Hello... anyone who's happened to stumble upon my blog, seeing as I haven't any followers yet (though I've been lurking for some time). Mostly I'm over on tumblr, babbling on about Monster High or Dolls in general.
This year I wanted to do something different, however, and decided to do a review. The only thing is- everything has pretty much been done? So I was excited when the news came out that MGA (Bratz, Moxie Teenz/Girlz) had a new doll line due out soon- the Vi and Va dolls.
And so the search began. While on my regularly scheduled doll hunts, I scoured Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, until at last- a fashion pack appeared at Target last Friday. I mean, I was really only looking for like a week and a half, but still, it was tedious. ANYHOO, today (1/17/15) I found all four of the Basics: Viviana, Valentina, Felicia, and Roxxi, at Target in Escondido (on Auto Parkway). They also had all four fashion packs, but so far none of the deluxe dolls (as seen here on the Target website) or the styling heads.
The four fashion packs, available individually ($10 at Target)
The two-pack "Party" dolls
BUT as I don't have the Party Dolls yet, I will focus on the two basics I picked up today: Valentina and Roxxi.
(as seen on my instagram :D)
The box art is cute, cuter than the Bratz or Bratzillaz art imho. Honestly though they look a LOT younger than 18 & 15 (to me, anyway). The box is mostly orange and pink with a pic of the character on the front and back. There are a few noticeable differences between the art and the clothes, but they aren't huge. In the art, Roxxi has a top and shorts, and flower in her hair, while on the doll she's wearing a one-piece romper and no hair decoration. The only real difference between Va's art and her doll is the lack of detail on the shoes, and the not- very elaborate hairstyle. I mention this because I was often disappointed when the art or initial pictures of MGA dolls (like the Bratz Tattoo dolls) were very very different than the dolls in the box. These guys are pretty much the drawings brought to life, big cartoony eyes and all!
Let's look at the packaging first: The sides have a little blurb in English and Spanish:
Let me just say that I LOVE that they are Latina. Being Mexican, I grew kinda tired of really only having blond Barbies, and remember asking specifically for brunettes, or Christie (In fact, we didn't get a Latina Barbie til I was 13??). Even though more recently doll lines have introduced a little more diversity (like Bratz, Monster High, Heart 4 Hearts & the discontinued Liv, for example) I still feel like toy companies can do a LOT better as far as bringing us dolls that represent little girls of varying ethnicities. To have a doll line with four Latina babies? Love it. More please u_u
Moving on... it looks like Valentina likes to cook, and is the neat and organized one. Roxxi likes to dance, even if she is a bit of a klutz.
(Klutzy? Totally relate-able. Neat & organized? Not so much u_u)
The packaging is about what you'd expect from MGA. Lots of plastic taped to a cardboard backing.
(the back before my vicious scissor attack and the aftermath)
The hair was stuck onto one of the plastic strips with the clear thread sewn through it and took about 20 minutes to undo. Even when I got the plastic strip off (of Va), I still had to very carefully detangle the thread from her hair. It wasn't pretty.
Here are Valentina and Roxxi. In spite of the tremendous amount of hair on Roxxi's head, she can, in fact, stand on her own. Valentina stands quite well with a little fussing. Both stand about 10" tall, and have only five points of articulation- the arms rotate (and swivel), and the legs are about the same. I have to say, I'm a little disappointed that Bratz made attempts at articulation (ex: with Totally Polished and Into the Wild Bratz), but then turn around and give us dolls with LESS articulation than the original, click knee Bratz. The legs feel hollow (they most definitely do not bend). The arms are thicker plastic, and can't really do much more than wave. The head can go all the way around and look up or down. Because of her bushels of hair, Roxxi mostly likes to look up.
(maybe she's just optimistic?)
And speaking of the hair....
It's rough. Man was I hoping for some silky Moxie hair but instead its crunchy and dry (Like... Bratzillaz Meygana hair? Yeah, sorry to tell you). Its very shiny, and a lovely dark brown/black (it looks like a blend of the two in the poor light of my dining room), but I dare not brush this mess out lest I end up with a rats nest.
Va's is a little better. There are a wily strands that refuse to stay with the others but mostly its uniformly straight and silky. Its a lovely brown, lighter than Roxxis, with a touch of red to it.
The clothes are quite colorful. Vi and Va (and cousins) are fond of mixing and matching (and yet, everything works, kinda). Va is wearing a dress (its one piece) under a little denim bolero jacket with striped material on the collar and cuffs. Roxxi has a jumper in a floral denim-like material, and a little ruffly blouse (?) over. Now, I don't know fashion. Even with a 14 year old girl in the house, I have no idea what kids are wearing these days, or what looks good with what (I mean, I live in ripped jeans and plain tee-shirts (in colors that flatter my complexion, but plain nonetheless)). That being said, Va and Roxxi look like they are probably a tad more up to date on what's cute these days. Or possibly they're wearing what they want and don't care what anyone thinks ^_^
(top: Roxxi's outfit. bottom: Valentinas dress and jacket)
Both of the outfits are one piece (apart from the vest/jacket), and close in the back with velcro. They do not have the little underwear attachment that some Moxie/Bratz clothes have. The construction of the clothes is decent: the jumper is solid enough, but the blouse may not last if a child is dressing and undressing her constantly- the fingers catch slightly on the lace. I love the colors of Va's dress, but the construction on this one isn't fantastic- there were a few strands hanging off Valentinas jacket, and there's a strange dart in her blouse just under the bust:
(mija, I don't think that top fits you!)
Can't get it to lie flat no matter how I finangle the velcro. Its odd enough that it makes me think it might just be THIS outfit in particular. I'll check the others when I go back to Target. I noticed she is also missing the choker from the box art, but its not a big deal, I'll find something for her.
The feet though O_o
I... ok to be fair, I much prefer these to the peg feet (which you are familiar with if you have Bratz). Typically, if you lose a shoe- oh well, your doll is barefoot. If you lose a foot... uncool. This is my big issue with other MGA dolls u_u
Anyway, Vivas have strange little baby feet, which are pointed for teeny tiny high heels. The shoes are SO small, and Roxxis fell off fairly easily. The boots are a little sturdier. Both are easy to get on and off, and likely will not be a problem for little hands, either.
The bodies are pretty unique. They have short arms, curvy figures and thick, sturdy legs (well, they look sturdy, don't forget they are hollow).
They are strange in that they don't really look like teenagers, but they're more mature than children. Overall, the stylized appeared rather reminds me of chibi characters, from their large eyes, to their wee feetsies. They're cute, that's for sure, they just fall into this in-between place that doesn't make em seem like one thing or another. Maybe they should've been marketed as tweens?
Before I go into comparisons to other dolls, here are their accessories: Roxxi, the dancer, has a boom box and a... record? Old school!
but does it play records??
The boom box is hollow, and the record is just a cardboard with printing on one side. Meanwhile Valetina comes with ... Tiny. Empanadas.
Be still my little heart ^_^
I can't tell you how much I LOVE teeny tiny baked goods. Also, baking is one of my hobbies so this is absolutely the reason she came home with me (and Vi waits for next time). The recipe book is also a piece of folded cardboard, with printing on the outside. The only problem is- Roxxi can't do too much in the way of dancing- not with that articulation (or lack thereof).
But I can do a lovely split!
And Valentina can't really hold her baking pan.
that makes me a sad pan-da :C
As for their height: I was under the impression that these were at least as tall as Monster High dolls. They are not. They are almost 10" tall.
Here they are compared to other MGA girls, then with Liv, Monster High and others:
with her MGA friends: Moxie Sophina, Bratz Yasmin, and Bratz Jade
And here with Barbie, Liv Daniela, Monster High's Cleo, and Bratzillaz Sashabella
Here's just the bodies (well, Monster High Clawdeen and Ever After Highs Cedar)
They are too thick around the middle for Monster High clothes (I usually check that first- my MH girls can never have too many clothes).
Vi and Va Girls are closest to older Bratz and Moxie in height, but have thicker bodies, and legs. Roxxi tried switching clothes with Sophina, and Cedar:
The Moxie Girlz clothes are baggie and don't fit well, but Cedar and Sophina thought they looked alright in Roxxis jumper.
The only other thing is their face-ups. Both have this weird thing where their right eye is painted like its looking the the right, but the left eye is more centered? Also, the strange flower petal thing in the iris'. What is that all about? Its not as strange as it looks in the drawing, I think. Their expressions change, depending on the light. Sometimes Va looks shy, and sometimes she looks like she's trying not to laugh at someone. Roxxi goes from sweet and wistful to slightly vacant looking. I wish they'd chosen either them looking straight ahead, or a more obvious side-eye.
They have fairly plain make-up. Roxxi has white eye shadow and a pretty dark pink lip color. Va has lavender eye shadow and a lighter lip color. They have painted on eyelashes, and a touch of pink blush. Both have very strong eye brow game.
Gurl, you know how long it took me to get my eyebrows like that?
Oh! And both girls have earrings (borrowed from Bratz), but they fall out super easily. Everytime I moved Roxxis hair, she lost an earring. Just something to be aware of.
All in all, they are adorable but I would probably not have paid $16.99 for them, if I didn't have a Gift card. While they are more articulated than, say, Novi Stars, this relative lack of movement doesn't allow for much play, and the legs feel like they'd crack if they were knocked about too much. For $16 you could get a budget Monster High doll, or a couple of Moxie Girlz friends. Will I get the other two? ... Maybe. IF they go on sale in the next couple months.
For littler girls (who I assume these are aimed at, with their youthful looks), I worry about how long the Vi and Va girls will last? I don't think the shoes or earrings will stick around very long, and the hair is going to be a disaster after a while, but once the playsets come out, they might be fun for 6-10 year olds. They just really don't seem like "toys"- the knees don't even bend! I don't know how collectible they'll be, but if you have a kid who just likes fashion dolls, they would probably look good on a shelf with your Novis and Star Dolls (if mine don't go to a friends daughter, they'll likely end up on the shelf next to my Heart 4 Hearts girls).
So. To sum up:
Cute? Cute.
Worth it? No, not worth $16.99. If they pull a Novi Stars and drop in price, maybe.
But will you be buying more? ... Yes (if they go on sale)
But will you collect ALL of them? Probably not, I might get one or two fashion packs but I can't see this being a gottacatchemall thing.
This has been my first official review. Thanks for reading!
No comments:
Post a Comment