Prop Predator 2 'City Hunter' Mask Prop Replica

[Xenoburger_]

There's a brand new one on eBay for $296 + $34 shipping.

 

[mr.thrifty]

Saw that one.. Don't have the $$ right this moment with the P1 shipping soon...

 

[Python]

The P2 bio did not look dull or dusty in the film. The prop might have actually been dull/dusty, but it didn't look it in the movie. It was quite shiny. The version used for the majority of the film, at least.

If I remember correctly, the stunt bio that HCG's is cast from was only seen in one scene in the film, when the predator is crawling on top of the train. I don't recall the bio looking dull/dusty in that scene, but it was a very dark scene so I might not be able to tell regardless.

Anyway, whether it's accurate to the bio used in that scene or not, I don't like it. The color isn't the same as the bio used in the other 99% of the film.

This is what I see when I think of P2:



It's got that shiny, dirty gold thing going on.

It's perfectly fine that you don't like the stunt version but you're missing the point. We can all agree here that the Hero P2 bio is a thing of beauty. It is my personal favorite of all the bios and I would love to get hold of a casting of it, whether it be raw or from a company like SSC. But that isn't going to happen because it doesn't exist anymore as far as we know. The stunt mask however does still exist in a very lucky collectors collection, he was kind enough to let HCG borrow it. The stunt isn't as iconic or pretty as the Hero, but it is a different mask built for a different purpose so it probably isn't a fair comparison, the Hero is made for the beauty shots and it does its job very well indeed. You are correct also, as I mentioned above also that it only appears once in the film as far as I can tell but that is beside the point... it still appears unlike any other P2 masks you can buy today. Also, powdery was the wrong word, it doesn't actually look powdery, what you're seeing is just texture from the various paint tones, the Copper oxide in particular. This isn't a bad thing, compared to some of the rubbish single paint layered bios I have received in the past, the HCGs paint app is a thing of beauty. It's the only bio I own that I don't want to repaint or alter in any way. That's as higher praise as I can offer something like this.

When I look at my HCG P2 mask, I don't just see a dull P2 bio, it isn't just another fan made bio that slightly resembles the P2 mask. It is the real deal, I see the exact sculpt that was created by Stan Winston studios and used in the movie, it is a piece of cinematic history and it is the only piece we have access to. I'm very happy I own it for this reason alone, plenty of people have tried to make a hero version, but none have quite succeeded. And to be fair, the stunt bio is hardly a bad looking thing, I love it.

Here is the genuine screen used Stunt mask, HCGs offering comes very close, saying it isn't Gold/copper coloured isn't a fair criticism as it really shouldn't be.

 

[Xenoburger_]

I understand that HCG's stunt replica is accurate to the stunt mask and shouldn't be painted identical to the hero. I'm simply saying I much prefer the hero mask colors as that's what I'm used to seeing in 99% of the film.

I still want to get the HCG one though, and after reading your post I want it even more. I think I'll wait to make any decisions until Coolprops shows whatever else they have in store for P2 though. They did an excellent job with the Gort bio and I hope they can make an accurate P2 hero bio.

Is HCG's bio as big as the real one in those photos? That looks enormous.

 

[Python]

I agree, I prefer the hero version also. Just arguing my case for the easily overlooked stunt which is a very beautiful piece within its own right.

It is smaller than the hero version which is why I am interested in seeing it next to this SS P2. But the size is good as you can see below, bear in mind that the P2 is quite a swept back mask also so it has a lot of depth.

 

[MIKE M]

Just saw someone got the mask in and it's bad and not the good bad

 

[mr.thrifty]

Just saw someone got the mask in and it's bad and not the good bad

 

[Freak-1138]

Mine arrived today - I really think it's a great piece. Nice sculpt and the overall look is very cool.

The paintjob isn't as bad as I thought, it's consistent and there's quite a lot of details and nice weathering done to it. The corroded details look really great, but mostly on the disc/base, it's barely visible on the mask in these pictures, and almost look gray, but there's a few good applications of that light blue/greenish corrosion all around..

Only problem is that the dark weathering on the helmet is overdone, too much brown and black, and it looks nowhere like the screen-used helmet - the details are quite randomly added and not where it should be, comparing it to the original hero. At first I thought the helmet was just painted a very dark plain color with no actual layering to it, but there's actually places where the gold/brass color shines through.

I knew when ordering it, that I was gonna touch up the paintwork, as has become the standard on almost every Sideshow product I've bought. And I was going to paint it more accurate to the hero mask, but it may be possible to actually take off some of the weathering to achieve this look. I'll have to look into that. Will update with my (repainted/cleaned and weathered again) version of it later.

In the meanwhile here's a few pictures:

 

[mr.thrifty]

Awesome man!! Glad you like it...

Great pics btw!

 

[Python]

It is just the warping putting me off buying this one, it would annoy the heck out of me. Glad you're happy though Freak, Gort looks great!

 

[Freak-1138]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm glad I bought it. Wasn't scared off by the reviews.. Wanted to see it for myself before I judged it.. I'm positively surprised..
and with a new paintjob, I'm certain it will look a lot better. I actually like the lens mesh too, I know it's not at all accurate, but it has a clean, cool look to it. I might mod it though. I'll see when I get started on the whole repaint process.

My P1 mask, also from Sideshow, should be here Thursday/Friday this week, and even though the first reviews of is has been a bit on the negative side, paint and weight-wise, I'm sure it will be cool. Certainly it'll be a great base for a nice paintjob.

 

[67L88Stingray]

Part of the negative reviews stems from the fact that the paint is part of the problem. You shouldn't have to repaint you brand new prop, that is BS.

 

[Freak-1138]

I'm not sure if it's just mine or if the pictures just make it look more warped than it is,
but I don't see that great of a warp in person. My disc/base also doesn't have that warp
some have reported, as you can see in my pic. I got a lower number (#51) Not sure if it's
possible that such a warp could have occured on later pulls or something, or just randomly.
But yeah, I'm happy with this mask, and when I've given it a complete makeover, it'll be awesome

Thanks, that's the CoolProps/Kotobukiya P2 Guardian (P1 Gort) which I also repainted as soon as I got it.
The orignial P1 (Gort), P1, and P2 are my all time favorite bios.

It is just the warping putting me off buying this one, it would annoy the heck out of me. Glad you're happy though Freak, Gort looks great!

 

[Freak-1138]

You're completely right! - It surely shouldn't be necessary to repaint a brand new (and expensive) prop like this.
But unfortunately Sideshow has made it their standard these years to release products with inferior paintjobs..

Part of the negative reviews stems from the fact that the paint is part of the problem. You shouldn't have to repaint you brand new prop, that is BS.

 

[Python]

I'm not sure if it's just mine or if the pictures just make it look more warped than it is

No, It isn't just yours so don't worry, the prototype on Sideshows site is the same, it is the cheek area, they don't match. If I didn't have the HGC version I'd probably give in and get it, but I do, and I love it so no need to get this in the knowledge I'd have to repaint and correct the lenses.

Coolprops have teased at a p2 release of some kind, here's to hoping it is a hero P2!

 

[Xenoburger_]

Coolprops have teased at a p2 release of some kind, here's to hoping it is a hero P2!

And here's to hoping it's not the same price as their AvP Ancient predator bio.

 

[Python]

And here's to hoping it's not the same price as their AvP Ancient predator bio.

Yeah, still not sure how they justified that one...

 

[j97e1]

The Gort look awesome, but I would return the P2.
Not just the paint, or warp - It's also not swept back enough. Looks like a fan-made for Halloween bio with a cool base.
Return it, and use the money for the HCG. You won't regret you did.

 

[Freak-1138]

Ahh alright.

Yeah, saw that a while ago - would be sooo cool if it was a hero P2!
The work they did on the Guardian/Gort was excellent!

No, It isn't just yours so don't worry, the prototype on Sideshows site is the same, it is the cheek area, they don't match. If I didn't have the HGC version I'd probably give in and get it, but I do, and I love it so no need to get this in the knowledge I'd have to repaint and correct the lenses.

Coolprops have teased at a p2 release of some kind, here's to hoping it is a hero P2!

 

[mr.thrifty]

And here's to hoping it's not the same price as their AvP Ancient predator bio.

Yeah, still not sure how they justified that one...

But it I thought ya'll would gladly pay more for a better product?