Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Review: 13 Wishes Lagoona Blue

Before I get started, I quickly want to thank everyone who voted in the poll. You guys rock! As I'm sure you noticed from the post title, Lagoona indeed won the poll! You guys ready for some review-y goodness? Let's "dive" right in! (I know, cheesy. Just go with it!)




You know, I have to hand it to Mattel; for a line that's been around for three years now, they've managed to keep Monster High fresh and exciting. I mean, look at today's doll. Just a year ago did you think we'd get a Lagoona Blue that's freshwater, with neon yellow hair and electric blue skin? Of course not. But by thinking outside the box and being clever in their approach to themed doll design, Mattel has managed to give us a totally unique Lagoona, one that is almost nothing like her standard dolls, and yet due to the intelligence of the 13 Wishes theme, feels totally natural for the character. It's really quite brilliant when you think about it. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's back up and take a closer look at how Lagoona got to this freshwater state.





13 Wishes is based around the idea of genies and the wishes they grant. In this world, genies grant thirteen wishes instead of three, and they always come with unexpected, dark side effects. We learn this in the synopsis on Lagoona's box back. We're also treated to large, beautiful drawings of our four main 13 Wishes characters, in glorious full color and glossy finish.





13 Wishes Lagoona is presented as a signature/basic doll: she comes with her pet, a purse, and a diary. Obviously we already have a signature Lagoona doll (three, in fact), so why are we being given another? Because this is freshwater Lagoona, and as you learn in her diary, she's quite different from the saltwater Lagoona we know and love. What I like about this setup is that it successfully establishes the world of 13 Wishes, enticing you with an elaborate story that ends (in the diary) on an odd, Twilight Zone-ish note. It's never outright stated, but one understands that this strange freshwater Lagoona is the product of a wish run amok. It's assumed that the full story will play out in the upcoming 13 Wishes DVD special. Or better yet, you can take the setup given here and the included doll and use your imagination to finish the story yourself. In any case, this is very complex doll presentation, especially for a play line.





When looking at the doll, what we have here is basically Bizarro Lagoona. Many of her accessories are altered versions of the ones that came with her original signature doll. Most notable are the purse and pet. Like her first basic doll, freshwater Lagoona comes with a fishbowl purse. It's the same shape and functions exactly like the original purse, but this new one is clear and the handle is aqua instead of gold. Her pet piranha, Neptuna, is also different. She's now purple and lavender instead of the original pink and salmon.





And then we have Lagoona herself. When the promo pic for 13 Wishes Lagoona first appeared, many were shocked. To say she was divisive amongst the fanbase is an understatement. You were either excited by the prospect of such an outrageous doll, or found her tacky and downright ugly. There didn't seem to be much middle ground -- you either loved her or hated her. Personally, I thought she looked great -- so cool and unique! Although I'm not always the biggest fan of Lagoona as a character, her dolls are always among my favorites. She's one of the few characters that I have every doll of. I simply find her beautiful, and this new 13 Wishes doll is no exception.






Lagoona dolls always have lightly shimmering, glaucous skin. In freshwater form, Lagoona's skin still shimmers, but it's now a much bolder azure. Her translucent fins are a bright electric blue, much more noticeable than her usual baby blue fins. And her olive green eyes are now a primary green that contrasts nicely with the brighter blue freshwater skin. Overall, freshwater Lagoona looks a little more odd, a little more colorful, a little more monstrous, than the usual Lagoona doll.






In freshwater form, Lagoona's makeup is quite simple. She wears amethyst eyeshadow that encircles the entire eye. There's no shimmer or glitter, nor is it topped by any other colors. Her usually blue freckles are also amethyst, while her brows are the standard lavender. Most interesting is her lipcolor, a sea foam green that makes for an odd contrast with her azure skin. Even though the two colors are very different the overall effect is almost monochromatic. It looks like it could be her natural lips rather than lipstick. I love the effect!







Lagoona's hair comes in a twisted ponytail that ends about halfway down her back. She also has bangs that land in a straight line above her eyebrows. Unless I'm forgetting someone, this is the first time Lagoona has bangs that aren't sideswept. But the most unique thing about this hair is the color -- neon yellow! Over the years Lagoona's hair has varied somewhat in color, but it's always been a naturalistic shade of blonde. Her Skultimate Roller Maze doll even had a yellow shade of blonde, but it's nowhere near the brightness of this particular shade of yellow! Think a banana on acid and you're somewhere in the right vicinity. And instead of long, sporadic blue streaks like we usually see on Lagoona, here she has one lone streak -- right in the middle of her bangs and in a cool shade of mint. Very unique. What with the contrasting azure skin and neon hair, not to mention the mint streak and her makeup, there's something almost psychedelic about this Lagoona. She's just so vibrant. And we haven't even gotten to the clothes and jewelry yet!







At it's core, Lagoona's dress is really just a strapless cocktail number. Of course, this being MH, it's been gussied up into something a tad more elaborate than that. The dress has a print of alternating fuchsia, salmon, and pink diamonds containing tiny, geometric black lines. It ends at the thighs in an un-hemmed zig-zag. Attached to the bust is a right sleeve made of tiffany netting with rose sparkles. It's topped by pleated, black netting and hemmed with black thread. Under the bust is more tiffany netting that lays over the dress, opening at the front and darted on the sides. It looks like an abstract lily pad, a smart design choice that plays into the freshwater theme without being too obvious or costume-y.







Lagoona wears a pair of green goggles that feature dragonflies and blades of grass molded into the sides. Four magenta dots line the top. Black elastic holds the goggles in place, and though they can be worn over her face they look much better resting on her head, a bit like a headband. Right next to the goggles, near her bangs, a pink and yellow barrette in the shape of a flower is inserted.







Matching the goggles are translucent green wedge sandals. Fluorescent green blades of grass are molded into the wedges and also function as the strap. Lagoona's earrings are translucent pink dragonflies. These are paired with a translucent green necklace that has a tiny turtle dangling below. Her last accessory is a matching green bracelet with a turtle charm.









Overall: 13 Wishes Lagoona is a doozy of a doll! Her bright skin and neon hair are what really grab you, and have rightfully been getting the lion's share of attention from fans. But what really impresses me about this doll is the attention to detail and the consistency of the freshwater theme. Gone are all the nautical accents usually found on Lagoona dolls. Instead the focus is on, well, freshwater elements: blades of grass, dragonflies, turtles, flowers. Even though these pieces come in bright colors they still manage to feel naturalistic somehow. I think using translucent plastic for most of the jewelry plays a big part; it gives the pieces a wet, dewy look. The netting of the dress helps, too -- it's evocative of a watery lily pad, and is the base from which all the other elements stem. No one color is overpowering since they're all used in various forms spread through the entire outfit. This is an impressive doll, a shining example of why we all fell in love with Monster High in the first place. Occasionally I come across fans who say MH is losing it's touch, that the designs are becoming boring and predictable. I look at 13 Wishes Lagoona and think otherwise.







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While I was photographing Lagoona for this review I decided to grab the original Wave 1 doll for a few shots as well, just to compare how different freshwater Lagoona is from what she started out as. I also grabbed Dance Class Lagoona since she has the standard faceup, thinking it would be cool to see the three together, a sort of "Evolution of Lagoona" thing. Take a look...










15 comments:

  1. I had never even thought about the connection to lily pads! You're clever to figure that out. The dress is much prettier when you put it in that perspective. I like how her shoes give the effect of walking on (murky) water, not that it's the first time, but still.
    I think this Lagoona could give Venus a run for her money! Venus is no 'shrinking violet', but Lagoona is equally as bright & in your face.
    Great review, John. I particularly love the outdoor photos. :)

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    1. Thanks Felicity! I love that all her details are earthy -- water, flowers, grass, etc. In one of the EAH posts we talked about how Ashlynn Ella is kind of like a 60's flower child -- and I get a similar vibe from this Lagoona, but in a more colorful way than Ashlynn. Like I say in the review 13W Lagoona is very psychedelic. As for the pics, the plan was for all of them to be taken outdoors but a storm blew in while I was shooting so I had move everything indoors.

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  2. this lagoona really is what MH is all about !! im so glad to see that they have really hit the monster mark with this doll !! i have noticed that mattel has been straying from the hardcore monster theme lately and going with a more softer childish look and with this lagoona i feel they got back to the original roots, not meaning this doll is like her original doll just meaning that i feel they got back to more monster less childish like...she is definitely the one im going to try to get first out of all the new dolls... i love her !! i do love wave 1 basic lagoona she is a favorite of mine and hell lagoona is in my top 3 anyways but her very first doll is a beauty... i was curious when you lined the 3 lagoona's together, even with her you can see my bigger rounder eyes theory it really has changed the faces of all the ghouls, i wonder why mattel made this choice? once again you have done an awesome review, have you ever thought about becoming a published author... i would totally read your books !! :)

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    1. Wow, thanks Ricky! I think the only way I could ever get published is if I did it myself lol!
      I love the original Lagoona face (as I always point out, hers was the first MH doll that hooked me), but I prefer the bigger-eyes version. She looks more monstrous to me, and just a little more unique. The original face is very sweet and pretty but it also looks a bit more human imo. I'm guessing Mattel made the changes for similar reasons -- more monstrous, etc.

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  3. Ok you are kind of making me want to get her now. Enabler!! Haha...seriously another great review. Thank you for posting this.

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    1. Thank you, Christopher! I'm more than happy to enable lol! Glad you liked the review.

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  4. so i just got home from my doll hunting trip and no HTC frankie or 13 lagoona, in fact, out of all the new ones they only had GNO witch turned out to be great bc not only are they beautiful (even more so in person) but i guess they were not supposed to be put out yet bc at target the new lines take over the number of the older lines and GNO is replacing DDG at target... i just so happened to show up at the right time bc when i got there someone had just stocked the shelves and i guess the DDG space was empty except for one spectra and i could tell they just opened the GNO box bc there was 2 of each of them in the spot that DDG was supposed to be and on top of that they were on sale for $14.99 bc they were trying to move the rest of the DDG dolls off the shelves and the only way i got this info was bc after i picked my 3 dolls out of the GNO ones they had, i ask the sales guy for help bc i wanted him to see if there were any MF in stock because the website said there was and while helping me he said that the older ones would have to sell out before they phased the new ones in and so i showed him the GNO in place of DDG and he said "ohh im sorry someone stocked that by mistake, they are not supposed to put them out until they sale out of DDG" so i guess an employee brought up the wrong box and stocked the wrong item but it worked out for me bc they had to sell them to me since i had already gotten them off the shelf, so i got all 3 GNO for $14 a piece :) how awesome is that !! but also it just proves that the stores have the new dolls in back and they wait until the older ones sell more before they transition them out to the shelves so really all in all my area has probably had 13 wishes, MF, GNO, and CMC-CAM for a while now and just not have put them out yet... but im glad i went in at that exact time bc i now have GNO and they are even better in person especially rochelle, i think you will love her when you find her bc she is just beautiful her outfit is perfect and face up is great but do be careful when getting her or any new dolls for that matter bc out of the 2 rochelle's i had to chose from, on one of them her left eye was almost painted on her forehead and you could actually see the spot where her eye was supposed to be !!

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  5. i had to sign back on and tell you im very impressed with the GNO line... when i seen the promo pics i liked them but they weren't on the top of my list, i felt like something was off about them, but getting them and seeing them in person has totally changed my point of view... GNO rochelle is the best rochelle to date !! as always with rochelle she has that distant far away look about her but with that, this doll has major sex appeal but in a good way (get your mind out of the gutter people :) ) her face up is amazing and the whole line is actually better quality than i thought it was going to be and wait until you see spectra her hair is amazing instead of the normal colors it is a deep purple and has scarlet highlights and also has light purple streaks that are almost grayish and her outfit, let me tell you, her over coat is amazing !! lagoona is not to be messed with either her hair is very curly but not frizzy it actually lays in ringlets very beautiful... all in all im so glad that i came across these in person today and had a chance to get all 3 of them... in the promo pics it just looked like the colors were way off to me but im telling you in person it just looks great !!

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    1. Dude that's awesome! Congrats! :D Now I need pics! I'm glad to hear Spectra turned out great -- I'm definitely excited about her. Based on the promo pic her jacket stood out and looked really cool so I'm not surprised it's a winner. And you probably know how I feel about Rochelle -- j'adore!

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  6. Yet another wonderful review! One of the reasons I love your reviews so much is the amount of detail and thought you put into them. I mean, commenting about the pleating in the "tiffany netting", the link to a Lilly pad!?! I would have never linked the two together; I'm more like 'ooh pretty colour, pretty fabric, pretty details... OOOH!!!' whereas you dive deeper and link to imagery and symbolism that I didn't know even existed, but as soon as you had 'said' it, it made sense to me and was all "aahhh...!". So thanks once again!
    :D

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    1. Thanks, Friend! I just analyze and write what I see! I think I'm probably too analytical in general, but I guess I've found a way to make it work for me, at least when it comes to dolls lol. Glad you enjoy the reviews!

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  7. I'm not very fond on straight bangs on dolls, they tend to look like a broom (ehrm, if you know what I mean. I'm bad with metaphors), but here it works, and very well. The "ponytail" is magnificient. Basic Lagoona is one of my favourite dolls ever (Oops, my Lagoona fangirl side is showing :P ), but I have to admit that the more monstrous vibe from this one has me hooked.

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    1. I absolutely get what you mean. And it's totally true. I don't always like bangs, but on the right doll (such as this Lagoona) they really can add so much. I honestly can't imagine this doll without those bangs. Especially since they have that fantastic mint streak. Actually, I think it would've been cool if half her hair had been mint, so that when it was twisted in the ponytail it would be neon yellow and mint wrapping around each other. But maybe that would've been too bright/bold? Oh and fangirl out all you want -- Lagoona is worthy of it!

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  8. As I said in one of my other comments, I ultimately have mixed feelings about this Lagoona. However, I do wholeheartedly agree that her design is very original and exemplifies what makes MH so unique. I am definitely a fan of her dress and earrings; as you said, the dress is themed without being too literal. She photographs very well in the outdoors. Thank you for another excellent, detailed review!

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    1. Thanks Eric! I wish I could've taken all the photos outside -- this Lagoona definitely belongs outdoors. A little sidenote: obviously Cleo comes with the Oasis playset, but I actually think Lagoona looks a bit more natural with it. I don't know if it's her color scheme or overall "wateriness" but I definitely like Lagoona paired with the set.

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