Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock figure. Excerpt: “… a superb tribute to one of the most popular Transformers ever.” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Playmates Toys Terminator Salvation T-R.I.P. Resistance Infiltrator Prototype (Deluxe version) 6-inch figure. Excerpt: “… it’s nice to have an Endoskeleton in the 6″ scale.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Galaxy Collection Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Original Spock and Nero figures. Excerpt: “… what I’ve seen so far indicates the quality of the sets will be much higher than the figures.” (more…)
G.I. Joe and Transformers Finally Coming Back to DVD
Hasbro has announced that both the original Transformers and G.I. Joe animated series are going to be on DVD again, brought to us via Shout! Factory and should be available later this year.
This is extremely welcome news to me, because both series have been out of print on DVD for years. As a Joe fan it was even worse than not simply being able to buy them. While the Transformers animated series saw a full release, the G.I. Joe series was never completed before the rights went from Rhino to Sony. Sony, for whatever crazy reason, sat on the license and completely missed the perfect windows for a releases like during the G.I. Joe 25th anniversary and the release of the first Transformers live action movie. In the mean time many fans spent a fortune for the out of print DVDs. For example, the final Joe season was going for over a hundred bucks on Amazon when it originally retailed for around 30 dollars, and the original Joe film was going for double it’s original retail price. Many fans who couldn’t afford the ridiculously inflated prices turned to bootlegs. Hopefully, those that turned to other methods to get their classic toon fix will reinvest in either animated series, so Joe fans can finally complete their collection.
Original Hasbro press release after the break:
Review > Masterpiece Grimlock (MP-08)
When a number of you guessed Masterpiece Grimlock for my 150th review, I was actually a bit puzzled until I realized the figure would probably be shipping soon–and I think I got the shipping notice the same day. I’d forgotten all about the guy.
Before we move on, confession time. Yes, I bought Masterpiece Optimus Prime, and even reviewed him for Michael Crawford’s site. But later, I sold him. Yes! I was a fool, I admit it. In any event, that’s why you won’t see any comparison photos with MP Op. However, it’s notable that Grimlock is smaller than MP Optimus, despite generally being depicted as taller in the cartoon. This is most likely a result of having to keep his price in the realm of the not-insane, but those who like to display the MP figures next to one another will probably be disappointed.
Pic of the Day
Skinny Little Benchwarmer by Poe Ghostal
Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Captain Cold figure. Excerpt: “… an interesting figure that will spice up your shelf or make those battle just a little bit cooler …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Nightwing and Robin figures. Excerpt: “Mattel — fix the assembly matter and then ship these things a bit more, okay?” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Blue Beetle figure. Excerpt: “… the great paint applications …. make an otherwise average figure into an exemplary one.” (See also.) (more…)
Pic of the Day
Soundwave in San Diego
Hasbro revealed this last week that the G1 Soundwave would be their exclusive Transformer at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Everyone’s favorite tape recording Decepticon will come with plenty of friends. He’s going to have Ravage, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, and Ratbat along with him at the show.
Personally, I’ve never been too terribly impressed with the Transformer exclusives. They just seem like simple repaints most of the time, but I’m not a huge Transformers fan so I guess I don’t have my finger on the pulse of what’s desirable. This Soundwave seems a hell of a lot more interesting than the usual offering, but I’ll definitely be skipping this one too. I managed to get a hold of the exclusive Toys R Us “reissue” from a few years ago. Yeah, I know that Soundwave had a different chest piece that held two mini-figs and that the San Diego version is the “true” one and he comes with extra cassettes, but I can only have so many Soundwaves. Anyone looking to get their hands on this guy?
Original Source: Transformers Collector’s Club
5 Good (and 5 Not-So-Good) ’80s Toy-Based Feature Films
With the imminent release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra and the announcement that Tom Hanks may star in a Major Matt Mason movie, big-budget films based on toy lines are big business. The last (and first) time this happened was in the 1980s, when there was a slew of feature films based on the various fad toys of the era.
Here’s a look at some of the best and worst toy-based films of the 1980s. With one exception, all of these movies received a theatrical release. (more…)
Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Macross Origin of Valkyrie VF-1J Valkyrie (Ichijo Hikaru type) 1/55-scale figure. Excerpt: “I still love the Takatoku Toys 1/55-scale sets, and this VF-1J Valkyrie (Ichijyo ver.) is no exception.”
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Macross Origin of Valkyrie VF-1S Valkyrie (Roy Focker type) 1/55-scale figure. Excerpt: “While my 1990 reissue will remain a treasured founding piece in my own collection, the Origin of Valkyrie line allows me to appreciate the quality of the design once more from a collector’s standpoint.”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Blue Beetle figure. Excerpt: “This toy does Blue Beetle some of the justice he deserves by giving fans a little something to hold on to.” (more…)