Jump to content

M'Kyuun

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    5064

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by M'Kyuun

  1. M'Kyuun
    So would I. That's incredibly well done.
  2. M'Kyuun
  3. M'Kyuun
    None of the Bay films make it on my 'good' list- foreign dog crap on my lawn has more value, as it at least serves a nutritional factor for the grass. Bay's Transformers films are empty spectacle devoid of passion or knowledge of the subject matter, whose only positive is that they make the featured cars look good. Bay started out as a commercial director, and that's how scenes of cars and women feel- like they're products to be salivated over. I continue to question his selection to direct movies based on a franchise for which he had absolutely no association. It certainly shows. I wish they'd tapped Travis Knight from the beginning, as I think the trajectory and content of the films would have been radically different, and based on Bumblebee, and the juggling he had to do between making it a prequel and a stand-alone as the producers waffled, far, far better than any of the soulless Bay films. As it stands, it's both prequal and semi-stand-alone, as the Bayverse elements are unfortunately inescapable. I fear the same will happen with Rise of the Beasts, as Hasbro seems reluctant to let go, and Bumblebee's success emboldened them (IMHO, the Bee Movie was successful not b/c of it's Baylike qualities, but for stuff that eschews everything 'Bay' like the Cybertronian scenes and the heart put into it by the actors/writers and director). Not sure if Hasbro sees it that way, but as long as they can milk the Bayformer teat, they're gonna try to drain it dry. More's the pity for those of us who've been in it since 1984 and love the true premise and characters that started the whole thing. As an aside, I have seen Awake on Netflix, and it was a decent sci-fi pandemic film where people lose the ability to sleep, with very rare exceptions, and the resulting mental decline creates havoc and terror as only humans are capable. Good performance by Gina Rodriguez as a mom trying to keep her kids safe.
  4. M'Kyuun
    Dismayed that it's still being tied to the abysmal Bayverse, at least by timeline, although I suspect it'll share more ties, just as Bumblebee did. I was hoping that the new spate of films would break entirely from Bayverse to establish their own look and feel, but I get the sense that Hasbro's playing it safe by keeping everything live action anchored by some degree to the Bay films. For the record, I liked Bumblebee; it's the only live action TF movie that I like, that I even consider watchable, but it's not without its flaws, and ultimately, it still shares a lot of aesthetics with Bayverse, especially Bee's face. But it was a step in the right direction so far as taking more care to treat the Transformer characters as such rather than just one dimensional props. As a Beast Wars fan, I'm quite wary as to how they're going to take these characters that existed in a time period long before modern humans and only had interactions amongst themselves, mostly, and put them in a modern day setting. Are they going to be much smaller so that they needn't mass shift when transforming? What will be the purpose for their having taken on beast modes, especially if said modes aren't organic in nature, with the purpose of protecting them from some environmental factor that can harm them otherwise? Having them be obviously robotic creatures appeals to me, but it beggars the question of why when there's no apparent reason to do so, and it doesn't exactly work as a disguise. However, they may just recycle the reasoning for the Dinobots' construction by the Autobots in the toon as a way to build up their ranks with stronger warriors against the Decepticon threat. I could buy that, but I would hope there'd be a little deeper reasoning than just that. Anyway, I'm finding it difficult to be excited about this, especially when they're already linking it to Bayverse.
  5. M'Kyuun
    Just got back from seeing it (in the theater, finally!), and I thought it was just as good as the first one.
  6. M'Kyuun
    That you did him a solid by getting him a copy early is commendable, man. And you can't be held responsible for factory mistakes. Hopefully Hasbro's on top of it and getting it corrected for future copies (like mine).
  7. M'Kyuun
    Great review, Mike. You're totally on point with your observation that the bot mode gun mount would have served the cannon mode far better if it was tucked up by the crotch. I saw a solution on Twitter using several of Nonnef's 5mm port adapters, albeit with one sanded down to fit the screw hole in the crotch, that allows for that piece to tuck away nicely. Unfortunately, I can't find it now to link it. My copy of Galvatron is PO'd with Pulse, so hopefully mine will benefit from the updated shoulder fix, as Pulse seems to take longer to get stuff out, even when it's already appearing in brick and mortar stores. While I still like the TR version, it has some compromises, and this one was certainly designed to more closely fit the G1 toon model. I had initial reservations, but had to concede, after a vid review or two, that it was a decent fig, with some minor flaws. I do wish instead of having his feet rotate down out of the legs as they do in cannon mode, he would have had the more handle-esque support bar like the OG toy and the TR fig, via its tacked on third mode's cockpit. All things considered, it's arguably the best official Galvatron toy to date, and I'll be happy to pair him up with the exquisite Cyclonus and very good Scourge as you did.
  8. M'Kyuun
    I wasn't thinking of that, but now that you mention it... Pretty darn cool how that thing retracts into the fuselage. Little safer than being a door gunner. Next thing you know, they'll be equipping this thing with a 105mm cannon like the gunships carry. Not sure if the Osprey could handle the recoil from that thing, though. The 40mm cannon would probably be ok. Nothing like mounting artillery on a hovering platform.
  9. M'Kyuun
    Oh, I have a couple Bayverse Bees- I just don't have any BumbleBee Movie Bee figs. I like the design, but I just never felt compelled to bring it home. I think the Bee Movie Prime fig was pretty well done, and I really like Dropkick, but then I've been a helo fan since my preteen years, so getting an official AH-1 Transformer was a delightful surprise. I like the transformation engineering on that one. Not for everyone, but I dig it. Kinda like Maverick: an F-14 with a wickedly similar transformation as the venerable VF-1. Pretty cool, and I hope it galls HG to no end.
  10. M'Kyuun
    The Target I went to did have a couple copies of B-127, with his Cybertronian car mode. I left them on the pegs. I have Bee Movie Prime and Dropkick, but I've yet to own a version of Bee. I'm hoping some the new Kingdom stuff will start releasing soon. As in Transformers, not Egypt.
  11. M'Kyuun
  12. M'Kyuun
    Like mine a couple days ago. My Walmart is typically disappointing, but Targets usually fare better for inventory. The one I visited didn't have any of the latest wave, so I remain committed to just getting all my TFs online, and if I happen to stumble upon one in the wild, I'll grab it and canx the PO. Speaking of POs, I broke down and paid the extra $5 markup for the Amazon Exclusive ER Sideswipe/BW Skywarp two-fer. I missed the better priced Pulse PO, so that's what I get for hesitating. Initially, I wasn't going to bother with the ER version, but there are enough differences from the Siege, and similarities with ER Sunstreaker's alt mode to warrant getting a copy. I really wasn't interested in Skywarp, but I like the Airazor mold, and I like the colors they used, so I'm sure I'll enjoy the figure for what it is. I'm just not crazy about the head sculpt, but I can live with it.
  13. M'Kyuun
  14. M'Kyuun
    Good luck with the hunt, Mike. A second part of an interview with Shogo Hasui at Takara has been posted on TFW2005. The first part of the interview was posted about a week or so ago, and the mods over there were kind enough to merge both parts. Interesting stuff if you're collecting Generations or Studio Series. Speaking of SS, the interviewer and Hasui-san speak of SS Devastator, which I presumed in my excitement to mean an upcoming set of figs based on the '86 movie. It took a second reading for me to realize they were talking about the Bayverse version. Interesting reading , nonetheless, but Bay's take is best summed up by . The similarity between the Classics Seeker and the ER Seeker molds is also explained.
  15. M'Kyuun
    LEGO's really branching out in what subjects get made into sets, as well as the licensing they're pursuing. Personally, I think the typewriter's neat, but the shoe does nothing for me. But there are a lot of folks into kicks, so I guess this is aimed at them. Hey, whatever sells sets.
  16. M'Kyuun
    Finished S1 tonight with the wife. When a promo for another show instead of the next episode came up, signifying we'd completed first season, it was an 'aw, man' moment. Good series that takes you on a journey. Of course, there are some revelations, but where it leaves off keeps you wanting to see where the story goes, to continue the journey. Well done show for sure. Some of the CGI looks like CGI from the early 90s, but I agree that the actors all put in good performances, and kudos to the makeup team. Then there's Bobby. Hoping his story will be told in S2. Nice to see the circle closing concerning the principles- you know that's gonna happen, but it's fun to see how it comes about.
  17. M'Kyuun
    Also started watching it. I actually watched the first ep alone, liked it, so I watched it again with a few more eps with the wife. Enjoying it, including the narration, whose character I'm sure we'll meet somewhere along the way. Def paints a less than favorable, yet realistic portrayal of humanity, as history, both old and recent, can attest. Looking forward to completing the first season.
  18. M'Kyuun
    Just finished Kuromukuro on Netflix and am about halfway through Tiger and Bunny. Enjoyed the former, and am enjoying the latter. I'm enjoying the anime selection on Netflix, even if they are a bit behind on seasons for a number of them. Can't wait for the day when Macross starts showing up on there. Hopefully soon. Seems like they're in no hurry to get it out there even with their greatest roadblock finally removed.
  19. M'Kyuun
    I was just at one of the Targets in my area today, and all they had in leader scale was a couple copies of ER Ultra Magnus, which I happily left on the shelf. I hope the Hasbro team will get the opportunity to revisit his design with SS86, using a recolored ER Prime as core, as they purportedly wanted to do in the first place. Aside from a couple Kingdom Huffers and Ractonites, they had a peg's worth of Arcee to round out their Generations offerings. I don't recall if they had any of the legends class figs, or core class, as I rarely buy the official toys in that scale anymore. Anyway, I have Galvy PO'd, so I'll get him eventually. No hurry. Slag, OTH, I probably would have snapped up and canxed the PO. Priorities!
  20. M'Kyuun
    I'm a huge fan of G1 Megatron's design and transformation, which is why I still like my Apollyon, even if it's a bit outdated aesthetically. MP-36 handled the legs beautifully, but dropped the ball with all the upper torso origami that kinda ruins the nice curved gun slide look that it should have. When NA's came out, I bought it after watching a few reviews; it wasn't the best looking thing in bot mode, especuially those hips, but for its size, it was a remarkably well-engineered and fun fig. Enter Magic Square and their 'just walked off the tv' Megatron. I actually hmm'd and hawed over getting yet another legends class Megs for awhile, but reviews were really good, and the thing just looks amazing, better than the MP. No regrets- such an impressive figure, and it looks incredible. I recommend him.
  21. M'Kyuun
    QFT. The realignment of the 'boobs' into the jet's intakes was a practical, no-brainer design decision that should have become the norm for Seekers thereafter. As for the chunky legs, by now most of these companies, including Takara, have figured out ways to use panel-fu, or otherwise collapsing structures, to change the shape of parts of one mode to fit the other in a more appealing and accurate fashion, but for whatever reason, when the alt mode is a jet, all bets are off. Thank you, Kawamori-san, for being the one beacon of hope in this otherwise dim and disappointing world of transforming jets.
  22. M'Kyuun
    If this is indeed Kingdom Waspinator, and I'm betting it is, like the ER Seeker, they gave him improved articulation, but essentially copied the transformation. Honestly, though, there really aren't that many ways to accomplish BW Waspinator and keep him true. I prefer tucking his legs up under the body better than the original toy's use of the robot legs as the grossly out of scale and inaccurate back legs in wasp mode. The integration of his weapon into the wasp's abdomen goes back to the original toy, and I'm glad that that particular feature carries forward. It's certainly better than Kingdom Cheetor's tail axe instead of his gut gun and tail gun. I never minded the flapping gimmick on T30, but YMMV. Honestly, I like the sharpness of detail on the T30 better than this fig, whose legs and wings have a gloopy melted candle look about them, similar to the original '95 toy. With all the other Kingdom BW figs aiming to look like the real animals instead of their toonier looks, this is a step in the wrong direction. So, no sooner does speculation begin over the photos yesterday when TonTon pops up with a review today. Crazy. Other than the better tucked arms and the more organically painted stripes on the abdomen, the T30 toy does everything else better, IMHO. Think I'll be skipping this guy.
  23. M'Kyuun
    I thought I'd try to spruce up my ER Prowl with some stickers only to find to my dismay that Toyhax never made any for him. It seems a bit of an omission; they made stickers for Slitherfang, but not one of the most recognizable and wanting of the G1 Autobots. Anyway, I busted out my paints and tried to give him a minimal makeover to the best of my meager ability. I thought about trying to paint his zig-zag waist detail and his shoulder shields and stripes, but that's a bit too far outside my wheelhouse. I also bought a weapons set for him from Nonnef. The Nonnef gun is more accurate than the gun he came with, but somehow I like the official gun better. I gave it a coat of paint and it doesn't look too bad, IMHO. I also painted the missiles, although all I had in my rather limited and aging paint collection was aluminum, so that's what I used. I may pick up some silver or maybe even chrome paint at some point and give them a shinier coat to better match the OG toy. I still wish there were decals available to pick out the mechanical details in his shins, as well as the waist and shoulder details. I may still pick up some white paint and paint the insides of his legs as well as the little gap filler panels. Anyway, thought I'd share.
  24. M'Kyuun
    Looks great, David. Did you buy the stickers or make them? I like the crew hatch tile, and wonder why LEGO didn't do the same; it's a pretty simple solution that looks much better than official. Anyway, it seems like a lot of the fixes were simple to employ without major mods to the model beggaring the question of why those solutions weren't employed in the first place. The budgeting politics at LEGO must be a bumpy road to navigate. LEGO has unveiled the latest IDEAS model, and it's an old school typewriter. More about it on Brothers Brick. This, like the piano, is a cool model, with moving internals that simulates the actual object in question. The sting, I think, is that, for all their artistic and technical prowess manifest in these beautiful models, neither the piano nor the typewriter actually works. However, the spirit behind these models, that they are objects of a particular nature that LEGO would not otherwise consider doing, has merit. The typewriter would make a great gift for anyone old enough to have used a typewriter, or for someone in the writing profession. Likewise the piano for musicians. For the average LEGO buying Joe, though, I think the appeal is limited, except, perhaps, as a parts pack (all that delicious sand green!). If I'm coming across negative, I'm not; I think stuff like this is why IDEAS is such a good platform; models like this are niche, expensive, specifically targeted at an adult consumer, represent some incredible artistry and engineering on the parts of the designers and submitters, and also represent real world objects that hold personal or nostalgic feelings for many people. I hope the folks at IDEAS continue to receive submissions like this; it adds a whole new range of depth to what a LEGO set can be, and hopefully changes perceptions about it as more than just a toy, but as yet another creative medium like clay or scale modeling.
  25. M'Kyuun
    I agree, pretty good kit, but not without its flaws, and the fix for those door hinge indents is pretty simple and straightforward. It beggars the question of why the designer didn't do it that way, but they're up against constraints that most consumers aren't aware of, so I'm more willing to let things pass. The landing gear system was well executed, but I think the scale of the gear as opposed to the Shuttle itself is a bit too large; however, it's LEGO, so they have to work with what's available, and compromises are a necessity. For how smoothly the gear retraction/extension works, I'm not too plussed about it. Part of me wishes that this had been minifig scale like the Shuttle Adventure set years ago, but this was more of a commemorative model, thus the more realistic crew cabin. Moreover, it's grossly out of scale for the minifigs, but I'm old skool, so astro-figs in anything make me happy.
×
×
  • Create New...