Khev, by now there is ample evidence to support the claim that "Sideshow just doesn't get INDY". They've basically punted on this license since Day 1. That's probably why folks are over-sensitive about details on this particular PF. I know I'm still waiting on a 100% homerun INDY collectible from them (the first Indy PF was close... Mola Ram looks like it might be it).
I get the bitterness over SSC's mishandling of the license overall. But I don't think that should overshadow the stellar TOD PF's (not that, as you say, anyone's really complained about Mola Ram.)
And it's not about being scene-specific, either. It's about the character's iconography. Ask 100 INDY aficionados if it makes more sense to display him holding either his whip or a Sankara stone, and 99 of them will say "whip" without any hesitation. The 1 is obviously one of our resident Sideshow apologists.
Of course I have to assume you're saying I'm the SSC apologist, which is strange considering my take on many of their products over the years. Regardless, half of those "Indy aficionados" you're referencing would have probably preferred Rope Bridge Indy come with a switch out revolver hand.
The PF has the whip. Done. Before it was previewed I, like pretty much everyone, hoped he'd be depicted as he appeared on the bridge but was a little bummed that it'd be difficult to showcase the stones in the same scene. I like the
option to put one of them in his hand. A nice touch.
Like I said before... overall, I like this PF. And I'll get it. But it's yet another "Oh, so close..." lesson in frustration with this license.
I still say this one is a home run. So many great elements from TOD, a fantastic pose and a great sculpt. Maybe an in-the-park homerun as opposed to a grand slam, but a total win nonetheless.
P.S. I don't mind the "clean" shirt, either. But the lack of stubble? Lame. Particularly lame after small_studios painted it on the prototype and they did away with it.
We'll just have to wait and see the final product. Maybe they're pulling a "GI Joe Firefly" with this one and showing a detuned head paint job before updating it before general release. The KOTCS PF turned out better in production, so its possible.
On a total side note, my excitement for this PF prompted me to pop the TOD DVD into the player last night. My wife watched it with me and right around the part where Indy was being given the blood of Kali she asked "Who made this movie again?" I said "Lucas and Spielberg, duh!" And she said, "yeah but it doesn't really feel like Spielberg, this one just seems more 'adventury' than his other movies."
TOD rocks.
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