The Crimson Twins: Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified #44 and #45 Tomax and Xamot Paoli Action Figure Review

Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified #44 and #45 Tomax and Xamot Paoli Action Figure Review

Welcome back, fellow toy enthusiasts! Today, we have something special on the review docket, the Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified #44 and #45 Tomax and Xamot Paoli action figures. These dynamic twins bring a touch of class to the battlefield with their sleek outfits and a formidable array of accessories. Let's break it down in our four primary categories: Accessories, Appearance, Articulation, and Affordability.

Admittedly, my knowledge of the Crimson Guard Commanders is spotty at best. I remember them from the comics and the cartoons and had the original figures, but really didn't ever look too much into their history. So, thankfully, the wonderful worldwide web was able to provide the following background on the Paoli brothers.

The brothers were at some point members of the Unione Corse (Corsican Brotherhood), served in the French Foreign Legion's 1erREP in Algeria, then as mercenaries in Africa (Congo, southern Africa) and South America. While they relished this, they realized they would soon become too old and weak to be soldiers forever, so they changed careers and studied banking in Zurich, Switzerland. Unhappy with the world of corporate finance, the brothers found the opportunities available in international terrorism far more suited to their abilities and joined Cobra. Their specialties are in infiltration, espionage (military and industrial), sabotage, propaganda, and corporate law.

Like the Crimson Guard that they lead, Xamot and Tomax also lead the "respectable" corporate face of Cobra as the founders, owners, and CEOs of Extensive Enterprises. When not engaged in terrorism, they efficiently manage Cobra's business affairs in shirt and tie. Their preferred mode of attack is through brains over brawn, using the law to serve the purposes of Cobra. They have covered their paper trail and connection to Cobra so well, that it is thought to be impossible to prove a connection between them and the terrorist organization.

The twin brothers are mirror images of each other; Tomax's hair is parted on the right side of his head and Xamot's on the left; the piping on their uniforms goes up the opposite side on each twin; the brothers' names are mirror images of one another. The only distinguishing mark between the two is a scar on Xamot's right cheek. Tomax and Xamot share an empathic connection commonly known as "The Corsican Syndrome" in which identical twins are believed to be psychically bonded, in a manner similar to The Corsican Brothers (1844) by Alexandre Dumas. While this psychic connection is often useful, as it allows them to communicate wordlessly, finish each other's sentences, and speak in unison, it is also a liability as they feel each other's pain.

(Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Accessories 8/10

Starting strong with the accessories category, the Tomax and Xamot action figures don't disappoint. Each figure comes equipped with two daggers, adding an extra layer of versatility in close combat scenarios. But it's the rifles that truly shine here. Not only do they feature removable magazines for that realistic reloading feel, but the inclusion of silencer attachments is a fantastic touch. The attention to detail on these accessories is top-notch.

Appearance 7/10

Moving on to their appearance, these twins exude an air of sophistication and menace that's true to their G.I. Joe counterparts. The battle suits and sleek design capture the essence of Tomax and Xamot perfectly. The paintwork on their faces is impressive, with sharp lines and expressive eyes that bring out their personalities. Ironically, Hasbro (the owners of the G.I. Joe Franchise, mind you...) made one major OOPSIE that brings the figures overall rating down a bit. If you noticed in the background section, Xamot has a scar on his RIGHT cheek. However, on these figures, the scar is on the LEFT side of his face and the box art (clearly labelling the figure as Xamot) shows this egregious mistake. I'm trying to figure out how the company that owns the license and designed the original figures could make this baffling a mistake. At first, I thought maybe Wiki had fouled up, but looking at images from the cartoons and the comics, the scar is clearly on the right side of Xamot's face.

I was even more blown away when I saw pictures of the original figures and the scar was on the left side of Xamot's face. I haven't seen too many reviews of these figures, so I don't know if anybody else has caught this. Please leave a comment or link below if you've seen any other reviewers noticing this discrepancy.

Articulation 7/10

In the realm of articulation, these figures offer a solid range of motion. They can strike dynamic poses, and the joints feel sturdy without being too tight. However, there's a slight limitation in ankle articulation, which affects their stability in certain action poses. While it doesn't break the overall experience, it's worth noting for those who like to experiment with elaborate displays. On the whole, the Crimson Twins both utilize the standard engineering for the Classified series, which means... We have great head movement, side to side, up and down and tilt. Even with the high collars for the shoulder pauldrons, there is no impediment in motion. The shoulders can raise out to the sides to easy T poses, even with the shoulder pieces. The arms can rotate a full 360 degrees as well. The bicep swivels work fine, and the elbows bend in with terrific range. The wrists hinge vertically and pivot with ease as well. The sash doesn't affect the ab crunch with bends forward and backward relatively deep. Mine were fairly tight on both figures and the very loud clicks that the ratchet makes were a bit distressing at first. The waist is on a ball joint and can swivel, tilt side to side, and aid in getting a somewhat deeper crunch for the figures. The belts can be somewhat limiting though, so just take care when you are posing. The legs feature drop down hips, which allow for good splits. However, the sheathes on their belts will flex outward and I had some trouble getting mine to hang straight down again after... so that's something to keep in mind. The knees are double jointed and were very tight on both my figures, but after applying heat and working them back and forth, they move well. As mentioned above the limitation in ankle articulation is due to loose ankles on Tomax, which have the annoying tendency to hinge, causing the figure to fall over. I'm going to try to work a bit of either super glue or fingernail polish into the joint and tighten it a bit. Overall, though, in spite of the few concerns, the figures are fun to pose together and make for a nice addition to the Joe shelf.

Affordability 9/10

Finally, let's talk affordability. The regular retail price for each of these figures is $24.99. However, they are currently on sale on Amazon with Tomax coming in at $16.88 and Xamot at $13. (I guess the scar is considered a defect?). If you have Amazon prime points to spend, as I did, you can get them at even further reduced pricing. Grab them now, while you can get them at a discounted rate!!!

Overall, the Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified #44 and #45 Tomax and Xamot Paoli action figures are a commendable addition to the G.I. Joe lineup. Their accessories are fantastic, the appearance is mostly spot-on, and the articulation allows for enjoyable posing. If you're a die-hard G.I. Joe fan or simply love figures with a touch of class and intrigue, these twins are worth considering. My overall score for these figures is a solid:

8 out of 10 ToyBoxes

So, there you have it, folks. Tomax and Xamot have made their mark in the world of action figures, and they're ready to join your collection. Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!