Cinemaquette - Darth Vader

[thx217]

Yes but the arguments I'm seeing from you are the same old tired size/accuracy comparisons, without any nod given to the fact that often unlicensed stuff can be more accurate simply because there is no pressure from a licensor, or impact from budgets and time.

The freedom to do exactly as you please is one of the most powerful forces in a fan-made project.

Size/accuracy is pretty much everything for toys at this price range. No excuses.

 

[jet_force_juno]

Size/accuracy is pretty much everything for toys at this price range.

To you maybe. Not to all.

 

[thx217]

To you maybe. Not to all.

Besides you're photoshop efforts add little weight to what is a moot point I'm afraid.

By all you mean those hand full of CM fanboys? Funny you only shows up on these forums in certain times. Not to all....LMAO. A truly solid piece does NOT require bells and whistles like, let's say, the "sound effects". Wake up and smell the napalm.

Btw, what efforts? That's just a doodle for fun.

 

[jet_force_juno]

Funny you only shows up on these forums in certain times.

I could say the same thing about you.

 

[thx217]

I could say the same thing about you.

You are too funny.

 

[FLOSI]

I agree, the pose just looks kinda awkward.

Pose looks awkward and the helmet doesn't sit right on the head.

 

[ambasah]

when I first heard CM might make a 1/3 scale vader (about 2 years ago) I was absolutely, positively going to buy it. But even those who like this (and there is a lot I still like) must admit that pose is just off. I cannot imagine it being anyone's first choice for such a great character.

I would have forgone the bells and whistles for a pose like the first attakus statue - or heck, even the second.

 

[demorathis]

The funny thing is that many of the so called "bootlegs" are in fact more accurate than licensed collectibles. And some are cheaper too (but there are others that are more expensive as well). Just check out RPF, The Prop Den and some of the 501st forums/boards and you'll see what I'm talking about.

To give you an example. We all know the Master Replicas/eFX Stormtrooper Limited Edition helmet (not the CE/PC). It is a beautiful and superb helmet, but it is less accurate than many of the fan made helmets out there, not only in the way it is made, but in design and appearance as well.

The fans who make their prop replicas put their heart and soul in making these, licensed companies most of the time hire a factory in China to do the work. Who would do a better job: a worker who is underpaid and has no care nor understanding about the product he is painting and assembling there, or the fan who knows everything about his stuff and even more, and also needs to have his product recognized by the fans and the eyes of the real specialists? I think the answer is clear.

Not long ago I thought exactly like you, but I opened my eyes. I have to thank a few guys for this epiphany, but now I won't underestimate the fan made products anymore, in fact some of them I'll consider above the licensed items.

I'm afraid if a Vader on a mannequin will be released by a licensed company it won't look as good as a fan made one but would cost the same or more. Just look at the licensed Vader and Stormtrooper by Rubies and the Museum Replicas Stormie armor. Sorry to say it but both companies made a crappola product.

My eyes are wide open I've been collecting since 77 - so I'm aware of the better boots etc...thing is with a boot (and they are bootlegs no matter the provenance, no matter how close to an original - because they were made without permission of the owner of the likeness - doesnt mean it's not the best thing out there), you never know if something's been fixed or not (and there's no official record of official changes -no matter how vague -made to a final product from the source at hand - because everyone involved is sworn to secrecy to protect the sources)-- granted its in the name of a better product which I admire
-- but like one of the Vader's had the Tube fixed, resculpted as it were...I don't really mind, I've just preferred a sanctioned piece b/c in the event I needed to sell something, the market is a little bigger for something licensed thought the specialty market will pay more for something "more accurate" and not licensed.

I understand, believe me, but if it was between 2 things that are equally as accurate, I'd pick the licensed product. I like that something is mass produced to that degree of care -- ie the eFX mcquarrie or anh helms.

I just like the CM b/c I'm a Vader Collector - I don't expect prop folks to think it's worth anythign to them, or folks who only like realistic, or only statues (no cloth) etc, but I think this is a must have for Vader Collectors -- do I think it's expensive? Yes it is, but I'm willing to pay the price cuase I don't know if they'll make the full run or not, I don't know if I'll evern get another chance to get it or not.

I've learned from the past that there are certain things I can wait on and there are certain things, that if I do will not ever be as easily available for a decent price...(Elder predator 2 hot toys, Luke Stormtrooper disguise from way back when, a decent classic action Don Post MINT condition, darth Vader vs Obi Wan (I did score one for 177) ...

Same reason I got the McQuarrie -- it's a niche item very few will buy it ... the CM is a niche item -- very few will buy it at 1/3 scale for the price -- that's what makes it great for me - I don't have to compete with a bunch of people to get it like the ANH LGD -- that was sooo stressful...and I'm worried any reveal or ESB version may sell out just as fast -- maybe not, but you never know...

I really dig it and I'm not gonna say it's a piece of crap cuz it's not -- is it perfect? No , but I dig it -- minus the damn boot =D

If another company makes one in the same scale and better, would I dithc it? Maybe, but til then I have this to add to the Vader pile =)

As a collector, I will be more inclined to purchase officially licensed product than a bootleg of the same quality -- even if it were identical, made at the same factory etc. Like buying my wife a real Chanel if she likes Chanel vs one that is an exact copy of one from the same factory and may even be better...but not sanctioned

The Rubies costume sucks -- will never buy it -- maybe for 50 -100 bucks I'll break but nothing more - not at 500-700 they go for

 

[jkno]

Yes but you're arguing the same tired size/accuracy points, without any nod given to the fact that often unlicensed stuff can be more accurate simply because there is no pressure from a licensor, or impact from budgets and time.

The freedom to do exactly as you please is one of the most powerful forces in a fan-made project.

The Cinemaquette statues are cool, but here we talk about Vader, one of the most important villains of all times. In this case interpretations are not the strong point. I totally understand you are a CM uber fan but CM fans are not the ones telling us how Vader should look like. The accuracy discussion is not a tired point when we talk about Star Wars, you should know about this by now. But since you are a CM fan and maybe not really a SW fan, then you might think artistic interpretations are the way to do it. There are fans who make very accurate props, helmets and vehicles.

Most of the real SW fans, if asked what they want if they can simply choose: a statue that is 100% accurate or a statue that is 100% artistic interpretation, will have an answer. Do you guess which one? There can be a combination of these 2 visions but most of the fans will go for accuracy regarding costume, armor and details and artistic vision for poses, not viceversa.

Even the SS Predator Maquette is more accurate the CM Predator, though the CM is bigger and more impressive. Fans are not stupid, many of them strive for accuracy, you should know that before trying to tell us that an artist should do whatever he wants and imagine how something should look in his own vision. Licensors should try this as well, eFx is an example, even Gentle Giant did it with their small Stormtrooper bust.

For $2000 I'd expect more from a CM Vader. Plus the pose on that statue is weird to say at least. I passed on the CM Endo despite the fact that I like Endos for the same reason - it has an effeminate pose (to say it nicely) - it wants to be close to a specific scene in the movie, but didn't get it right. Poses are not everything in a statue, and also accuracy is not everything either. The combination between these 2 make a statue great or make it bland and uninteresting. For now I don't see anything out of the ordinary with the CM Vader, it is just a common statue, sold at a very high price.

 

[T3xrr]

I think the pose is awesome! Shows the strength given off by Darth Vader. The whole boot ordeal doesn't even phase the overall presence of the statue. Yes, maybe a one or two angles its not the best but there are certainly more accurate and positive view points in this piece.

I just ordered mine!!!!

 

[Darklord Dave]

Ordered! Saw it at SDCC last year and was incredibly impressed. The leg isn't awkward looking at all in person.

 

[jkno]

when I first heard CM might make a 1/3 scale vader (about 2 years ago) I was absolutely, positively going to buy it. But even those who like this (and there is a lot I still like) must admit that pose is just off. I cannot imagine it being anyone's first choice for such a great character.

I would have forgone the bells and whistles for a pose like the first attakus statue - or heck, even the second.

Indeed. Even if I don't collect Attakus I can say without a doubt that Vader 1 has nothing to be afraid from CM. It has the most impressive pose to date and seems it will stay in top for a long time. Attakus has some odd and weird poses for most of their statues (some are very stiff and immobile, others like bird shooting Boba and the dancing Sandtrooper), but Vader 1 has a powerful presence, and will remain the best representation of Vader in statue form. CM should have looked more into what Vader really is, and then choose an imposing posture instead of this baroque minuet dance pose.

 

[demorathis]

The Cinemaquette statues are cool, but here we talk about Vader, one of the most important villains of all times. In this case interpretations are not the strong point. I totally understand you are a CM uber fan but CM fans are not the ones telling us how Vader should look like. The accuracy discussion is not a tired point when we talk about Star Wars, you should know about this by now. But since you are a CM fan and maybe not really a SW fan, then you might think artistic interpretations are the way to do it. There are fans who make very accurate props, helmets and vehicles.

Most of the real SW fans, if asked what they want if they can simply choose: a statue that is 100% accurate or a statue that is 100% artistic interpretation, will have an answer. Do you guess which one? There can be a combination of these 2 visions but most of the fans will go for accuracy regarding costume, armor and details and artistic vision for poses, not viceversa.

Even the SS Predator Maquette is more accurate the CM Predator, though the CM is bigger and more impressive. Fans are not stupid, many of them strive for accuracy, you should know that before trying to tell us that an artist should do whatever he wants and imagine how something should look in his own vision. Licensors should try this as well, eFx is an example, even Gentle Giant did it with their small Stormtrooper bust.

For $2000 I'd expect more from a CM Vader. Plus the pose on that statue is weird to say at least. I passed on the CM Endo despite the fact that I like Endos for the same reason - it has an effeminate pose (to say it nicely) - it wants to be close to a specific scene in the movie, but didn't get it right. Poses are not everything in a statue, and also accuracy is not everything either. The combination between these 2 make a statue great or make it bland and uninteresting. For now I don't see anything out of the ordinary with the CM Vader, it is just a common statue, sold at a very high price.

That's fine, it's good that your bar for accuracy is extremely high - you save money.

It doesn't bother me that it's not totally accurate - I have NEVER seen a totally accurate Vader at any scale -- (minus lifesize props but that's now apples and oranges) - I'm talking statues figures etc...
but of all the statues figures etc -- the face is by far the most accurate I'd ever seen - I've seen this in person and studies this thing -- the dome can sit a little better -- but it looks fine -- the face has all the little subtleties in it that the full size Vader helmet has -- the tiny tear ducts, the frown lines, the s-curve in the cheek -- that's because it is a scan -- a shrinking of an ESB to 1/3 scale --- this thing looks a lot closer to a Vader helm than the Sideshow Premium, or any of the GG statues , busts, riddell -- it even looks more like the OT than the actual PT helmet --

probably the closest product to the accuracy of this face mask is the Kaiyodo model, followed by the Kotobukiya, and a tiny candy toy bust topper called "lucas hair" go figure-- a perfect little replica of rots vader head and shoulders ...

I think its a great representation, can you tell the difference between this and the real one? Sure -- i can tell the difference between all the vaders in my collection if you just isolated the heads...

and none of them are accurate -- so that's a moot point for me

in fact is there ANY figure that's completely accurate on these boards -- if any very few for complex characters -- even the SS 1/4 Terminator had parts that looked like it was referencing the Horizon kit

 

[demorathis]

Indeed. Even if I don't collect Attakus I can say without a doubt that Vader 1 has nothing to be afraid from CM. It has the most impressive pose to date and seems it will stay in top for a long time. Attakus has some odd and weird poses for most of their statues (some are very stiff and immobile, others like bird shooting Boba and the dancing Sandtrooper), but Vader 1 has a powerful presence, and will remain the best representation of Vader in statue form. CM should have looked more into what Vader really is, and then choose an imposing posture instead of this baroque minuet dance pose.

Attakus is one of my Favorite centerpieces --
but his face is SOO OFF

the best pose by far of any statue ever made, - nice texture on the clothes etc -- one of my favorite pieces
but one of the worst portraits (koto did a much better job -- even the 1/10 scale is better than theirs)-- it doesn't really bug me as the proportions are still pleasing, but he's way too flat and the paint jobs on all attaki(?) are pretty variable

 

[jkno]

There are not many scaled statues or figures to be 100% accurate. But neither do they cost $2000

 

[demorathis]

CM should have looked more into what Vader really is, and then choose an imposing posture instead of this baroque minuet dance pose.

I dance the minuet -- never seen that pose -- I think you're thinking disco -- or the greased lightning choreography...

 

[jkno]

I dance the minuet -- never seen that pose -- I think you're thinking disco -- or the greased lightning choreography...

Nope. I studied Baroque music for an old project and Vader is minuet dancing, not disco.

 

[demorathis]

There are not many scaled statues or figures to be 100% accurate. But neither do they cost $2000

No Attakus is worth only about 1200-1500 now about 500 less...
but it's also 1/5 scale, and they made like 2500 of those plus another 500 in Japan. So it's a little less if you wanted to get one nowadays.

Plus it's cold cast porcelain ... and I can tell at a glance the very specific sculpt of Attakus (which was also used in a pepsi topper, an umbrella, gumball machine top, and something else that escapes me -- but a very ditinct sculpt...

you can say that the 1/3 Vader mask has provenance -- scanned from a esb sourced helmet....which explains the correct worbles in the face...

 

[demorathis]

Nope. I studied Baroque music for an old project and Vader is minuet dancing, no disco.

well I studied disco, so maybe it came from the minuet...

as long as I can tell the difference between the real character and a statue- it'll never be 100% screen accurate and I can ALWAYS tell the difference, so it's not something I'll ever really see

but I'm not going to stop collecting because no one can replicate something 100% -- that just wouldnt be fn anymore...
I collect because I enjoy looking at these characters...

and just for the record, no I don't think everything CM makes is spectacular ... the Indy and Jack Sparrow's eyes are too close together. (and jack should have some more dreds)

The Godfather also has beady eyes, but looks ok round the mouth (I think Hot Toys made a nicer sculpt there)

The Predator was nice and dynamic, but it's not screen accurate which is a minor minus but the paint job and broken hairs prevented me from getting it.

The Alien is nice -- though I'd like to have one that's less "sculpterly" and a little more "idealized" in terms of texture and perhaps in the color - I have it and I love it...

The Vader needed some improvements to be the be all end all, and could use some more tweaks in my opinion, but I like it enough...

If they lowered this by $500 to the value of the attakus Vader, perhaps more people would buy, then again maybe not, like I said, I'm just glad I don't have to deal with the same pressure of trying to get the eFX ... so it works for me ... and I don't expect non Vader focus collectors to want it...and I dont even expect all vader focus collectors to get it ... I was hesitant b/c the price, but I thought I'd miss it if I missed the opportunity...

That's what I do - I'm a Vader collector...

btw can you tell which Vader my avatar is from? It should be pretty easy

 

[jkno]

No Attakus is worth only about 1200-1500 now about 500 less...
but it's also 1/5 scale, and they made like 2500 of those plus another 500 in Japan. So it's a little less if you wanted to get one nowadays.

Plus it's cold cast porcelain ... and I can tell at a glance the very specific sculpt of Attakus (which was also used in a pepsi topper, an umbrella, gumball machine top, and something else that escapes me -- but a very ditinct sculpt...

you can say that the 1/3 Vader mask has provenance -- scanned from a esb sourced helmet....which explains the correct worbles in the face...

Attakus Vader can be had for less. An EU friend and RS member got him for much less than $1200. Too bad it is not really accurate, but the pose is superb and imposing. If CM had a similar pose then I would have had it ordered as well.

well I studied disco, so maybe it came from the minuet...

Could be. I didn't study the evolution of dancing though. But we could make another project and this time involving Vader and his choice and preference for particular dances