InArt: The Lord of the Rings - Legolas 1:6

Klornamafern said:

After receiving Aragorn, I gotta mention this here again, Legolas needs fabric boots. It will look really horrible next to Aragorn with fabric boots in my opinion.

Why would they make this decision? Even from the proto images you can clearly see the fake plastic shine on them, don't know I really don't like it for the price.

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Just guessing but not only are the boots unique with the way the fabric wraps the calf, there's script decoration. E.g. materials, time, labor.

Sassafras said:

I sure don't feel like Inart Aragon is "definitive". Too many IMO reasonably easy things that could have been corrected were not. I needed a Ranger Aragorn and was curious about Inart.

Legolas might be definitive if they fix some things. Thorin, Nazgul, maybe. But there's no reason for Inart to change their business model if figures sell out anyway.

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It was always known the Ranger cloak would be the official store exclusive. Tough that whoever you bought it from didn’t get it through INART directly.

This Aragorn will definitely be definitive, especially for a Fellowship of the Ring Aragorn.

Sassafras said:

Just guessing but not only are the boots unique with the way the fabric wraps the calf, there's script decoration. E.g. materials, time, labor.

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Yeahh, they are unique indeed, guess they definitely tried but decided against in the end. Something about one being fabric and the other one plastic makes the latter look waay cheaper. After having Aragorn in hand dang, those fabric boots really sell the whole figure man.

Sassafras said:

I sure don't feel like Inart Aragon is "definitive". Too many IMO reasonably easy things that could have been corrected were not. I needed a Ranger Aragorn and was curious about Inart.

Legolas might be definitive if they fix some things. Thorin, Nazgul, maybe. But there's no reason for Inart to change their business model if figures sell out anyway.

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I admit that I'm not as much of a detail hound as others in this hobby, but I find the errors incredibly minor. Nothing on the level of needing a 2.0, at least for my collection.

So the boots are supposed to be suede with golden swirls and a design imprinted on them. In some reference images, the boots seem to be normal leather and not suede. Which is it?

Aragorn’s boots seem a lot easier to have been made using fabric material given they’re smooth and don’t have a sculpted in design with intricate folds work like Legolas boots have. Not everything can be replicated in 1/6 and perhaps this is why they opted to go sculpted boots.

RandomHero said:

I do have to wonder how many sales InArt missed out on because the price hikes don't justify the difference between their version to the Asmus version.

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Lot

webhead05 said:

I admit that I'm not as much of a detail hound as others in this hobby, but I find the errors incredibly minor. Nothing on the level of needing a 2.0, at least for my collection.

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For me it's a combination of enjoying that extra step in miniature - like a 1/6 scale book prop is fine, but it's way cooler when it can be opened and there's print/pictures there - and just irritation at InArt hyping themselves then dropping the ball. But, my curiosity satisfied and I have a reasonable Ranger Aragorn. For me there's no reason to get another, unless I think the upcoming planned Gollum films are fantastic and Aragorn is recast. At that point it might be interesting to see what is done with his costume.

Or the elves, possibly. Gonna assume a few of the original WETA folks are still around; may be the last time for that Middle Earth aesthetic as people retire.

Sassafras said:

For me it's a combination of enjoying that extra step in miniature - like a 1/6 scale book prop is fine, but it's way cooler when it can be opened and there's print/pictures there - and just irritation at InArt hyping themselves then dropping the ball. But, my curiosity satisfied and I have a reasonable Ranger Aragorn. For me there's no reason to get another, unless I think the upcoming planned Gollum films are fantastic and Aragorn is recast. At that point it might be interesting to see what is done with his costume.

Or the elves, possibly. Gonna assume a few of the original WETA folks are still around; may be the last time for that Middle Earth aesthetic as people retire.

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I definitely don't disagree that InArt is sniffing their own farts just a bit, but I guess that's marketing for you. Still, despite their flaws, I still feel like I'm getting a premium product. For example: I've never once paused to admire Hot Toys hands, whereas I was marvelling at the grimy paint apps on Aragorn's.

We should absolutely be pressing for better QC at this price point, but as far as the rest, I mostly see it as diminishing returns for production on this scale.

I was under the impression the boots were an embossed leather, not plastic. Not sure where I got that from

I’d rather support INART than a company like Hot Toys who are known to be complacent, cheap and doesn’t care for finer figure-making details. INART’s marketing department is also what have led others to see them as “premium!”, more so than what they really are. But I tend to focus on the product itself, which is more so the design team’s baby, not the marketing team.

LOTR seems to have more inaccuracies because of WETA’s involvement or lack thereof. I don’t really blame it on INART as John has been vocal they have to adhere to WB & WETA and try their best and do what they can given the references that are out there and provided to them.

BACON! said:

I was under the impression the boots were an embossed leather, not plastic. Not sure where I got that from

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You’re thinking of the forearm guards

JorjeCroft said:

Lot

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Didn’t kit say that he had more Legolas preorders than Aragorn or Gandalf?

DakRen said:

Didn’t kit say that he had more Legolas preorders than Aragorn or Gandalf?

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I believe he said that about Superman

I used to think Asmus HD Legolas was good enough but I honestly can’t believe that anymore. Seeing pics again it’s clear it’s just not the same quality as Inart. The clothing material looks much lower quality, the body proportions, the face sculpt. The details missing like the clasps on the silver undershirt, the shape of the tunic/jerkin, the oddly cinched waist belt. It’s okay because Inart Legolas is at least twice the cost. But I think people here may be seeing things differently or trying to justify not investing in it.

DakRen said:

I used to think Asmus HD Legolas was good enough but I honestly can’t believe that anymore. Seeing pics again it’s clear it’s just not the same quality as Inart. The clothing material looks much lower quality, the body proportions, the face sculpt. The details missing like the clasps on the silver undershirt, the shape of the tunic/jerkin, the oddly cinched waist belt. It’s okay because Inart Legolas is at least twice the cost. But I think people here may be seeing things differently or trying to justify not investing in it. View attachment 736017View attachment 736018

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Completely agree, and I own the HD Legolas. The downgrade on the hair from prototype was so bad. The production version is borderline yellow and the mix with real hair stands out too much for me. He will unfortunately be going back in the box with the rest of Andys toys when InArt Legolas arrives.

DakRen said:

I used to think Asmus HD Legolas was good enough but I honestly can’t believe that anymore. Seeing pics again it’s clear it’s just not the same quality as Inart. The clothing material looks much lower quality, the body proportions, the face sculpt. The details missing like the clasps on the silver undershirt, the shape of the tunic/jerkin, the oddly cinched waist belt. It’s okay because Inart Legolas is at least twice the cost. But I think people here may be seeing things differently or trying to justify not investing in it.

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I think the ASMUS HD is good enough - fantastic value for the price......

To me it's more - is this Legolas fantastic enough to justify the price tag. Based on a rather dubious experience with Aragorn; no.

Yes, there are some nice things going on, like with Aragorn; but looks like they are re-using that unfinished elven cloak; didn't put any effort into the council cloak; the boots disappointingly look plastic with glued on embellishments, no Mirkwood bow -

and most of all, the sculpt is off anyway. Plus, when I contacted InArt they weren't falling over themselves to help. I'm happy to wait for the inevitable other company - whether it's ASMUS, JND, SooSoo, whoever - for the inevitable releases of Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf. With technology and printing advances, somebody will. Hopefully without rolling eyes which I don't use much, but end up paying for.

If I ever even bother to "upgrade". Like a few others have mentioned, I'm ratcheting back collecting. Or, at least, less likely to just dive in. I don't feel like paying for expensive boxes either. Why should I pay $500 for a fig, when to me for it to be "premium" I need to come up with another elven cloak, sweat over whether I get "good hair" or not, and then have to figure out boots as well as a stand? And it's not even a dead-on likeness and the belts are some sort of bonded leather? Plus re-work the council cloak? IMO all that is the company who is offering the product's job, but InArt seems to have come up with a viable business model and they are not likely to change it.

I'll pick up Thorin if he gets made, being my fav ME character, but I'm not paying those prices for a fig I have to more or less kitbash/customize to become what I think of as "premium" . Or pay extra for things that I think should have been included. It's like that Queen 1/3 Aragorn that to me looks off too.