especially appropriate addition to a figure based on the original Alien.
Finally, there’s the Alien egg, which might be my favorite accessory in the set. NECA recreated the rough, dark exterior and the four open petals, complete with a fleshy orange interior. The base has several tentacle-like structures extending outward, and I love how strange the entire thing looks. I’ve always enjoyed the sequence where Kane discovers the eggs inside the derelict spacecraft, even though we all know his curiosity isn’t going to end well!
Overall Impressions
I’m really happy to have NECA’s Ultimate Big Chap in my collection. Giger’s original Alien has always been one of my favorite creature designs, and there’s a lot to enjoy about this figure. My biggest complaint is still the loose inner jaw. I’ve encountered this issue with other NECA Alien figures, and it’s disappointing to run into it again. Thankfully, the hips on my copy are fine. Even with that frustration, I really like Big Chap. And having the egg, Facehugger, and Chestburster included is a welcome bonus. If you’re a fan of the original Alien, there’s plenty here to appreciate!
