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M'Kyuun

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  1. M'Kyuun
    Beyond nostalgia, I really don't get the desire to own those old bricks, especially for the price. I solely prefer a modern interpretation, generalized in Generations, or in a more complex and high-end form like MP, as long as it has a decent range of articulation. One of the main reasons why I didn't buy a lot of TFs as a kid was the lack of articulation in most of the toys- I didn't want a collection of statues; I wanted something that could be posed and played with. And speaking of Generations, I stopped by Wally today to see if they had the rest of the PotP Terrorcons, and much to my delight, they did. So, having messed about with them for about an hour, and forming the obligatory Abominus, or as close to it as I could get without visual reference, I'm pretty happy with them. They all individually have the standard deluxe articulation. My Cutthroat's beast mode head comes off of its pegs very easily, as well as his lower jaw. I'm thinking maybe the head was being pressed upon in the package, thus widening it a little so that it comes off so easily. Or it's a shite design. Anyway, something to be aware of if any of you pick these guys up. Overall, though, my copies all seemed to have pretty tight joints overall, and everything holds together well in gestalt mode. The Combiner feet are really small, but they do have ratcheted ankle tilts, so some decent poses are possible with Abominus. Using Hun-Gurrr's arms as Combiner legs, and imbuing them with strong ratchets was a smart choice, and it works well. I generally don't consult instructions for my TF toys, however, I wasn't sure who went where on Abominus, so I sought some form of reference. Hasbro delivers, but it's not a reference of the toy you have in your hands, but a stylized G1 version of him where Hun-Gurrr's legs formed the gestalt's legs as well, and the hands and feet are different and much more proportionally correct. Go figure. Anyway, Hasbro was good enough to label each of the Terrorcons in that bit of art, so that's how I put mine together. Having waited for these guys awhile, and being content with the current standards of build and design in the TR/PotP line (not like it's going to improve any time soon), I'm happy with them. They do what they're intended to do pretty well, they're nice updates to the original toys (I wish they gave the creature modes more articulation, but they're all better than the upcoming Predacons, so I'll take what I can get in mass retail figs), Hun-Gurrr is arguably the best core figure of any of the combiners to date, and they succeed as fun transforming toys intended for kids in the neighborhood of ten years old. They're far and away better than the Transformers I had at 13, so I'm just glad that they're done as well, and with as much homaging of the originals as they are.
  2. M'Kyuun
    Since you mention it, yeah, it is kinda funny that few of the 3Ps are producing CHUG scaled toys, tending towards the MP. In my mind, it'd be a fun scale to work in, or even the voyager scale. Guess MP is the popular choice in China and Japan.
  3. M'Kyuun
    I agree, however, I must admit I like quite a few of the TR and some of the PotP figures, most specifically the deluxes. But in terms of overall quality, build, design, Animated , and perhaps a few of the Prime figures, were the last of Hasbro's higher quality mass retail offerings. From Combiner Wars and Robots in Disguise onward, things got simplified and overall quality took a depressing downward turn.
  4. M'Kyuun
    It would be awesome if they could figure out a way to have him become either the tetrajet or an F-15. However, kudos for achieving a good tetrajet mode from his F-15 bot. While it's not my cup of tea, I wish MAAS every success with the Kickstarter, as I'm sure there are plenty of TF fans who want this. Those FPJ Warbots remind me of the Acid Rain toys. Pretty cool.
  5. M'Kyuun
    Interesting, although it sounds like its written at the same level as Robots in Disguise, i.e. aimed at the younger crowd. However, if they can do for this what they did for Animated, I'm already a fan. I like the mix of G1 with newer characters, or at least newer interpretations. (looking at Shockwave and his personality carryover from Prime). I didn't watch RID, but I own about a dozen of the toys, as some were quite innovative and interesting, especially Bisk, Thunderhoof, and Scorponok. They're fun figures. Edit: Just found a few images of Cyberverse toys. Yeesh, the warrior class look very simplified, moreso than even the RID figures. I may give the show a look, but I hope its not as dumbed down as the corresponding figures. Not feeling the Force with these.
  6. M'Kyuun
    $330 is a bit much, indeed. I have Primal, Cheetor, and Dinobot on PO (he's a bit steep, too), and I'd love to have Megatron as well. But yeesh. Hopefully, some of the Japanese sites will have slightly better pricing, b/c yeah, they're pricing me out of the game.
  7. M'Kyuun
    I saw it a couple weekends ago. The first film is one of my all time favorite animated films- it checked all the boxes. So, my anticipation for this film was pretty high. It was ok, but felt like a sequel. It lacked the heart of the first film, just going for action and laughs. Honestly, I think the first film was funnier, too. Jack-Jack and his menagerie of powers was often at the core of the humor in the new film. I did like the focus on Elasti-Girl and her role in the film; it was a bit of irony that the more mature audience members could relate to. I was hoping for some deeper coming-of-age stuff, especially for Violet. It was touched on, but not really in any kind of meaningful way. I think Brad Bird just wanted to make a lighter film this go round. It was a fun film, the banter was witty, the relationships still as we remember them from the first film, but not as emotionally invested as the first, which IMHO, was a significant reason why that film set itself apart, and arguably above, other American animated films. Given its box-office success, I hope Disney greenlights Incredibles 3, and Brad writes a more mature, emotionally invested script with a more challenging, if threatening, villain. Syndrome's goading Mr. Incredible to kill his assistant still stands out as particularly dark scene for a Disney film, and the scene where Mr. Incredible admits he's not strong enough to live without his family still chokes me up.
  8. M'Kyuun
    Kuma, and anyone else who owns Ocular Max Jaguar, be aware that the front paws are intended to be slid off their pegs during transformation, as the pegs are 'T' shaped, and can break under the stress of snapping them on and off. There was a warning in my instructions calling this out, and I thought I'd pass it along. I can also recommend the Toyhax/Repro labels for this guy, as it adds much needed detail, especially in his cassette mode. I found him to be too plain straight out of the box. One caveat if you do; the rotating plates behind his shoulders can rub against the decals, as the tolerances are pretty tight, so patience and care are requisite. Worth it though, IMHO. I can also recommend Furor and the red cassette dude (forgot his name). Just a really solid figure with lots of articulation, a decently complex transformation for a figure this size, and looks good (better in scale) next to his MP brethren. MMC did a great job with it. Can't say I feel the same about Volture and Buzzard, although they're ok. I'm not crazy about their feet/legs, and the wingtips are held together by tiny magnets, which have a tendency to fall off on mine. I've had to glue several in place on my copies. The joints on mine aren't the tightest, either. While Jaguar and Furor feel like premium toys in hand, I can't say the same for the condors. Edit: And by way of confirmation, the MP cassettes are the same size as the original G1- they can all fit in both G1 Soundwave and his MP counterpart. By extension, it stands to reason that they all fit in G1 Blaster as well. Sadly, Has/Tak made neither Titans Return Blaster's nor Soundwave's chests compatible with the cassettes as they should sit normally. You can, however, slide them into the cavernous slot in their chests intended for the gadget bots, which were designed to replace the anachronistic cassettes. IMHO, it's a really unfortunate lost opportunity to make these new figs cross-compatible and utilize one of the coolest gimmicks in the franchise.
  9. M'Kyuun
    Good question for LEGO directly. In Japan, Voltron was originally called Beast King GoLion, or at least the portion that featured the Lions in the American adaptation. It would follow that LEGO, a global brand, would be savvy about such things, especially since they had to purchase a license to use the Voltron name and likeness. I have no experience to speak from, but I'd assume LEGO tailors its packaging according to the languages of its various markets, as it seems illogical and insensitive to assume everyone reads and understands English, and in this case, is familiar with an American adaptation of a Japanese property. During my two years in Okinawa, I never purchased any LEGO off-base. In retrospect, I don't recall seeing LEGO in the hobby store near Kadena, and I never did any shopping in Naha, which would have been a better market. This was back in 1990-91, and LEGO has expanded quite a bit since then. If we have any Japanese residents here, they may be able to provide a better answer, as I'm sure word is out that this is coming soon.
  10. M'Kyuun
    I confess I've never read any of his fiction, but over the years, having been a life long sci-fi fan who's watched any number of docs and commentaries, the picture I have of Mr. Ellison is that he was brilliant, contentious, and, if provoked, which he seemingly was quite easily, could be downright vicious with the written word. He wasn't a big man, but he had big ideas and the talent to convey them in his writing. While his tiff with Gene Rodenberry over The City on the Edge of Forever script tends to be what most folks remember him for, he contributed to a number of sci-fi shows in his career. Much like Dick, I imagine his work will be more celebrated since his passing. Alas, another forward thinker lost to the cosmos.
  11. M'Kyuun
    As for the ship in a bottle, the original submission featured a larger, more detailed ship. LEGO's version is greatly simplified. For modding Voltron, I'd keep an eye out for Kelvin Low's inevitable mod. He did a really nice bit of modding on the Hulkbuster. On Flickr, he goes by Chubbybots.
  12. M'Kyuun
    Trying to make sense of the senseless will only lead to circular reasoning and ultimate insanity. In a real scenario, from the time of Hammond's first park until the 'present', much like Malcolm predicted, many of the dinos, esp those that can swim or fly, would have eventually made it off one of those islands to mainland somewhere. Life finds a way, after all. I saw it last weekend, and, at face value, it's meh. Other than my utter awe at seeing the original film for the first time, seeing those lifelike dinos at a time when they had previously been stop-motion and blue screened, the JP series just hasn't really enthralled me that much. I did like Jurassic World. I don't overthink it. That said, several things stuck out to me in this movie that caused irritation:
  13. M'Kyuun
    I guess I can understand nostalgia as a driving force for wanting these old toys, but personally, I'd take a modern Arcadia 1/60 VF-1 with improved aesthetics and poseability any day. I can't argue with the fact that the old Takas were built like tanks and fun to transform, though. Guess that's the appeal. For Silverstreak, you have two UCS Millennium Falcons to choose from now. I haven't looked at pricing for the original, although prior to the new improved UCS Falcon, prices were pretty high. The new set is priced at $800 USD, with 7541 pieces. I imagine prices on the original have tapered since the new release.
  14. M'Kyuun
    Yea, I noticed those tail fins, too, but forgot to comment on them due to my disgust with BL's back legs. Been looking at Lendy Tayag's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CreationsByLendy/ His original submission is indeed far superior. And, your observation that LEGO continues to make greater changes to submissions, nearly to the point where they look nothing like the original, is valid, sadly so in several cases. One notable exception is the Saturn V, which was markedly improved over the original submission, and just a great set to build and display. I wish that same improvement had been applied to Voltron. C'mon LEGO, we need better joints, and this would have been a fertile proving ground. Wasted opportunity. Alas, by its very nature, LEGO lends itself to modding. Just wish it wasn't necessary.
  15. M'Kyuun
    Thanks for the heads-up, Mark-1s. I've been strongly anticipating this set since its approval was announced, hoping that LEGO would do some revolutionary design work with this guy. It looks really nice, but, much like their UCS Hulkbuster set, it looks like they skimped on articulation in the knees and ankles (hips had to be articulated for Black Lion). I think they did a great job on the 'sculpting', though- the individual lions look good, with the exception of Black Lion's back legs, an obvious concession to stability. So, mixed feelings. This set offered an opportunity for LEGO to up its game, and perhaps produce some new, much-desired heavier-duty joints for larger mecha. In short, I considered it a gateway towards that end for them, and with mecha becoming more prevalent in both licensed and unlicensed sets, this was an excellent opportunity to create something truly above and beyond anything they've done in this genre thus far. I'm still going to get it, but I can't help feeling disappointed as well. Some modding may be in order. Len_d69 did a great job with his proportionality and with achieving all-around functionality for both interlocking the Lions and preserving articulation throughout in his submission. I very much wish LEGO had taken more cues in these areas.
  16. M'Kyuun
    Liking him, Kuma?
  17. M'Kyuun
    Even though I don't like the design, it's not so much a shellformer as a turn-inside out former, which involves some clever engineering. It's incredibly clean in both modes, so I give credit where it's due. I didn't think it transformed at all from the initial bot pics. Pretty impressive.
  18. M'Kyuun
    That makes two of us. I had had designs on picking up a couple of the Studio Series figures, especially Blackout, but having had them in my hands, I just have no interest anymore. I just don't like the aesthetic, and the upcoming Bumblebee Movie doesn't improve my outlook- it's still Bayverse, just shard-lite. Show me a movie where he looks more like Generations, G1 MP, or Alternators, then I'll be interested. But, for the folks who like Bayformers, I'm glad there are figures out there for you, too. I realize not everyone is a G-Oner. That said, that G1 Prime facing off against Bayformer Prime looks nice- reminds me of MP-01. The shopped photos of OP V3 above look alright, although the gaps in his torso are still pretty obvious. Think I like the center pic best- the darker red and blue stand out, and the head looks better to me. Finally scored a copy of TR Blitzwing, who I previously, and most regrettably, passed on in the store. Not sure why I passed on it ; he's easily my favorite of the triple changers, so he should have been a no-brainer purchase. Anyway, I have him now, and I'm loving him- it's not perfect, but still a pretty damned good update of the G1 toy, and just a fun figure to mess around with and transform. As much as I like the previous Generations Blitzwing, with the new figure, there's a better balance between jet and tank as afar as realism goes, and it's far more solid across all three modes. Glad I finally got him.
  19. M'Kyuun
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/former-toys-r-us-ceo-works-to-reboot-the-retailer/ar-AAz9nRf?ocid=spartanntp
  20. M'Kyuun
    Why do I get a feeling that the whole front of his truck mode folds up onto his back? It almost seems like they made the new Optimus torso, and then created a cabover shell around it. Looking forward to transformation vids; I'm thinking there's going to be a lot of panel origami on this figure. The legs look good, though, as well as overall proportions (glad the ape arms are fixed). I'm thinking the top of his cab area in bot mode is going to be similar to MP Megatron's torso with all the folded stuff visible rather than a nice smooth cab roof. Not my preference, but not a deal-breaker either.
  21. M'Kyuun
    Whatever legal actions these former employees take, I hope they come out victorious. They were robbed of their jobs/careers/retirements, we as a country lost an institution, and the bastards behind the fall of TRU walked away with impunity. Reminds me of the mortgage shenanigans from back around 2008 or so.
  22. M'Kyuun
    Sorry to hear about the delay, Kuma. Hopefully, all will work out, and he'll be in front of your camera by week's end. I think you'll dig him. I have him posing with my other Decepticons in my living room, and it still gives warm fuzzies to look at him. MMC did an amazing job. Of course, I must confess bias, as he's my favorite of the cassettes, and the cassettes are some of my favorite Transformer designs. Saying that, I still fence-sat for this guy for about a year before committing. Money well spent, IMHO. Love him. I sprung for the Toyhax labels, which improves his cassette mode immensely, although he's rarely in tape mode, admittedly. Other than his neck, which is limited by virtue of the design, in all other respects he's just a very dynamically poseable figure. I think you'll have fun doing a shoot with him. I hope so, and look forward to any galleries you share. Again, best wishes to you, and hope all works out satisfactorily.
  23. M'Kyuun
    Just visited our local store today, probably for the last time, as they're within about 60 days of final closure. LEGO and Transformers are my hobbies, and they had neither. It was a sad feeling to walk through the store, as I have bought any number of LEGO sets there over the years, and often looked forward to their exclusives. Even on visits when I didn't make a purchase, I always enjoyed just walking around the store. There used to be a cashier who always remembered us when we came in, and though she left the area several years ago, those memories remain as well. It's extremely disheartening to see a homegrown business that soared to such great heights under the leadership of its founder fall asunder so poorly due to mismanagement of finances by its new owners. I'm glad the name will remain alive in other countries, but it's lamentable that it died an unseemly death in its home. I'm going to miss Toys R Us.
  24. M'Kyuun
    If this puts you off, you'll be even less impressed with their take on Red Alert (Recon). Lots of liberties with the car mode. Personally, I'm not crazy about it; I think Steamroll looks much better, but there are still niggles I have with bot mode, particularly those long plain shins. It just needs some texture, or a little color- something to break up that black plank beyond the silver trapezoids at the knee. I'm thinking TT will likely make an upgrade for Sideswipe in the near future; he was their first MP car bot, and placing Sunstreaker next to him illuminates how far they've come with the engineering. The plus side is that Sideswipe won't need the additional car transformation, so they should be able to turn out a much more svelte bot. But, as Kuma says, Steamroll is a nice looking stand-in, and just seems like a fun figure on its own. While the wide chest of MP Sideswipe doesn't bother me as much as other folks, I think BC's solution was eloquently incorporated, as it has little impact on either mode beyond the intended aesthetic. That Pointblank looks lovely; never had the original, but as a kid, I used to often peruse the toy brochures that came with TFs and I remember always liking his design, both bot and car. I hope Has/Tak do the Targetmasters as part of PotP, and this guy makes the lineup.
  25. M'Kyuun
    Films like this, and I'll argue the Incredibles, cater far more to a more mature audience. Kids like the visuals, all the bright colors, music, and the humor, but most kids under 10 or so probably don't pick up on the mature themes- losing a loved one, or, in Bob Parr's case, not having the strength, despite his super strength, to handle losing his family. Those themes hit emotional buttons that I don't think kids can really understand. Heck, even the Kung Fu Panda movies, esp the first two, stir the emotional pot. I'm glad, in the case of the Dragon movies, that the writers didn't water down those themes. The actors did a great job really conveying emotion and feeling, and it elevates the movies beyond kid-fare, for which I'm appreciative, as being an anime fan, I've long understood that mature themes can be explored in animation, and the emotion still carries despite whether the characters are real, drawn, or created in a computer. That said, I hope Dragon 3 carries the tradition forward.
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