G.I. Joe Vs S.A.S | A Classified Review of Big Ben

[@MichaelJShaffer]

You always have refreshing, unique perspectives when you review an item but this is, by far, the best single figure review you've ever done. Puts all the boring, cookie cutter reviewers to shame. Wonderful work, Tony.

[@AnalogToys]

Thanks man. Sincerely thank you!

[@drawingbyhand]

​@@AnalogToysI second that this was interesting stuff. Brilliant review tony👍👍

[@Therealjamesjones5150]

Agree! Agree! I’ve watched it many time. Very well done. I was passing on this fig but now I can’t wait to get him. Great Job Tony!

[@humble1ne]

Tony, this video is 10 steps above any review of Big Ben I've ever seen. I absolutely appreciate the abundance of background information you included because realism is what drew so many of us to the toyline in the first place.

[@Iamnotanemocrybaby]

This video made me buy the figure and turn him into a real member of the SAS, great job tony

[@k-dawgbroadcasting5444]

This could've only been done by someone who has served in the SAS, and further by someone who is charismatic and capable of comprehensive and interesting reviews. Tony, you are one of the few that can pull this off from your unique perspective. Were award winning a thing on KZbin by actual people of merit a thing, this would be an "award winning feature". In other words, kickass vid and learned a lot of great shit. A coup de grace, Tony!

[@tedmilich5507]

Now, this is a toy review video

[@Slamgod]

Yes, dammit! Yes it was!! 😊

[@scubapete9500]

God I love how you mixed the SAS documentary footage with you in the outback. I learned so much about proper kit! (Leslie laughed her arse off on “Big Ben”!😂)

[@foamformers]

More than just a toy review but a history lesson. This was awesome.

[@BobaVett]

Damn brother, this truly was a unique way to cover the figure. Absolutely loved this.

[@blaidenstorm9166]

I very much enjoyed your veteran perspective during this kit inspection. Great video Tony!

[@ultramagneticlion2147]

We need more of this! Grew up on my father's army maintenance manuals and equipment and this took me back. I'm pretty sure most Joes would fail to scrutiny, but it's pretty fun to see the real world comparisons. Thanks, Tony! Hopefully, more like this!

[@loganholmberg2295]

That story about SAS soldiers wearing US flag patches to hide their affiliation is hilarious. I know most SAS soldiers don't discuss their service but what is out there is fascinating. Thankyou for sharing even this little bit Tony. As a person who loves reading up on military history its very apreciateed.

[@EveryD4yRunner]

I don’t actually care about the military accuracy of GI Joe toys, but I love that you do. Entertaining watch. Lots of great info that Hasbro should probably care to pay attention to. This figure seems like a hodgepodge of historical and updated gear with some glaring inaccuracies. I learned a bunch, thank you.

[@nicholasdickens2801]

I love them being accurate when it’s representing a real world soldier.

[@daniel79tj]

I also see them like a mix of real world soldiers and "super hero costumes" (Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Quick Kick), so with the more realistic looking soldiers (Stalker, Dusty) I expect some leeway in their portrait sacrificing realistic for stilistic, but I respect Analog Toys info on the costumes, funny thing I always tought Big Ben's hat was a stilistic choice and not realistic to separate him from other green soldiers

[@NettersNetwork]

Loved this vid! No one ever breaks down the real life practicality and accuracy of the figures like this. I learned a lot and hope you do more vids like this. (It was also great "meeting" you last night. ❤ )

[@bikerscout7467]

Fantastic review with lots of real world combat situation insight and experience!!! Loved the video footage of the SAS in training! Never seen that before!

[@a_world_made_of_cardboard]

Fantastic insight. This video puts on record a level of collecting that is based on personal experience. It reminded me of the times I would show my grandfather, who served in WW2, a GI Joe toy and he would explain the toy his experiences. (The Howitzer was his position.) He would be impressed with what they got right and describe what was wrong. Though we can pass off the Hasbro choices as "cost cutting ignorance," we cannot say that the level of care that was put into the 80's GI Joe Big Ben was carried on to today. Thank you, Tony, for a fantastic journey into the history of the SAS through your experience.

[@wagnertonidandel9242]

I’ve never seen a toy review like this. You are the best! Congrats!

[@Mvargo97]

Fantastic video Tony. Insights only you could provide take this video to the next level. This video is one of the best look at any military action figures ever.

[@AnalogToys]

Thanks man!

[@timothytangemann8870]

This was both an entertaining and very informative review on this figure. It’s both an action figure review and a documentary on the SAS, brilliant!! This goes to show if you’re a company doing a military toy line it’s best to pay attention to detail.

[@Ajztoyz]

This was outstanding! I can relate on how offensive the errors can be as I hear it in the disgust and disdain in your voice inflections as they are called out. I too am retired military and the shipwreck offering has always been a spit in the face. Again, this review was a work of art!

[@Diesel0306]

This is quite possibly the most in-depth figure review I've ever seen. Excellent work Tony!

[@magnuslauglo5356]

Excellent attention to detail and wonderful to get an honest take on thisparticular Joe from someone who knows the source material so well. I don't expect G.I.Joe characters to dress or equip themselves entirely by the book and I imagine that once they join the Joe team, they pick up gear and weapons based on what is available to them as well as taking influences from their teammates. I do agree that Big Ben should have either been based on his original look or have been modernized rather than somewhere in between. Big Ben is one of my favorite Joes for so many reasons - I'm part British myself and grew up in Europe, and I spent a little time in the Norwegian army - so cold weather representation always warms my heart! I wish the Joe team had included more international members - we should have really had one from every NATO country eventually. I also miss his big backpack. A yomp/tab isn't really complete withoutheavy things to carry, right? ;)

[@MarkRudolph666]

Another well researched, unique and informative video. Your real world experience and passion for the subject matter is a breath of fresh air in theKZbin toy space. Who cares about a rundown of articulation and box art? You've continued to create some of the most compelling toy content and I really love your criticism of action figures coming from a love and respect of military history and serving yourself. Great job, Tony! I anxiously await your next video! Who dares wins!

[@BaldyLockz]

This is a great review and breakdown. You say the Joe Team should pick a lane yet at the same time perfectly describe the loud minority of the Joe fandom. People want straight retro and then complain they want modern. I think they should revamp the retro line to be 100% retro down to the clothes and weapons and then the Classified series should be all modern takes. Not a mix & match like they currently do to appease the “get off my lawn” minority of the fandom.

[@Ksknight100]

Absolutely LOVE this review. One of your very finest videos, Tony. Loved the use of the documentaries, training films and personal photos. You explained every last detail to perfection as only a former Trooper could. Outstanding mate, thank you.

[@WW1Russ8335]

Great video Tony, and thanks for mentioning the bell is Big Ben and saying "Union Flag"

[@Sithfire30Creations]

Excellent work Tony! Probably the best review of a figure I've seen. I loved how you started off the video with the "clone reviews". Very unique, very educational and well spoken!

[@AnalogToys]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot2]

Tony, you might have struck gold with this video and although Larry Hama didn’t mention certain division/units for Gung-Ho, Stalker or Torpedo you could probably make future videos going into detail on how Hasbro could have really created some of the characters from the G.I. Joe line, I for one would love to see more videos like this for some of the other characters…..Cheers Brother!!

[@marklaurenzi1609]

Thank you for the lesson on the SAS and for your service! To hear direct is something special!

[@billislois]

I agree that the first version is more accurate but the new is more badass,and hasbro wants to sell as many as possible,and this is the way .G.I.JOE of the 80s was the reason for me to become a special forces officer.

[@KernowFishy]

What a brilliant review. I'll admit at first I wasn't sure it mattered so much about accuracy but you won me over when pointing out it references a specific unit, and previously honoured that unit properly. Good points well made.

[@johnathankirkland4801]

Outstanding review Tony. The cross cuts to the doc were a first class idea.

[@fightincodenames481]

Woah 🤯 insane deep dive review. Really great job Tony!

[@AFAFsamedwards]

I love your reviews sir. Always honest and to the point. When I get this figure he’s definitely getting the AF upgrades and a proper patch on his right arm. That shit has to go.

[@callmedoc2147]

The pouch on the back is the approximate dimensions of the ALICE improved first aid kit. Which is the only ''real'' first aid kit beyond a medic's kit i can think of in the cold war

[@darthcleveland1631]

With all due respect to many others this is now my favorite action figure review ever. Surprisingly even handed when it could have been extremely biased. Very Entertaining and educational. Can’t ask for more than that.

[@Its.Chad.]

This is what happens when Hasbro tried to run both lanes of ‘nostalgia’ and ‘updated’. And it’s an example of “it’s ok, but” as a result. Awesome review, my friend!!

[@Barry_idk]

I love how you review it, not talking about the poses, looks, only the accuracy

[@rlpittsjr]

With more reviews like this, perhaps the industry will consider details as a good thing.

[@jedipoodoo]

Thank you Tony for not being cookie-cutter like some other channels. This was entertaining and educational.

[@bear11charlie41]

A figure review and a history lesson what a great video! Way more interesting than most review videos.

[@troubledturtle2332]

Bravo ! excellent vid Tony ,enjoyed every minute of it.

[@ForgeMaciejewski]

Hell yeah! This is how you do a review based on a military toy line! Well done!

[@forrestdevine2336]

Congrats, Tony. You've perfectly summed up most of my issues with Classified in one figure. I wish the designers would use the original figure as an inspiration to interate on the design. What makes sense to add, what makes sense to scrap, etc. Instead of using the original designs for a slavish recreation, practcality be damned.

[@robertsinfiniterealms1308]

Tony you continue to inspire. I admit in foreign military I am mostly ignorant. I knew a little about the SAS but I feel I have gained a lot of information and the SAS is far more interesting and plan to look into them more. I absolutely loved your opening about copies. I agree and have tried to regain my voice from years ago inspired by yourself, Retroblasting and Ninja. I can never thank you guys enough for re awakening my creativity. But enough about me. This bar none is one of the best action figure reviews I’ve ever seen. Thank you.

[@jays_toycollectionuk]

Great Video Tony , such a unique way of presenting , its like movie quality content and i was very excited to see a little clip from my review at the start. Keep up the great work 👍

[@AnalogToys]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Shellbackrc]

Outstanding review and history lesson thank you for taking the time to make this the most educational review of any toy figure video.

[@gijoburg]

👏 👏 👏 Tony you bloody legend. You just moved the needle for Classified reviews. How can anybody top this?!

[@AnalogToys]

Let them try LOL

[@shawnpowell2155]

That is one of the best reviews I have seen. You knocked it out of the park. Good show!

[@happiaxxident]

This is awesome. Been eagerly awaiting this one. Demolished expectations. Thanks, Tony!

[@irishvader2193]

I feel like gi joe can never “update” itself as long as it’s tied to the past

[@dogwheeze]

As a son of an 84 year old Royal Navy sailor, I appreciate the slang and swearing. 🤷‍♂️👍

[@darrellwallace4182]

It's great that Tony actually knows the military and the actual name for equipment and weapons. He, or someone with actual military experience, should be consulted when designing these figures for a more precise final product. This review was informative, entertaining, and hilarious. Really great review!

[@rich_oreilly]

Great insight Tony. Very informative and well explained!

[@AllBreaksLoose]

Now this was a unique review! Brilliantly done! Also liked how you pointed out how to mod the figure to get it as accurate as possible considering ive only bought gijoe classifieds for customs.

[@andrewdavis3622]

The ladies call him Big Ben because he has a massive cLock😆. Leave it up to Tony to turn a review on its head but yet give us the Real👍

[@impossiblepie]

Big Ben history toy review > any other Big Ben review on KZbin. Well done Tony, thank you for the best G.I.Joe review of all time!

[@alekhidell4925]

Definitely appreciate the real world take on this Big Ben. If anything I’d love to get this figure and re-equip him with the proper load out. Great video my friend.

[@sherwoodcrump3716]

Tony, this review is one of the best that I’ve seen on YT. Your perspectives are on point and show that the toy designers on the G.I. Joe team failed massively. They would be well served to consult with you or other collectors with real military experience to get the details right. Plus, your presentation was funny and poignant as hell! Still rockin’ the theme from, as it was released in the States, “The Final Option” (“Who Dares Wins”). 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@peteyjunt3746]

This was the best GI Joe review I have ever seen.

[@kba702]

A great video. Your passion for the subject really shows. Big Ben was one of the last really great figures in the original run, so it's disappointing to see Hasbro muck up what should've been an easy win. And honestly, I'm neither a vet nor much of a gun guy, and even I can recognize that that double barreled gun looks like more trouble than it's worth in the field.

[@caseyjonessnr1200]

Excellent video and review Tony. I am most impressed with your military knowledge . 27:46

[@kieronball8962]

A superb review video for the new Classified Big Ben action figure, from Tony for Analog Toys. Comprehensive and informed, this review gives an honest insight into how the Classified toyline has got things right and more importantly wrong, with this figure.

[@wocitna]

Thanks for the shout out!

[@walterheinen5298]

One of your best videos yet. Entertaining and educational at the same time. 🔱🍺

[@CoffeePhilosophy]

Im so excited to watch this review. Saturday morning, long week of teaching, in going to enjoy this. Thank you, Thank you!!

[@PowerChordEPS]

Even though I do plan on getting this figure, the loadout's gotta go, I'm sure Valaverse has the right armaments for Big Ben Loved the integration of SAS documentary footage, helps with putting things in perspective for this Yank who never knew much of the fascinating history of the SAS

[@MIGZ-vb9oh]

Finally hehe i waited for you to review it... as always awesome reviews/contents.. review with history lessons... Kudos to you Tony! Salute and Respect

[@211inprogress]

He looks a lot like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Lots of Respect to S.A.S. and S.B.S. and of course the Resert Rats. 🐀 👍

[@Getterprime]

Excellent and informative review top to bottom.

[@grizzlehorn7387]

Badass and unique review. Thanks! This rocks.

[@traviswilcox3472]

Excellent Action Figure Review! This was so well done & it’s nice to see it done by someone who knows the factual information for this type of soldier. Very enjoyable. I should do a review on Snake-Eyes since I am actually a real Ninja Commando. But if I follow your lead & make it as accurate as this video it would reveal too many trade secrets. Ultimately I would have to seek out & execute every viewer of my review. Who has that kind of time?

[@AnalogToys]

Hahahaha

[@edwinsmith-jones6205]

Maybe the ammo belts are such a recognised part of the vintage figure that Hasbro felt they'd get fan backlash if they hadn't of been included?

[@AnalogToys]

Why the padded straps?

[@edwinsmith-jones6205]

@@AnalogToys You'd have to ask Hasbro's designers about that design choice. Out of interest how would you rate the uniform & weaponry choices of the original S.A.S. Force team members? Would W.W.2 era weapons & bright yellow insignia of passed muster in the early 80's?

[@VConley]

This was an exquisite review, Tony!

[@Rastaphibian]

This was Awesome! There is a lot of info and insight in this review. I think for most of us civilians we are unaware of what should and shouldn’t be included. Sure the obvious things stick out like a sore thumb. Others not so much for the untrained eye. Most of these details Hasbro could have done easily with a bit of research. I will never understand why a company like that goes to make a realistic modern military toy with zero input from the people who served. You make an excellent point about Hama and keeping the simplicity in the designations. I would love to see more of these for other Joes and other companies past and present. Knowing is after all half the battle.

[@dgray3771]

As much as I agree on your view of how an SAS soldier should be looking and kitted. I still see this figure as really good. It's painted well, got the articulation and all the extras. Like you said in the beginning the departure from the futuristic style is great. As far as futuristic goes that is the Cobra side of things.

[@terryshrk]

Finally,..as a fellow military veteran I can attest to the breath of fresh air seeing a review of a GI Joe figure done by someone who can determine and discuss the tactical features of these figures from a real -world practical aspect instead of endlessly prattling on about articulation and blah blah blah,..

[@JediJunkie247]

My "Big Ben" arrived today. Based on your assessment of his loadout, I'm going to pick up the Valaverse Weapons Pack Echo for the MP5.

[@Figmong3r]

Amazing work!!! And yes hold creators accountable for inaccuracies when they choose to implement Real life into fictional realms. Perfect review!!!

[@SSGTStryker]

Hey Tony, the fact that you opened the video with the theme music from “Who Dares Wins/The Final Option” (1982), is pretty Out-Frik’n-Standing! 🫡🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@joegoodman4312]

You have aired all of my issues with an attempt (yes that’s all it was) to portray an elite soldier of my country. Thank you for putting it so perfectly for the rest of the world to see. I only hope Hasbro watched this vid. My biggest bugbears are no Bergan backpack, no camo, belted ammo links carried stupidly and yes, such a disappointment to see a double barreled assault rifle. Mega face palm.

[@TheBorj1234]

What a breath of fresh air in toy reviews.

[@MaximumWarp2099]

I just got around to ordering Big Ben and am grateful for this review. Very educational, and lets me know what I need to kitbash to make him more accurate. As much as I like the classified line, it’s easy to spot where the developers put the most thought and development. And it’s often not in weapons and gear choice.

[@campbellruleV1kiwiGI]

Excellent review mate first class

[@jcreations_ny]

Great research and analysis. This how a review should be done. Great job and great video.

[@AnalogToys]

No research mate. It’s all life experience.

[@jcreations_ny]

@@AnalogToys wrong choice of wording. My apologies. Definitely appreciate that I actually learned something, than just watching a video where someone looks at a figure and just says ,”pretty.” Kudos , and once again thank you for your service sir.

[@AnalogToys]

Hey no apologies needed my man, I wasn’t offended.

[@LeonardoTDragon]

Tony's reaction to the box? FANTASTIC!!! This is what a good review should do-- inform and educate. Any fool can just record their observations of package, etc. FANTASTIC review. Seriously-- I walked away from it feeling like I'd learned something from someone with some real expertise on the subject.

[@dolphins13a]

Outstanding sir , can we get more videos like this ,regards from rainy Costa Rica .

[@mainlineandvine]

This is the best toy review on a GI Joe ever. I learned a great deal. Please do more of these. I was thinking about passing on Big Ben. But not now! Yo Joe!

[@guitarfan84]

This is not a toy review, its a damn documentary!

[@BrappyHour]

Fantastic work.

[@Grismane]

What a great take on a figure review....I love the comparison to the real life SAS....good job

[@AllTheCoolStuff]

That was great, really informative and entertaining. I had a hand in updating the file-card for the 2015 version of Big Ben. For what it's worth, resources were severely limited when it came to access to existing parts or creation of new ones, and sadly as a result a lot of compromises had to be made, it wasn't perfect but it was chance to bring him back in modern articulation. However on the file-card there was the opportunity to expand and circle back in elements of the Palitoy era Action Force to help "canonise" them into the toy form, supporting the interest that Larry Hama had started within IDW comics ongoing ARAH storyline bringing more of the Palitoy created characters back into G.I. Joe universe at that time, which together helped pave a little towards the renewed interest in those characters today. Specifically naming military units went one further in the update with a hint to tie in Series One Action Force in his file-card, and then managing to shoe-horn a reference from Series Two S.A.S. Squad Leader, "Eagle", in too. There were several edits from my original draft to the final print version, some you'd expect, but there was one that got pass Hasbro Legal that really surprised me, I'll leave you to work out what that might be ;)

[@walterwright8454]

I know as a kid if I saw that double barreled assault rifle I would have thought it was cool. Hell, I still think it looks cool. But you are correct that there are more things that can go wrong with it. As Scotty said, "The more they overtake the plumbing, the easier it is stop up the drain...."

[@Chief-Solarize]

DJ Shipley had an intense military career , I remember that podcast, he said the SAS walked in the hall chow tent for the briefing looking like 7 foot tall Vikings with long hair and long beards lol

[@katiepersons6575]

Boy I'm glad my preferred hasbro franchise is Transformers which isn't based on anything in the real world so I can look at a figure and not be like "Wait min, Optimus Prime would never have this kind of alt mode on cybertron". XD

[@FullersFigures]

If ever I wanted a review about an SAS figure I wanted from an SAS solider. Amazing prospective Tony and I actually rewatched 6 Days last night after watching. I’m 100% swapping out my Big Ben weapons to what you have pointed out.

[@judgejase7583]

Thanks Sir for a truly impressive AND informative review of both the Classified figure and the SAS as a whole ... "fumbling the grenade in their own trench" indeed ... made me laugh mate ! It would be good if other reviewers took a page from your book & did the odd deep dive into comparing figures with real life counterparts, but then again, not many reviewers have been in the "real world" forces as you have (however a special nod to Michael French from Retroblasting, another solid honest reviewer ! )

[@hansachterberg5988]

Most people have already said it, but it I have to join them: Noe THAT is a review! Thank you for this 👍🏻

[@kirbstomp_filmz9679]

Dude this is an amazing video, very well crafted and totally hilarious while also giving insight

[@jeffmorris508]

Awesome video. Excellent script and editing as always

[@brendanhaley3668]

Everytime I watch a detailed figure review, I find another figure I should collect in my vintage range. V1 and v3 seem like key figures to be obtained, now I am buildibg a small arctic group... and of course I watched with the rest of the Commonwealth when The Falklands War commenced, so v1 is a key fogure. The new Classified Ben tho, yeah nah... I would have to replace all weapons and the boots bug me.... great review!

[@billymarroquin5246]

Great in depth review. Sucks Hasbro's allergic to research, this fig would've been epic if it were properly depicted

[@TroyPacelli]

Excellent video, and a brilliant, unique take on the subject. I remember as a kid with the 12" Joes I would look at some of the details and be confused or just curious, and I would ask my uncles who served about the equipment and they would explain them and their use in detail. It always made me think that G.I. Joes were more than some kind of fantasy toy, but a kind of educational product; like they conveyed a history and practical instruction beyond just the play value. But if that was to be true, the toymakers needed to be educated and informed, at least having done good research. If that was the case at one time with G.I. Joe, it's clearly not now. That's okay. Valaverse is a thing...