Fett Undressed

[Agent0028]

I actually prefer SS's pose to the new one. Its not that the new one looks bad or anything, I just like the original better. I think its really something that he was able to do that. I'd be scared to death to even think about it.

 

[Radagaster]

So . . .now that SS perfected the 1/4 PF materials . . .when will they announce the 12" version?

 

[Natrix]

I didn't know Fett used solid plastic pouches on his belt or was that to form them to his body and to keep them from getting damaged as well? So much for Premium Format....

 

[Michael Crawford]

Just to set the correct tone going in - I'll be reviewing Fett, and I'll be slamming him hard for the plastic body.

I'm not sure where the idea that this is an injection molded body is coming from. From everything I can tell, it's hollow aka rotocast. There's no way it would be as light as it is if it were solid ABS through and through, and the neck joint and hand joints also indicate a hollow figure. In fact, solid ABS can even be more brittle than polystone - just ask the poor guys over at SOTA all the problems they had with Darkness. If that is the case, then the idea that this costs as much to mold as a solid ABS body is ridiculous. Can someone confirm whether that torso is actually solid? I'm sure the guy that customized the pose can at least tell us about the arms.

I find it amusing as well that Dave brought up the fact that the early PF's were padded wire armature and nobody minded. Of course, the runs were also only 1000, and they cost a hundred bucks less...

Buy this guy on ebay for $200. He's worth it, and that's where he's going to settle out for awhile. In fact, you may be able to get the non-exclusive even cheaper after they've been on ebay for a few weeks, but before they start slowly drying up.

For me, it's simple. Sideshow has used the excuse that the body and armor had to shrink at the same rate. If that's the case, we shouldn't see the plastic body used except on armored figures. I for one won't be buying another PF that uses the all plastic body until it's on ebay, well below retail.

 

[user 1190]

I like both the redone Fett and my Fett. Just wondering what did he change on the helmet , I can see the yellow bars on the side but thats it.

And for the new shipping box its great and it should help with shipping cost too.

 

[IrishJedi]

Just to set the correct tone going in - I'll be reviewing Fett, and I'll be slamming him hard for the plastic body.

I'm not sure where the idea that this is an injection molded body is coming from. From everything I can tell, it's hollow aka rotocast. There's no way it would be as light as it is if it were solid ABS through and through, and the neck joint and hand joints also indicate a hollow figure. In fact, solid ABS can even be more brittle than polystone - just ask the poor guys over at SOTA all the problems they had with Darkness. If that is the case, then the idea that this costs as much to mold as a solid ABS body is ridiculous. Can someone confirm whether that torso is actually solid? I'm sure the guy that customized the pose can at least tell us about the arms.

I find it amusing as well that Dave brought up the fact that the early PF's were padded wire armature and nobody minded. Of course, the runs were also only 1000, and they cost a hundred bucks less...

Buy this guy on ebay for $200. He's worth it, and that's where he's going to settle out for awhile. In fact, you may be able to get the non-exclusive even cheaper after they've been on ebay for a few weeks, but before they start slowly drying up.

For me, it's simple. Sideshow has used the excuse that the body and armor had to shrink at the same rate. If that's the case, we shouldn't see the plastic body used except on armored figures. I for one won't be buying another PF that uses the all plastic body until it's on ebay, well below retail.

And there it is, folks. The truth of the matter from someone with a reputable, unbiased opinion.

 

[Darklord Dave]

So Michael - the plastic body changes how he looks?

 

[IrishJedi]

So Michael - the plastic body changes how he looks?

No, Dave, it heavily changes the perceived VALUE of the item to many people (and it doesn't to others).

This is actually a very simple thing. I don't even know why we're still even arguing over it. Some of us think the piece is too cheap for the $325 asking prices, some of us don't. End.

I look forward to Michael's review.

 

[The Josh]

Just to set the correct tone going in - I'll be reviewing Fett, and I'll be slamming him hard for the plastic body.

I'm not sure where the idea that this is an injection molded body is coming from. From everything I can tell, it's hollow aka rotocast. There's no way it would be as light as it is if it were solid ABS through and through, and the neck joint and hand joints also indicate a hollow figure. In fact, solid ABS can even be more brittle than polystone - just ask the poor guys over at SOTA all the problems they had with Darkness. If that is the case, then the idea that this costs as much to mold as a solid ABS body is ridiculous. Can someone confirm whether that torso is actually solid? I'm sure the guy that customized the pose can at least tell us about the arms.

I find it amusing as well that Dave brought up the fact that the early PF's were padded wire armature and nobody minded. Of course, the runs were also only 1000, and they cost a hundred bucks less...

Buy this guy on ebay for $200. He's worth it, and that's where he's going to settle out for awhile. In fact, you may be able to get the non-exclusive even cheaper after they've been on ebay for a few weeks, but before they start slowly drying up.

For me, it's simple. Sideshow has used the excuse that the body and armor had to shrink at the same rate. If that's the case, we shouldn't see the plastic body used except on armored figures. I for one won't be buying another PF that uses the all plastic body until it's on ebay, well below retail.

From Brant Himself:

At the base of this debate, there seems to be a question of whether plastic (ABS/PVC/etc) is less expensive to produce than polystone. While it is true than ABS and PVC plastic materials are less expensive than polystone material, this is only a small part of the cost invested in the figure. In order to make castings in ABS, PVC, PP or the other plastic materials (injection plastics), we have to make very expensive steel tools. The cost to make the steel tool is the same whether we make one thousand piecs, tweny-five thousand, or one million pieces. You may expect injection plastic products to be less expensive because most injection plastic products are made in very large quantity, and that original investment in tooling is spread out (ammortized) over that large quantity, therefore having very little impact on the retail price.

Boba Fett is a very limited edition collectible, and therefore the investment in the steel tooling is not spread over very many pieces. There is no cost savings to Sideshow to produce Fett with injection plastic materials versus producing with polystone. We chose the injection plastic materials to give Fett the best possible outcome. The Boba Fett Premium Format Figure lives up to the Premium Format title (which is not called Polystone Format for a very good reason - these are meant to be mixed-mediums to capture the best of each character).

 

[LOTRFan]

Just to set the correct tone going in - I'll be reviewing Fett, and I'll be slamming him hard for the plastic body.

I'm not sure where the idea that this is an injection molded body is coming from. From everything I can tell, it's hollow aka rotocast. There's no way it would be as light as it is if it were solid ABS through and through, and the neck joint and hand joints also indicate a hollow figure. In fact, solid ABS can even be more brittle than polystone - just ask the poor guys over at SOTA all the problems they had with Darkness. If that is the case, then the idea that this costs as much to mold as a solid ABS body is ridiculous. Can someone confirm whether that torso is actually solid? I'm sure the guy that customized the pose can at least tell us about the arms.

I find it amusing as well that Dave brought up the fact that the early PF's were padded wire armature and nobody minded. Of course, the runs were also only 1000, and they cost a hundred bucks less...

Buy this guy on ebay for $200. He's worth it, and that's where he's going to settle out for awhile. In fact, you may be able to get the non-exclusive even cheaper after they've been on ebay for a few weeks, but before they start slowly drying up.

For me, it's simple. Sideshow has used the excuse that the body and armor had to shrink at the same rate. If that's the case, we shouldn't see the plastic body used except on armored figures. I for one won't be buying another PF that uses the all plastic body until it's on ebay, well below retail.

Thank you!



The body is almost certainly hollow, the customizer over @ Statue Forum said he found a polystone "rod" hidden inside the body -- apparently even SS believes that weight should be important.

As for the body changing the way he looks well, yes apparently so - the plastic belt is going to drive me nuts; I just know it. Not to mention a rubber base, oh my, I just don't want to cancel on Adam --- I am fairly certain mine is going to be flip-bait.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Sorry Dave, Jlcmsu, etc., I think the Crawford-nator wins this one. You guys seem to love Mike's reviews ... praise them ... until they disagree with your own opinions. And yes, I realize 100% that Mike's review is also an opinion. But much like I would take Ebert's opinion of a movie over any Joe Schmoe off the street, I am going to have to take Micheal's years of experience with all types of toys and statues into consideration. If he feels the piece is not worth the suggested retail, I will take his word for it. He also is a little bit more removed from Sideshow, so maybe he's not looking through Rose-colored glasses. Now, I am in no way saying your opinions are wrong. If you guys are happy with your Fett, that's all that matters.

P.S. Another thing a friend pointed out the other day when we were discussing this, but "value" has no connection to production cost. If it cost 500 bucks to manufacture a PF of Strawberry Shortcake, should I feel like its a "value" to buy it for 450 if I do not like it? No. Sideshow can manufacture these things however they want. They can release detailed accounting sheets to verify expenses. However, if a person does not like the materials or the item itself, then its not a "value" to them. Well, I figured I would throw Tracey's perspective in. I hadn't thought of it that way before.

 

[IrishJedi]

Direct from the horse's mouth (the guy who removed everything and customized his PF Fett):

The base body is not solid. It's semi hollow like a model kit. There is a compartment on the inside that holds a slab of polystone.

Crawford is right.

The End.

 

[Bannister]

Direct from the horse's mouth (the guy who removed everything and customized his PF Fett):



Crawford is right.

The End.

I am sure the debate is over now.

 

[IrishJedi]

Hahahahaha! It's never over, is it?

 

[kodiak8658]

Right from the mouth of a respected product reviewer. But some still live in their little world of denial. Boba Plastic should be selling for around $100 less. HA!

Boner Fett Lives!!!

 

[kodiak8658]

From Brant Himself:

jlcmsu, Denial is a terrible thing. :chew

 

[DouglasMcc]

jlcmsu, Denial is a terrible thing. :chew

Okay, I have been the first to question when jlmsu came off too strong or sounded condescending. However, that doesn't mean we have to be the same way towards him. Because, in all honesty, he has you beat on one key point: if he truly is happy with his Boba, then he wins ... end of story for him.

 

[Bannister]

jlcmsu, Denial is a terrible thing. :chew

Actually it's quite beautiful.

 

[LOTRFan]

Because, in all honesty, he has you beat on one key point: if he truly is happy with his Boba, then he wins ... end of story for him.

Josh's vote can't count, he cancelled his.

 

[IrishJedi]

Okay, I have been the first to question when jlmsu came off too strong or sounded condescending. However, that doesn't mean we have to be the same way towards him. Because, in all honesty, he has you beat on one key point: if he truly is happy with his Boba, then he wins ... end of story for him.

Actually, jlmsu cancelled his PF Boba a while back for other reasons.