1/6 Hot Toys - MMS 279 - Star Wars Episode IV: 1/6th scale Darth Vader

[Aliaz]

Well, the issues with the face mask are minor. They seem to have gone for a more symmetrical mouth, but by doing that it almost looks like it's warped to the opposite side, instead of how it is on the prop, due to this the tusk tubes on the left side don't angle down as much as they should, which makes the mouth smaller. The top part of the cheeks, just beneath the eyes have a upward curve to it, while the real prop has an downward curve where it curves up out at the front cheek edges - you can see it on the side profile shot. And then there's the neck that curves differently and don't retreats back as far as it should, making it appear to be too much forward compared to the angle of the mask.

All these things are minor and even I can live with them. But the dome needs to be completely redone.

Thanks for the reply. Now I cant unsee that either. As always I'm impressed at the knowledge about costumes that people on this forum has.

 

[jkno]

Just showing what HT is getting wrong.

One of the reasons I passed on this Vader from HT. Fix it and you might have me as customer.

 

[TaliBane]

The other thing that isn't helping the facemask is the paint - the silver is so bright the facets of the mask almost look like black and white, illuminating the silvered facets too much. Maybe that's gunmetal, but is certainly a very light shade.

The paint error on the nose (gunmetal/silver on upper left cheek intrudes too far up onto bridge of nose) is also making the nose - and whole face - noticeably too thin.

 

[Mr Walker]

Nothing like a good side-by-side to put things into perspective.

Side by side it actually looks pretty good, but front on, and that dome. Phew.

 

[CollectorGuy]

^^^ This

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Yeah, the face mask is an acceptable effort, being on par with the old Kaiyodo - though with less things that needs fixing - and the Marmit, which is still unrivaled. Marmit got it so right so long ago, even though they weren't perfect. Impossible to fathom that Hot Toys can't top that in this day and age with so much better equipment, more reference available and the movies in high definition. It's an epic failure statement.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Thanks for the reply. Now I cant unsee that either. As always I'm impressed at the knowledge about costumes that people on this forum has.

That's what happens when you spend since 2005 studying this particular helmet.

I'm only a new player here, but so far find it enjoyable.

 

[cmiller99]

Urgh. Is there any precedent with the members here being able to influence the outcome on a product from Hot Toys?

Nope.

 

[jkno]

Nope.

Wish they'd be more open to this kind of suggestions. But remember, HT have to make new Vader figures in the future, those can be described simply as "more accurate".

 

[Invictus Sol]

I don't get the impression HT cares for 100% accuracy. Terminator or RoboCop fans have a laundry list of complaints, too, and for sure in those cases, there likely will never be a second iteration of a character to make 'more accurate'. In most cases HT's effort will still be the best ever done to that time, and that's good enough for me (except for Chewie *coughs*).

 

[loki2371]

Vader is my favourite character from my favourite movie being made in my favourite scale by my favourite brand.....why am I not ordering or itching to buy it

Star wars and Vader are my favorites as well and are the one items I will always collect and never get rid of (unless out of some necessity ). My Vader items include statues, 6" and 3 3/4", nearly every thing and any thing Vader. So far I have nearly every 1/6 Vader including Hasbro, Sideshow and Medicom (the original Rotj, others too similar to buy but would still if I ever found them cheap). I should have been jumping for joy at this when announced but at $300 it's not a big enough improvement over Sideshows. I'm sure I'll break down and get him eventually but knowing HT will be doing other versions and after seeing the proto for Sideshows concept McQuarie Vader I'd rather have that. Heck I even have $200 in SS rewards so I could get this for a $100 but at this stage there's other stuff I want more. It doesn't help that I collect Marvel and DC (mainly Batman) stuff too.

 

[Matt S]

How can they get Fett so right, and this so wrong? That's the part I can't understand....

 

[jkno]

I don't get the impression HT cares for 100% accuracy. Terminator or RoboCop fans have a laundry list of complaints, too, and for sure in those cases, there likely will never be a second iteration of a character to make 'more accurate'. In most cases HT's effort will still be the best ever done to that time, and that's good enough for me (except for Chewie *coughs*).

Neither HT nor SSC are making props. Even the TIE from HT is not a prop replica. SSC is well known for the artistic interpretation regarding their product. HT items might be more accurate in some parts but not 100% not even 95%. We also know for sure that HT will make a new Vader some day. Who know, maybe this time they'll consider some of the suggestions made by fans. Or... not.

 

[cmiller99]

Wish they'd be more open to this kind of suggestions. But remember, HT have to make new Vader figures in the future, those can be described simply as "more accurate".

It's probably because they know that we'll buy it all anyway.

 

[Darth Fok]

How can they get Fett so right, and this so wrong? That's the part I can't understand....

I totally agree. It's like matchbox making cars wrong.

 

[vuuduu]

I come to the forums thinking my wallet is going to die yet you guys always make me second guess purchases lol.

I just can't get past the dome.

 

[jkno]

It's probably because they know that we'll buy it all anyway.

Not me. And a few others. But they will make new Vaders for sure, more or less accurate. But I will not spend my hard earned money on things I don't truly like

 

[CollectorGuy]

^^^ the same, i am not spending 300 bucks on a darht vader that sucks!

 

[Mandible]

Neither HT nor SSC are making props. Even the TIE from HT is not a prop replica. SSC is well known for the artistic interpretation regarding their product. HT items might be more accurate in some parts but not 100% not even 95%. We also know for sure that HT will make a new Vader some day. Who know, maybe this time they'll consider some of the suggestions made by fans. Or... not.

Yep. And that's exactly why I'm buying the 1/4 HT Stormtrooper - I bought the SSC only to complete my PF line-up - but that bucket has haunted me and is so many kinds of wrong, it's not funny

I sooooo hope they fix the helmet on the Vader - the rest is great.

 

[cmiller99]

Not me. And a few others. But they will make new Vaders for sure, more or less accurate. But I will not spend my hard earned money on things I don't truly like

^^^ the same, i am not spending 300 bucks on a darht vader that sucks!

Well sure, but we know the difference. The majority of 1/6 customers won't really see the difference though. And when the new Vaders come out they'll think "new shiny" and that will be that.