Mog

Saw the movie last night. Anyone else feel like the pacing of the last third of the movie felt “off� It just felt like the movie had too many endings. Like a scene would feel like an ending sequence, and then, boom, the movie would keep going. And why, oh why, did they have to destroy that beautiful Aston Martin DBS? WHY GOD? WHY!!!? P.S.--Thanks for the interesting tidbits on the novel.

I posted a few pics of the Valk in a thread a few months back. I've removed a few of the pics in the interim (so I wouldn't overload the board with pics). And practically all of those old ones are way too overexposed with the flash. But here's the link. I've subsequently learned a few lessons from the photography thread here on the board and decided to learn more about my digital cam's advanced features. ......That and natural sunlight makes the photos turn out better. There's other pics of the custom I've littered around the board. But the link above is the main one. In any case, less words, more pics: [attachmentid=38249][attachmentid=38250][attachmentid=38251][attachmentid=38252][attachmentid=38253]

Uh..............DAMN!!! How tall is it without the main guns in firing position? <Darth Vader-style>: Most impressive indeed!

Geez, I wonder what inspired this custom scheme? [attachmentid=38244]

Nah, I'd stick with the flexi's. More added "play value," especially when you start mixing and matching the rod lengths. A few things about the Alphas. They're probably about 2/3 to 3/4 the height of the MPC Veritechs. They definitely have more articulation than the old Gakken Alphas. BUT there are a bunch of flaws to keep your eyes out for when getting the MPC Alphas. Sometimes, it's almost a crapshoot trying to get one that's almost perfect. Some noteable issues are the infamous floppy arms syndrome, fragile hands, the arched back look in fighter mode, crooked heads, and the chest plate touching the ground. I'd say about 2 out of the 5 Alphas I've bought have been relatively flaw-free. I can still pose all of them fairly well, mind you. But the flaws on less-than-perfect Alphas can get pretty annoying. I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying the Alphas, but you should be aware of some of the issues you may run across. .....Now if only someone would make a compatible, transformable Beta.

Alright Kyp, look at my avatar. The way Toynami has handled the whole Beta situation, the lack of updates on their website, and the general impression of disdain I get from Toynami's ACTIONS make it very difficult for me to support them. Now, look at what's been happenning with the YF-19 and all the recent 1/48 VF-1 and 1/60 VF-0 releases from Yamato. We've gotten a fairly steady stream of updates, CAD pics, prototype pics, info on all the cool little features and gimmicks, and numerous pics of the finished product in all three modes and from various angles. Granted Yamato still has their issues and flaws. But I'd rather spend my money on a product and on a company that has showed more concern, more "love" (if you will) to its fans than Toynami has shown in its short history. I have practically all of the Toynami MPC's, one of the Yamato 1/60 VF-1's, a few of the 1/48's, and one of the re-released Bandai 1/55's. So, I do have some bases for my opinions. Now granted, the MPC's are typically cheaper less expensive and have some charm. But if I had to do it all over again, I'd have started and stayed with the Yamato Valks........Of course, I'd still get my one 1/55 chunky-monkey (just for nostalgia purposes. ). Just my two cents on the matter.

Yeah, I kept looking at that pic after I made the post. I didn't know for sure if the clear rim around the kite was evidence of a sticker or just an optical illusion due to the pic's resolution. Seeing how the part splits and is probably a high contact point during transformation (correct me if I'm wrong), you'd think Yamato would just go ahead and tampo the emblems.

Gotta agree with you there. Damn, why didn't I buy some spare Valk stickers from Devin just for the hell of it. At least the kite symbols on the fuselage appear to be tampo'd on. Thanks for all the new pics everyone!! Personally, I wouldn't fret too much about poseability. Once a bunch of us MW'ers get our hands on this, you know we'll be snapping up pics and offerring our critiques of the joints and such.

Nice weathering effects! She looks like a tough, battle-tested bird.

^^^Yeah, I have my "sources" too. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if she'll be able to get tickets to an advanced screening. Plus, I'm probably a few people down on the priority list (family and such) if she gets tickets for an advanced screening. Oh well, no big deal. Zeta, if you see it before the rest of us schmoes, feel free to rant, rave, and review the flick. Just try not to mention the key plot points or big surprises until after we all get to see it.

For those with high-speed internet connections, here's a larger version of the trailer: http://www.ifilm.com/presents/spiderman3 I liked the trailer and am pleased with the thematic direction they're going in this movie. .....Interesting that they didn't show any shots of Gwen in there like they did in the first teaser trailer. I love the first movie, thought the second one was alright (felt it had too much "sequel-itis": gotta make everything BIGGER! from the action sequences to the comedy to the dramatic moments), and am hoping this third one pays off big time. rnurmin, are you asking about how the black suit came into being in the comics or in this movie? Because, I know the origin from the comics. But I have no clue about how it comes about in the movie. Nor do I want to know until the movie comes out (Translation: No spoilers please ).

<Sarcasm mode on> Dammit, Repiv_Onex, don't tease us like that!! <sarcasm mode off> Personally, I'd like the shield to be a darker shade of grey. (To be more in line with the color-scheme of the rest of the plane.) But that's just me. Now, if they do stealth or black scheme on the YF-21....... .....I know, I know: I'm putting the cart before the horse.

Is this the Endor AT-AT I've been hearing about? The story on rebelscum.com is that it's gonna come with the AT-AT driver and a Biker Scout with a flip-up visor showing his face. I've also heard rumors about them re-releasing the large-scale Imperial Shuttle. Don't forget Shin: if you get the Snowspeeder and the AT-AT, you'll probably need an extra VTSC X-Wing Luke. It might not be exactly movie-accurate, but I could see you having a ball hanging Luke from the underbelly of the AT-AT, weilding a lightsaber in one hand and arming a thermal detonator in the other one.

Yeah, the 2002 version came with R2. But the silver dome on that R2 is too shiny for my tastes. I also prefer the more muted silver dome on the electronic R2's. Plus, it's more accurate to the line-art!

Unfortunately, these later releases have none of those features. Other than the moveable S-Foils and the landing gears, these later X-Wing releases have been pretty bare bones when it comes to extra features on the X-Wing itself. (Though they sometimes add extras like another R2 figure, swamp moss, storage containers, a Red Leader figure, etc.) The main differences though are: 1. These later releases tend to look more weathered and have more scorch-marks. 2. Stickers already applied on these later releases. 3. And as Shin noted earlier, no permanently stuck Luke in the cockpit. Damn, 7 of 'em?!

Yeah, the recent series of X-Wing releases don't have all the lights, electronic sounds, and added features of the old FX version. But they do keep its proportions and larger wings. I never owned the FX version (it was before I got back into collecting), but I'm quite happy with my 2002 Luke's X-Wing version. And I completely agree with Shin: posing the VTSC X-Wing Luke with his X-Wing ride is just a blast! I got my Luke doing that classic pose: hanging off the side of the X-Wing, about to climb into the cockpit, helmet in hand, gazing up into the stars. Never fails to put that geeked-out, fanboy grin on my face.

Da-yam! I would never have thought to pose the Valks in that way. BTW, has anyone ever tried posing their VF-1J Hik' in that infamous pose at the end of the opening credits?

Renato, for me, it's just that the 24 cm height (which I'm guessing is from the tip of the main guns to the feet), just doesn't do it for me. As I've said in other posts, I'd like the Macross to be "visually" bigger than the 1/48's. And for me, that just means I'd like the head/bridge to be noticeably above the head of your standard 1/48. This is just my personal preference, but I just don't want the namesake of the series being towered over by the Valks in my displays. And I know it's the sheer length of the main guns that makes a large-scale Macross so difficult to design. Now understand, I'm very glad that someone is making a new and improved version of the SDF-1. I hope it sells well. And the pics I've seen so far show some really nice detailings. It's just that I want a Macross in a larger scale. Plus, I prefer the TV-style SDF-1.

Just to chime in about the rod combinations and mixing and matching rod lengths, this is what really sets the flexis apart from all the other display stands out there. For those of you who want to display your Valks in a dynamic, flyby pose or some crazy, sprawled-out, mid-battle pose, these stands are the best way to go... [attachmentid=37623] Can't wait to put the YF-19 on one of these!

Two points: 1. I suggested that the $200 price include the YF-21 and its Fast Packs. 2. Considering I paid roughly $230+ (including CA sales tax and shipping) for new Roy VF-1S re-issue and its Fast Packs just last year, I don't see how suggesting $200 is "idiotic." But as Graham pointed out, this is all just random speculation at this point.

In theory, they could make the YF-21's legs and arms(?) detachable ala the movie version of M-Plus. Personally, I wouldn't want that feature (Just keep the bird tight and sturdy). Just give me the FP's, the double guns, a Valk that looks sexy and balanced in all three modes, nice long (possibly telescoping) landing gear, and some wicked articulation. Price it at $200 (Valk AND FP's). And let's call it a deal. The Yamato YF-21 doesn't need gimmicks; it just needs to exude the kind of "bad-ass"ness that this model oozes. Link

Thanks again for the pics, Graham. This was my biggest concern in looking over the pics. I just hope the joint doesn't become floppy after a few transformations. And I agree with a lot of the other earlier posters: the kite emblems on the fuselage have GOT to be tampo-printed. Heck if Toynami can tampo-print a split kite emblem on its Fast Packs, Yamato can tampo the emblems on this bird. .....Oh and YF-21, SDF-1, or bust for Yamato's next releases.

I know I started a little later than most in using your stickers. But it'll be hard to imagine not using your products on my future Valk purchases. It sucks for us, but I understand and know you're making the right decision. Spend more time with the wifey, and go finish off that PhD! And lastly, thank you for helping me make my own customized and personalized Valkyrie a reality.

A Darth Maul figure back around Christmas 2000(?) First Macross-related product as an adult: the Bandai Reissue VF-1S from a vendor at Frank & Sons (not sure which vendor though). Went through a slight detour with the MPC's. And am now a convert to the Church of Yamato.

Finally got some flexidisplay stands. So, I figured I'd share some comparison pics (and resurrect this thread in the process ): Some of my bettter posed pics WITHOUT the Flexi's: [attachmentid=37434] [attachmentid=37435] (I was pretty please with Max's pose here; the Valk stayed upright even though it looks like it's gonna tip over on its side) Pics with the Flexi's: [attachmentid=37436] [attachmentid=37437]