Predator 1 Bio Mask

[Python]

Yeah, as above. If the magnets worked in mine I would have kept it but I wouldn't have been particularly happy with it. The sculpt is nice though.

 

[CallMe_Snake]

Is this mask really not worth getting? I've looked forward to the Classic mask for years

Thanks for the compliment, I'm slowly working towards getting it back to its former glory. Sold a few prop replicas a year ago when times were rough. I used to have a few Master Replicas pieces in the collection. Not anymore.

As far as if the bio is worth getting or not, from my point of view, it was.. for me anyways. It does have flaws, apparently some are worse than others. I got lucky with mine as the rough patch near the hose ports was not at as bad as some of the pics I've seen posted here. The paint job certainly could use some help, but we're not talking a major project. Some cheap acrylic paint, water to thin it out, and a few cheap brushes can help make it look way more authentic if you want to give it a personal touch. The changes I made to mine in those pics were done on my kitchen counter and took me less than an hour or so to do.

I also don't have a problem with the magnet in my stand, it does have a little play when using the desktop display but when using the stand as a wall mount, It's very sturdy. I can't speak for the quality of the stand vs the other bios from Sideshow as this was my first one from them. I was honestly surprised by how heavy the base felt when I picked it up. So I'm a little confused by the complaints about it feeling hollow and cheap, it feels solid and well made to me.

The only other mask I have owned and can compare it to is the Icons replica from way back. That wall mount was hallow and made of fiber glass, I honestly like Sideshows display way more.

As far as value? I originally paid $650 for my Icons mask, I had it for many years before selling it on eBay for $980. When I look back at it, compared to the Sideshow replica. I really feel like this new mask is a major step up in quality and authenticity compared to the Icons mask (even with the flaws I've mentioned), and at a much better price.

Right now, to the best of my knowledge it's the only officially licensed replica being made at this point. If that kind of thing is important to you than this mask might be right for you. Just my two cents anyways.

 

[mr.thrifty]

I can't speak for the quality of the stand vs the other bios from Sideshow as this was my first one from them. I was honestly surprised by how heavy the base felt when I picked it up. So I'm a little confused by the complaints about it feeling hollow and cheap, it feels solid and well made to me.

being your first bio from SSC I understand... If you ever get a chance to pick up one of the earlier bios you'll see the difference...

 

[CallMe_Snake]

Hmm... Probably never will. I've only ever been interested in collection stuff from the first two Predator movies. The stuff created by Stan Winston studios, their designs and execution were the best in my opinion. I always found the designs for the AVP, AVP:R, and Predators to just be awful looking.

I try to forget those movies even exist...

I'll never understand how or why the Predators have looked so terrible after Predator 2. I would have thought with better technology and bigger budgets, the FX would have gotten better. What Stan Winston Studios did with limited resources beats the crap out of anything that has come since then.

Example:
Amazing...

And then after waiting all those years to see new Predators, with newer FX technology, we get.. This..


I don't understand how or why anyone would want to buy a replica to remind them of anything to do with those versions of the Predators.

Haha, sorry. That was my little rant... What can I say, I'm a Stan Winston fan.
That's why I'm only interested in collecting stuff based on his work.

To get back on topic..


We're the older stands made of polystone? Super heavy material? The shipping weight on the package for this mask was 18 pounds, I'd say from the feel of the mask and packaging the majority of that weight was from the stand. I don't think I would want the stand/display to be too heavy, especially when it comes to hanging it on the wall.

 

[Collectorcol]

Wolf?

 

[mr.thrifty]

We're the older stands made of polystone? Super heavy material? The shipping weight on the package for this mask was 18 pounds, I'd say from the feel of the mask and packaging the majority of that weight was from the stand. I don't think I would want the stand/display to be too heavy, especially when it comes to hanging it on the wall.

Yep.. None of mine are wall mounted but I don't think anyone has had any issues regarding the weight... You sound like a fan of the original so I'd say pick it up and make your own decision.. Worst case is you send it back...

 

[CallMe_Snake]

Wolf?

Meh, I hated everything about AVP:R. The setting was terrible(earth?? Again?? A small town at that? Really Fox?), main characters worse, the FX work on the creatures not much better then AVP. I only watched it once and had no desire to ever revisit it, whatsoever.

I wish they would have gone with a future setting, involve Marines from The Aliens timeline. The AVP films were such a massively missed opportunity because Fox seemed hell-bent on setting them in present day and on earth. I don't understand why.

 

[Collectorcol]

I'll never understand how or why the Predators have looked so terrible after Predator 2.

I thought you were talking about Predator designs and not the movies

 

[CallMe_Snake]

I thought you were talking about Predator designs and not the movies

A bit of both actually, one goes with the other.

The wolf might have looked slightly better than those horrible designs from the first AVP movie, but the fact that AVP:R was such a terrible movie (in my opinion) is part of the reason he didn't make an impression with me. When I see his mask design or any collectible based on his look, I don't think "wow he looks cool", I think of how much that movie sucked.

I personally wouldn't want anything from those movies in my collection, reminding me of what disappointments they were.

Design wise, all I see when I look at his mask is the borrowed look of the City Hunter's mask shape, painted grey with spikes and lettering slapped on it.

He looks more like something I would see in a fan-film or cosplay compared to Stan Winston's originals. While he's not as clumsy looking as the AVP designs, he still has a rubber suit look that the original suits didn't have. He looks like a guy in a suit, compared to the original Predators looking like actual living, breathing creatures. Maybe I'm nuts. Lol

 

[Python]

I can't speak for the quality of the stand vs the other bios from Sideshow as this was my first one from them. I was honestly surprised by how heavy the base felt when I picked it up. So I'm a little confused by the complaints about it feeling hollow and cheap, it feels solid and well made to me.

I might try and weigh it before I smash it, but I'd say the others are comfortably two or three times heavier than this. But weight aside, this thing actually bends when you press it, it just doesn't scream quality to me as the others do. They are very much solid and also have felt lining where the magnets join, this just has a rough casting. The one thing I do like about this is the new way the wall mounts are installed, it will stop the felt being scratched up while trying to align it. Other than that it isn't great unfortunately.


P.S, his movie was dire! But Wolf is Awesome imo. The P2 bio is my favorite so I like that it was the bases for his mask. He did have a wall full of other designs to choose from.

 

[Python]

Few pictures before I destroy mine.

TURN DOWN THE PRESSURE!

 

[CallMe_Snake]

I might try and weigh it before I smash it, but I'd say the others are comfortably two or three times heavier than this. But weight aside, this thing actually bends when you press it, it just doesn't scream quality to me as the others do. They are very much solid and also have felt lining where the magnets join, this just has a rough casting. The one thing I do like about this is the new way the wall mounts are installed, it will stop the felt being scratched up while trying to align it. Other than that it isn't great unfortunately.

Hmm.. wow. That is a shame they slipped on quality with this one. Hopefully all of the disappointed customers demanding refunds will be a valuable lesson for Sideshow on future replicas, that something really needs to change.

I'm bummed to hear so many collectors are disappointed with this piece.

...and it hurts to think they force people to destroy these replicas for refunds in some cases.

Even with its flaws, the thought of officially licensed Predator mask replicas being destroyed hurts my soul. >_______<

I wonder... with all of these replicas being destroyed rather than returned, does that mean the edition size is now less than 500? lol

 

[Fastball Special]

Few pictures before I destroy mine.

]

You know in these photos it looks pretty nice.

Sorry you gotta destroy it. Seems such a shame

 

[Fastball Special]

Thanks for the compliment, I'm slowly working towards getting it back to its former glory. Sold a few prop replicas a year ago when times were rough. I used to have a few Master Replicas pieces in the collection. Not anymore.

As far as if the bio is worth getting or not, from my point of view, it was.. for me anyways. It does have flaws, apparently some are worse than others. I got lucky with mine as the rough patch near the hose ports was not at as bad as some of the pics I've seen posted here. The paint job certainly could use some help, but we're not talking a major project. Some cheap acrylic paint, water to thin it out, and a few cheap brushes can help make it look way more authentic if you want to give it a personal touch. The changes I made to mine in those pics were done on my kitchen counter and took me less than an hour or so to do.

I also don't have a problem with the magnet in my stand, it does have a little play when using the desktop display but when using the stand as a wall mount, It's very sturdy. I can't speak for the quality of the stand vs the other bios from Sideshow as this was my first one from them. I was honestly surprised by how heavy the base felt when I picked it up. So I'm a little confused by the complaints about it feeling hollow and cheap, it feels solid and well made to me.

The only other mask I have owned and can compare it to is the Icons replica from way back. That wall mount was hallow and made of fiber glass, I honestly like Sideshows display way more.

As far as value? I originally paid $650 for my Icons mask, I had it for many years before selling it on eBay for $980. When I look back at it, compared to the Sideshow replica. I really feel like this new mask is a major step up in quality and authenticity compared to the Icons mask (even with the flaws I've mentioned), and at a much better price.

Right now, to the best of my knowledge it's the only officially licensed replica being made at this point. If that kind of thing is important to you than this mask might be right for you. Just my two cents anyways.

Thanks for your input! I too only care about the Classic Predators look. Even P2's looked cool. I have been wanting a licensed P1 helm since I was a little kid lol

Is the mask itself fairly heavy? My concern is that it would feel flimsy. I had the Berserker Predator mask at one point and liked the look of it but sold it years ago.

I may try to get one of these on sale somewhere as I really just want this to hang in my man cave.

 

[Python]

Even with its flaws, the thought of officially licensed Predator mask replicas being destroyed hurts my soul. >_______<

I wonder... with all of these replicas being destroyed rather than returned, does that mean the edition size is now less than 500? lol

Mine too, it is only as I am international, obviously it is more cost effective to have these destroyed than to pay shipping back to California. The ES will indeed be lower than it was originally, 498 going on this thread alone so far.

You know in these photos it looks pretty nice.

Sorry you gotta destroy it. Seems such a shame

Yeah, the mask looks pretty decent when you stand back from it. I agree it's a shame, but I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for two pieces that don't fit together and after seeing other peoples I'm not going to risk a replacement. I have kept just the mask and fixed it up if a very large credit had been offered, but it isn't.

 

[Fastball Special]

Yeah, the mask looks pretty decent when you stand back from it. I agree it's a shame, but I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for two pieces that don't fit together and after seeing other peoples I'm not going to risk a replacement. I have kept just the mask and fixed it up if a very large credit had been offered, but it isn't.

That's the only reason I'm on the fence about this one still is that everyone says it's not fitting into the base properly. Are both magnets I'll fitted on yours? I read that the wall mount display option is still viable as that magnet is fitted well.

 

[Python]

All three are fitted, they just have barely any magnetism, not enough to hold the mask on the stand at any rate. The wall mount option is very slightly stronger, but it still wouldn't hold the mask safely.

 

[CallMe_Snake]

Thanks for your input! I too only care about the Classic Predators look. Even P2's looked cool. I have been wanting a licensed P1 helm since I was a little kid lol

Is the mask itself fairly heavy? My concern is that it would feel flimsy. I had the Berserker Predator mask at one point and liked the look of it but sold it years ago.

I may try to get one of these on sale somewhere as I really just want this to hang in my man cave.

To me, the mask feels nice and heavy. Much heavier than the Icons mask I mentioned before. It does not feel flimsy to me at all. Again, I'm just comparing the one I got to the Icons replica I had.. don't know about other Bios from Sideshow. :/

Also the magnet grips very strong on mine with the wall mount. It actually snaps down hard when I place it back up on the wall.

It seems some of them have better magnets than others.

So that is a slight risk, the mask you get could be better or worse. It is a shame Sideshow could not have been more consistent with the quality.

Worst case, if you get one with big issues.. Sideshow seems to be good about making it right with exchanges or returns. So you do have that going for you.

Verses buying a fan made mask from a forum, not knowing if you have a return/refund option to protect your investment.

 

[KoBE]

Few pictures before I destroy mine.

Hey, if you want to ship it to me, I can destroy it for you in a volley of awesome freedom gunfire and then I'll youtube it for confirmation.

 

[Fastball Special]

To me, the mask feels nice and heavy. Much heavier than the Icons mask I mentioned before. It does not feel flimsy to me at all. Again, I'm just comparing the one I got to the Icons replica I had.. don't know about other Bios from Sideshow. :/

Also the magnet grips very strong on mine with the wall mount. It actually snaps down hard when I place it back up on the wall.

It seems some of them have better magnets than others.

So that is a slight risk, the mask you get could be better or worse. It is a shame Sideshow could not have been more consistent with the quality.

Worst case, if you get one with big issues.. Sideshow seems to be good about making it right with exchanges or returns. So you do have that going for you.

Verses buying a fan made mask from a forum, not knowing if you have a return/refund option to protect your investment.

I will be on the look out for on at a good price.