1/6 Hot Toys - MMS 249 - The Joker (Bank Robber Version 2.0) - 1/6 - TF Exclusive 2014

[karamazov80]

I am conditioned now to assume some sort of jab at T2 whenever you post. I was surprised to find you had restrained yourself.

When we start talking about artistic value....I dunno, that's getting a bit, dare I say, snobby. Elevating your favourite above everything else, assuming objectivity...I believe this is what people don't like about Nolan Batman obsessives. I know I don't.

''Our movies are special, your movies are quaint little things for kiddies. By extension the collectibles from our movies are special and they warrant ridiculous prices etc etc''

Well it is subjective, but it's common ground on which you evaluate two things, once you have some definition of what "artistic merit" is. to my mind, that would be movies that seem to be some genuine creative product, designed to represent an artist's vision. And then, you have to weight the artistic vs. the commercial and other influences. Some horrible movies could be very effective displays of artistic skill, of course. Only God Forgives being a recent one I saw.

 

[KingGrayskull]

I have ordered this one and Iron Man today from my local supplier. €299 each. Its a little high but still cheaper than ordering from Sideshow for me. If it makes any sense usually Ipay in € what Sideshow is offeringit in USD. This time I will be a little higher. My bet is it will be priced between 280 and 299 USD on Sideshowcollectibles.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Someone should get on to Sideshow and ask when this is going up for PO

I did. Someone from Sideshow told me that it will be available within the month of July, but he didn't give me a specific date.

 

[Sidious-66]

This thread is so of topic now so now is a good time as any to simply say - 'Batman '89 all the way, baby'.

And if you disagree you can all answer to this guy -

 

[Rambler]

And if you disagree you can all answer to this guy -

I'd like to. But he's out there right now. And I gotta go to work.

 

[vodoun]

Well it is subjective, but it's common ground on which you evaluate two things, once you have some definition of what "artistic merit" is. to my mind, that would be movies that seem to be some genuine creative product, designed to represent an artist's vision. And then, you have to weight the artistic vs. the commercial and other influences. Some horrible movies could be very effective displays of artistic skill, of course. Only God Forgives being a recent one I saw.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/artist-tracey-emins-unmade-bed-sells-3-8-192247894.html#lf8F1iV

 

[DarkMagic]

There are a couple things at play here:

#1. Fans of the Nolan movies. "Heath Ledger gave a great performance"

#2. The exaggerrated parody of fans of the Nolan movies. "ZOMG, Heath Ledger gave the greatest performance EVAR committed to film, not just of the Joker, but of any character EVAR."

#3. Backlash against this parody. "Uh-oh, here come the rabid Nolanites!"

Believe it or not, I'm not going to use this post to defend my opinion that the Nolan Batfilms are great comic book films, and yes, great films in general. There is nothing I can say specifically on that topic that won't be parodied as #2 above, no matter how calm and reasonable the argument is, no matter how much I think my tone is in line with #1 above....I will be seen as "reading too much into it/ over intellectualizing it." Besides, we've heard it all before. We've all had these discussions (about these *specific* films, *specific* writing choices, plots, acting, design, music etc...) many times.

Instead of any specific movie, I'm going a little bigger this time. I don't agree with the *general* belief that because a movie is based on a comic character, it can't also be a multilayered, complex, philosophical, great film. It's not much removed from the attitude that the stories in comic books can't be considered serious literature because they're about characters with superpowers (or even, if no superheroes are involved, just because they are comic books). Comic book art can't be considered "fine art" because it's not an old oil painting, it's just something someone pencil-sketched on some bristol board and someone else inked (and then scanned and digitally colored).

It's this same attitude that says "no one should ever seriously consider a comic-based film for an Oscar (or any similar recognition) in any of the non-technical categories (special effects, makeup etc)" After all, this is all just "supposed to be" throwaway kid's stuff, right? If you try to make it something more, "you don't get it, you're doing it wrong". This is illegitimate art, not "real" art. Anyone who thinks differently is automatically #2 above, taking it all too seriously.

Why so serious?

 

[vodoun]

How can people still be so obsessed?

 

[Sidious-66]

I'd like to. But he's out there right now. And I gotta go to work.

Good one buddy.

 

[DiFabio]

I've actually seen #2 though. Well, minus the spelling errors of "evar" and "ZOMG".

It's not even really about Ledger than it is about the movies in general. I think almost everyone can agree that the Joker performance Ledger gave was fantastic. It's the ostentatious nature of the "uber Nolan Batman fans/obsessives" that a-dev and Rory were describing I think. Those are the folks that grind people's nerves.

 

[DarkMagic]

Right. I just used Ledger as a specific example of one area that fans can be rabid about/others get annoyed with to keep it brief and simple. I am by no means saying it's all about Ledger. I could have highlighted any aspects of the films that are praised by fans (or, seen as being "overrated" by the people annoyed with them).

 

[DiFabio]

Well, you're not wrong. And I definitely think the Joker is what elevated this rabid obsession with the movies. I may be in the minority, but I can safely say that while I may not be fond of the groups we're speaking of (with their, *ahem* overeagerness) I do think Ledger Joker is by far the best thing to come out of the series. He's my favorite part, even if I don't dig the people that constantly hype it up, or "overrate" the whole thing.

Anyway, I was looking over my two Bank Robber Jokers today and forgot about their differences. One of the ones I got from the very first batch has a perfect grenade duffel bag (I never took the foam out). The second one however has a yellowed blue strap that's kind of ratty. Like the strap is easily frayed and cheaply made. The length of it is also shorter compared to the first. That second one was straight from DCD and I noticed a few on eBay have the same look. Guess I never really noticed because I've had it opened with the grenade reveal the whole time. I swear I saw it before though.

I'm definitely thinking of buying a parted out duffel bag from this V2 now. Didn't realize how bad the second figure's bag was. Wonder why they were inconsistent.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

I don't have a problem with #2 Nolanites. It's their opinion. There's really no right or wrong because films are subjective, so if they think the Nolan films and Ledger are the greatest thing ever, good for them. They are no worse than the Star Wars fan who think everything revolves around Star Wars and there's nothing better...they're just as annoying.

 

[morphosis]

its all subjective to the individual and who cares what others think.

 

[a-dev]

Yeah but you guys aren't taking account of

 

[DarkMagic]

I'm definitely thinking of buying a parted out duffel bag from this V2 now. Didn't realize how bad the second figure's bag was. Wonder why they were inconsistent.

I haven't scrutinized mine that closely, but I think I read (in this very thread) that ALL of the V1 duffels are wrong?

 

[DiFabio]

Well I don't mean in terms of film accuracy, I just mean in terms of make/build. The second one isn't like the first, even the tailoring sucks. My first one has a long blue strap, the second one is all old and faded looking. It also looked laughable hanging it over his shoulder because the strap is so short.

I'm sure it's just a QC thing (one of the paper ties on my Two-Face was horrible), but I figure that warrants me going on the secondary market and finding one of these V2 bags when they're eventually parted out.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Yeah but you guys aren't taking account of

But sometimes the internet is wrong. I was just watching a top 10 list by a website (WatchMojo) of the greatest evil laughs in movie history. All they do in this website is top 10 lists of movies and pop culture stuff. And here is the list

10. Ash ( Evil Dead)
9. Predator
8.Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians )
7.The Emperor (Star Wars)
6.The Joker (most of them including Ledger, Hamill, and Nicholson)
5.Dr. Evil (Austin Power)
4.Chucky (Childs play)
3.Agent Smith (Matrix)
2.Count Dracula (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
1.Wicket Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)

Sorry, but the list is ridiculous in my opinion. Joker #6?

 

[DiFabio]

WatchMojo is garbage who kills for money.

 

[a-dev]

Decent people shouldn't pay attention to WatchMojo. They'd be happier browsing porn.