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M'Kyuun

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  1. M'Kyuun
    True in the past, for sure, but their presentation at NY Toy Fair this year seemed to indicate a shift in thought concerning their target audiences for future toys. They acknowledged that %30 of their market are adult collectors, and indicated that the Generations(Classics) line is primarily targeted more at the adult fans, which makes sense to me, since they're homaging 30 yr old characters that this generation of kids know only by proxy or the vapid reuse of old characters' names. Unfortunately, I doubt we'll see the bump in quality we'd like to see in Generations, as far as the elimination of hollow areas and lack of other features and such that would make a good toy great. The 3P folks are at an advatage: they design the best toy they can, and then slap a price on it, which is often double or triple what we'd pay for a similarly scaled official toy. That's the tradeoff. Overall, though, I've been mostly pleased with alot of the recent Generations toys; I wasn't so much into the CW stuff, which evidenced a lot of money-saving tactics to be able to bring them to market affordably. I'd love to see complexity and quality rise back to the levels we saw in the 2007-2012 timeframe. When I say complexity, I don't mean it as complexity for complexity's sake, but rather adding more hinged parts where they'll improve aesthetics or transformation, more articulation points, double elbows and knees, better molds that cover large hollow areas, better and more paint apps on American releases- all things that we've gotten in the past (relative to current releases), and that an older discerning fanbase expect. In terms of both the MP line, and many of the 3P G1 toys, Has/Tak are competing for the adult market, under much greater constraints.
  2. M'Kyuun
    Just posted my distatste for the VA-3 in the "next from Arcadia" thread, and out of a masochistic sense of curiosity, I went looking for images of models of the thing to see how it would look actualized in 3 dimensions. That search brought me here. I have to say, it's refreshing what an amazing paint job will do for objects that otherwise defy beauty. Lovely work, AgaveCacuts. I wish I had an iota of your skill. Anyway, I noticed that this thread was abandoned in 2014, without revealing the battroid and GERWALK modes. I doubt I'm the only one here who'd like to see them.
  3. M'Kyuun
    Blech! What ever happened to that vomiting emoticon?! Honestly, I think this is hands down Kawamori-san's fugliest Macross design. But it does have uniqueness in its corner. Just the same, unless Arcadia could make it so gloriously cool that it transcends its own eyesore-ness, I think I'd have to pass. I don't think I could look at that every day without feeling equal parts of remorse and disgust. I'd sure love to have a high end Variable Glaug, though. They could pump that out in several color variations as well, for maximum investment. And the VF-14. I want some 'Space Pope" in my life!
  4. M'Kyuun
    Y'know Alan Moore might be a brilliant writer, but he never fails to come across as a jaded a-hole. This film couldn't ask for a better group of people working on it. I'm ashamed to admit I've never read the graphic novel, but its pedigree precedes it, and I'm very much looking forward to its release.
  5. M'Kyuun
    Both look good to me, and will eventually take up residence on my CHUG shelves. I wish they were making regular cassettes for Blaster, as I'd love more updated cassette figs, but I guess today's kids wouldn't relate. Too bad, as it was an awesome gimmick. My Shockwave shipped from HLJ, so I'm looking forward to having him in hand sometime this week. (I love EMS, def worth the extra expense). I'm generally not a fan of battery powered toys, primarily b/c of battery seepage, and sacrifices to the toy for electronics space allotment, but I do wish that a soundcard had been incorporated, as the silent blinking seems incomplete. Those old sound effects would have been nice, and sound better than any "pew-pew-ing" I can do. Michael Winslow, I am not.
  6. M'Kyuun
    Over at TFW2005, there's a rumor that the next MP will be Astrotrain. http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/04/01/masterpiece-33-astrotrain-312253 If true, it'll be interesting to see the first triple changer in the MP line.
  7. M'Kyuun
    I'd forgotten about the Alternity line, which are basically Binaltech at a smaller scale. I agree %100 that the MP line should be at least on par, if not better, in quality as the Alternity figures. It's quite odd that they're not, esp when MP-10 at least has rubber tires. Why not the rest? Die-cast I can honestly live without simply for the fact that primarily all-plastic construction takes less of a toll on joints over time. Metal feels good in the hand, but paint chipping and weight are big detractors. I'd nearly forgotten about the stickers for Shockwave. That was a decision most fecal, IMHO. I wish they'd just decided on a spot and tampoed it. Regardless of whether they tampographed or issued stickers, people are going to complain; however, the tampo is certainly more polished than a sticker, and would make for much better presentation on a high end toy. Just confirmed shipping of my MP Shockwave with HLJ, along with a couple items from PW. He'll be Guardian of My Living Room next week!
  8. M'Kyuun
    Unfortunately, very true, and very evident in what should be their premium line of figures. I'd rather they worked the opposite way; design an awesome figure, determine what small factors can be cut or simplified and still maintain quality, and set a price. I keep Binaltech Jazz and Silverstreak on display in my mancave, and those figures have a far more 'masterpiece' feel to them with good paint, lots of die-cast, rubber tires, working steering, opening doors and hoods, detailed cabin, and plenty of realistic detail at a larger scale. Moreover, these two figures in particular had really good articulation, esp for the time period. These 12 year old toys have heft and a very quality feel to them that I just don't get when handling a modern MP car. Far too many cuts for the sake of reducing costs and meeting price points have been made.
  9. M'Kyuun
    I wish they'd found a solution to the white robot thighs being visible on the backs of his ape mode legs. Also wish they'd made his bot toe fold flush into the calf detente like the original toy instead of folding it under in his ape mode, and found a way to make his neck flex so that he can look straight ahead when hunched in ape mode. It looks good, but more Generations good than what I would have expected from a MP level toy. Sad to say, there are a few things the original toy did better. Think I'll hold off on POing him and wait for a potential sale.
  10. M'Kyuun
    Agree with KB's spoiler statement. Two very different people whose backgrounds have colored their worldview, but maintain a mutual respect, neither greater nor lesser than the other. Negotiator: Wonder Woman was presented so well in this movie; can't wait to see her in her own movie. Since comparisons to the Marvel movies are unavoidable, I'm glad that DC aren't copying them, but taking a darker, grittier path with their films. Even the DC animated films have been darker and more mature than the Marvel films, both live action and animated, at least the ones that I've seen. I very much enjoy the levity within the Marvel films...they've done an excellent job overall with writing the various characters, and it works really well. To that end, if DC were to copy that, esp with Affleck's experienced and jaded Batman (who by this point has lost a great deal in terms of friends and property), I just don't think it would come off as believable... or desirable. If one wants to see more light-hearted DC fare, watch the Keaton/Reeves movies, the old '66 Batman show, the Wonder Woman show , or Arrow, Flash, and Supergirl. There's a bit of cheek in these shows, but all are enjoyable in their own rights. However in the current films, with Batman poised to be front and center in an eventual Justice League, I think Snyder's set the right atmosphere. I just disagree with superheroes taking lives when its their obligation to save them, often at personal cost. I've been pondering MoS and BvS for about an hour or so since I originally posted, and I recall criticisms of Costner's Jonathan Kent. I believe they took issue with his advice to suppress and hide what he can do to live a normal 'human' life. This sentiment was echoed by Martha in BvS, and I think its a relevant conversation, esp from a parent. By putting himself out there, he invites not just praise, but also the darker intentions of humanity, and those things are demonstrated in this movie. Clark would be no less a hero if he just joined the Smallville Volunteer Fire Dept, keeping a low profile, but still saving lives. I like the dynamic he has with the Kents in MoS and BvS: from a parent's POV, it's realistic, and I'm sure the parents of firemen, law enforcement, and military folks all around the world can sympathize. Although he's nigh-indestructible, he still shares many of the same vulnerabilities with us Earthlings, and I'm glad we see him leaning on Lois and his mom. It gives him common ground with the rest of us.
  11. M'Kyuun
    I don't quite understand all the vitriol for this movie, either. It was perfect by no means, but it told some decent stories, had some good action scenes, brilliantly introduced Diana, Princess of Themyscira, offered a plausible reason for the eponymous conflict, and all the major players delivered good performances. I include Jesse Eisenberg in that assessment; even though I didn't care for Luthor Jr's erratic swings from genius to lunatic, Eisenberg gave a convincing performance. I blame Snyder and the writers for such an un-Luthorish portrayal more than the actor taking direction. I thought the Super-nazis were a brilliant bit of paranoia, if not a tad ironic, given that Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel were both of the Jewish faith. While the dream sequences took a moment of realization, I thought they were implemented well in hindsight. They give insight, and they doubtless will seem as disjointed upon second viewing. As for criticisms, for both MoS and BvS, my entire history of these characters via cartoons, games, and previous movies have etched in my mind an extraordinarily high regard for life for both, which I think is fitting and elemental to who they are and what they represent as heroes. (I've never read the comics) I can accept a high level of brutality, esp from Batman, since bullets will kill him and he needs to take measures to level the playing field, but his no-kill stance makes him better than those he fights. Not so much in the Snyderverse, for either. The other issue I have is that both Batman and Superman traditionally put public safety as paramount, and generally go to lengths to move the fight away from populated areas. Again in both MoS and BvS, not so much. This betrayal of what I feel is an unassailable and central character trait for both Batman and Superman is my primary negative critique of BvS and MoS. All other criticisms are minor next to this, in my opinion, and Snyder's disregard hurts these films more than any other factor. A minor critique: Doomsday, of whom I knew absolutely nothing due to my ignorance of the comics, just seemed like another big generic CG monstrosity to give the heroes something to unite against. However, from reading the various spoilers, he and the finale are taken directly from the comics. And, the Batmobile is apparently indestructible, save for the dual canopies ( but then again, the Batmobile is nearly always represented as being a nearly indestructible vehicle, so I let it pass. I liked the chase scene and all the car's gadgetry at work )
  12. M'Kyuun
    Amen to that!
  13. M'Kyuun

    Bandai DX VF-31

    M'Kyuun replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    What's ironic is that as Kawamori moves into the future with Macross, his valk designs are becoming more retro, based off of older fighters. Granted, there were a lot of pretty fighters from the 60's, 70's, and 80's, and I still like seeing them creatively redesigned into transformable mecha. Aesthetically, it's a practical choice, since nearly everything today has stealth attributes built in, giving many planes and UAVs a similar look. It's a look I like, personally, but I can see its limitations artistically. Delta 02 looks amazing, and the art on its upper fuselage is very reminiscent of older warplanes. When I worked at Hurlburt Field, I used to see the guys airbrushing the Spectre noseart on the old Spooky AC-130 gunships, and later on the AC-130Us. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AC-130_AZRAEL_Angel_of_Death.jpg%C2'> Delta 02's helmed skull is a cool anachronism that has sadly become a scarcity in the modern USAF. I can't speak for our sister services.
  14. M'Kyuun
    Saw it today, and enjoyed it. I'm with the crowd that wasn't crazy about Eisenberg's Luthor- he's more Joker than Lex, IMO. But then, if I followed correctly, he's actually Lex Luthor Jr., so the serious businessman and rival of Superman is, I guess, dearly departed and his socially-inept lunatic son runs the company. I had huge misgivings about Affleck, but I liked him as both Wayne and Batman, and Irons was excellent as Alfred. I also like Cavill's Superman, and I like the exploration of various viewpoints concerning this godlike being among us and the questions his existence raises. Some nice cameos along these lines. I loved the grittiness of Batman, and the Arkham Asylum vibe was strong-a good thing, IMO. Prior to this movie, I'd never heard of Gal Gadot, but she owned nearly every scene she was in. Lovely girl. Moreover, while there were scowls aplenty from the male characters fighting, Wonder Woman would take a hit, recover, and give us a little smile. Battle is her element, and Gadot did a good job of projecting that. Those were my favorite scenes in the movie. I liked the JL tie-in stuff, although the Flash casting raised an eyebrow. Still, I liked what I saw enough to want to see where they take it.
  15. M'Kyuun
    I figure, either way, you're not procuring a high end Garland for less than $300, so you may as well be mentally and financially prepared. I think the choice will come down to whether you want a die-cast figure or a mostly plastic figure.
  16. M'Kyuun
    I'd also like a MP G1 Trailbreaker, but I hope, if and when they make him, that they engineer his hood area to flush with the edge of his windshield to mitigate the 'beer belly' effect. I also hope that, unlike the CHUG version, his forcefield generator can retract and conceal in his truck mode. Ultimately, I just hope that he gets eventually gets a MP figure; I always liked his character more than his character design, which could use a bit of tweaking to improve his bot's appearance. I like the IDW reinterpretation, but the old G1 fan in me wants the original character in updated ABS glory. This mod of the CHUG Trailbreaker is in line for what I'd like a MP Trailbreaker to look like, albeit with his original truck mode: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/999575-why-did-people-hate-deluxe-generations-trailbreaker-16.html It would have been cool of TT to engineer the toy to be changed to this config out of the box.
  17. M'Kyuun
    Per Lonely Soldier Boy, Yamato's was approx 20 cm or 8", and the Fewture version is 25cm, or 9.8" in height. Not much difference. Given the amount of die-cast in this thing, I have to wonder how it'll hold up over time. While it feels good in the hand, and gives nice heft, it also takes its toll on plastic joints. And then there's paint to worry about chipping or wearing.
  18. M'Kyuun

    Bandai Sv-262 DX valk

    M'Kyuun replied to seti88's topic in Toys

    Well, good not only for the wallet, but for making any necessary tweaks and improvements. Hopefully, too, Bandai scope the various forums to see what folks are saying about early pics, and making adjustments, as well. Since only the fighter has been shown for the -262, it's a bit difficult to nitpick it too much. The fighter looks pretty smooth overall from what I've seen. Still can't believe that no battroid pics have leaked; those must be some fiendishly enforced NDAs at Bandai and their factories. As for the -31, I hope the forearms are tweaked to add a little bulk, but I digress.
  19. M'Kyuun
    HLJ has the PO for 37810 yen. That little discount doesn't soften the blow. Still, the thing looks gorgeous, and I'd love to have at least one decent Garland toy. The paint job and metallic finishes have me nigh to drooling. I think I'll exercise restraint, though, for a review, and hopefully, it'll go on sale for around $200 sometime later this year. Hey, a guy can dream. However, if reviews agree that this thing is solid top to bottom, I may just pay the asking price just to have it. But then again, if they make the Proto-Garland .... I'd rather have that. Damn my first world dilemma! But yeah, these toy prices are becoming nigh-prohibitive these days, unless you work three jobs, eat ramen full-time, and have no life outside of collecting.
  20. M'Kyuun
    Working treads on a transforming toy is fantastic, and Toyworld did a great job implementing them on their Bonecrusher and Scavenger figures. I wish more official treaded TFs had them.
  21. M'Kyuun

    Bandai DX VF-31

    M'Kyuun replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    They look pretty good, but those super skinny forearms don't, esp in that GERWALK shot where the fist looks bigger than the arm. They look more proportional in the artwork.
  22. M'Kyuun
    Watched the Willis review vid. He's a decent figure, but I hope when Takara get around to making an official Hound, they'll find a way to collapse his front fenders or give his arms clearance around them. I still think CHUG Hound is the best toy ever made of the character, even if it's not G1 accurate. It's just an exceedingly well designed and highly articulated figure.
  23. M'Kyuun
    The narcissistic jerk approach to the character is awesome. Glad to see that he's the same Batman we got in The LEGO Movie. Hopefully, this'll spawn a few good sets as well.
  24. M'Kyuun
    I've never owned a G1 Shockwave, and I can't recall if I've ever even had the opportunity to handle the toy, so he's a must for me. I wish he were more in line with the changes we've been discussing, but overall, I like it. I hope MP Megs isn't too far behind. Moreover, aside from Soundwave and his cassettes, Shockwave is only the second new Decepticon mold in the MP renewal line. MP Megatron is long overdue; it bugs me that Takara didn't develop MP-10 and a new MP Megatron simultaneously. It would have been a cool start to a new line, with successive near simultaneous releases of an Autobot and Decepticon for display balance. As for Optimus Primal, I'll likely get him, but he's not as refined as I'd hoped he'd be, esp for a MP figure. He looks like a mainline leader or voyager Generations fig to me, really not much better than Rhinox (who I think was done exceptionally well), Rattrap, or Waspinator. I wish they'd release him as such instead of branding him under the MP line, thus justifying a greater price tag. I really, really wish they'd gone the avenue of the customizers I posted previously, using faux fur to make him actually look like an animal. That's the step up that would have dilineated him from his retail Maximals.
  25. M'Kyuun
    Looks lovely; not so much the pricetag.
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