Sideshow ESB/ROTJ Darth Vader

[SixthScaleEdward]

Still kinda excited for this, but the new pics/videos have me worried.

(actually, I almost lost all excitement. )

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

Yup. Not sure why some people are convinved Hot Toys would do a better job accuracy wise.

They'd get the dome size & shape right, & not make the figure an inch taller than it should be - for starters.

Add to that a far more suitable base body, better quality bodysuit - etc.. &, yeah.

 

[RavenEye]

Don't forget! We'd probably get real leather or synthetic stitched gloves!

 

[Punisher75]

I disagree...Vader is way way too tall compared to the other 12"ers.....not even close. He was not a full foot plus taller than the 6'3" stormies.....

Storm Troopers in the films were between 5'10' and 5'11" so at most 6'1 in costume not 6'3" most of them were actually right at 6" even since they tried to get as many 5'10" actors for the armor as possible. The trooper helmets do not add a lot of height like the Vader helmet, the screen used helmets had a star shaped 1/2" piece of foam in the top of the helmet and a strap that came down and went under the actors chins.

 

[budafett]

They'd get the dome size & shape right, & not make the figure an inch taller than it should be - for starters.

Add to that a far more suitable base body, better quality bodysuit - etc.. &, yeah.

Their Vader would also push closer to a $500 range.

 

[shocktrooper_au]

I can't see that, with the pricing iron man etc

 

[SixthScaleEdward]

Most HT could charge for Vader is $350 assuming it's also a two-pack same as Luke.

 

[Wanderer]

I've never known a collectible to divide opinion like this; looking great in some pics (this) and absolute dog **** in others.
The only way we'll really know if we like it, invidually, will be if we go out and buy the piece. For me though it's a massive risk when it costs so much and potentially, the faults will just bug the hell out of me. Shame because the extras and the box it comes in hits all the right notes.
Most folk might laugh but the Medi version, despite being so small, looks more accurate in my eyes which is a shame as I want the perfect representation of Vader on my shelf standing opposite Old Ben.
I've said this before but how, with 30yrs of reference material and the resources at their hands, not to mention their second crack at the figure, did they drop the ball yet again? Shoddy The height isn't a deal breaker but the dome, off looking mask, big hands, spaghetti arms and puffy suit are glaring f'k ups.

Whilst I commend, those who are willing to mod it, I have a massive issue parting with money just to part with more money to fix the errors. My principals kinda stop me from going there...

On a side note, even as a StarWars fan growing up with the OT, I actually never noticed up to seeing everyone's comparison pics, that Vader wore his inner robe over his chest armour in Episode IV. Wow; learn something new every day!!

 

[OSCORP]

Why couldn't SS do something like this with the sculpt? Seems like a missed opportunity.

 

[Wanderer]

Oscorp, do you know if this version is taller than Medi 's original ROTJ Vader??

 

[OSCORP]

Yes by about half an inch.

 

[TheFiend]

They'd get the dome size & shape right, & not make the figure an inch taller than it should be - for starters.

Add to that a far more suitable base body, better quality bodysuit - etc.. &, yeah.

Vintij...

There is absolutely no way to know that. Aren't there complaints about the Iron Man helmets and other parts being undersized? That's a man in a suit. As far as the inch taller, is this Vader an inch taller than he should be? I thought someone said it was 13.5 inches. We'd probably get a better base body, but a better quality suit? ehh..Better wouldn't necessarily mean good. Besides the ANH is nice and I see HT making something similar. Not sure why SSC didn't just go with that one.

Would Hot Toys make an awesome Vader? Yeah, probably. I'd like to see one. But I'm not inclined to think it would be accurate and/or better than this one. They could give us a better base body and suit and **** up everything else. Certainly the cape.

 

[pixletwin]

Yes by about half an inch.

Isn't that only because of leg extensions?

Besides, the Medi-Shaw reminds me of this:

 

[Matt S]

Storm Troopers in the films were between 5'10' and 5'11" so at most 6'1 in costume not 6'3" most of them were actually right at 6" even since they tried to get as many 5'10" actors for the armor as possible. The trooper helmets do not add a lot of height like the Vader helmet, the screen used helmets had a star shaped 1/2" piece of foam in the top of the helmet and a strap that came down and went under the actors chins.

Well, I was basing 6'3" on the snowtrooper outfit that I saw the one year the travelling SW show happened, so could be of with some others.

The Snowtrooper outfit seemed about the right size for a guy my height, 6'3"

I've talked to Prowse too years ago, and could have sworn he told me that in full outfit, from helmet to boot he was about 6'10" in full vader, but may be misremembering what he told me

 

[jedibear]

Well...after the O-Boy Video review had me nearly canceling, the photos and review over at RS brought me back...it looks great. Looking forward to this now....

 

[omegaglory1]

I'm tempted to get this one. In case anyone doesn't know already, I love my ANH Vader. Taking the ideas from other people on this forum, I customised the hell out of it. Still, this one has a lot going for it.

Pros
1) Articulation looks pretty good. That kneeling pose is pretty awesome.

2) Bodysuit has a screen accurate look to it. This is a big step up from the ANH figure.

3) Height and proportion. I'm seeing a small difference in height but perhaps more importantly SB Vader looks better proportioned.

4) Cape and tunic. These appear to drape better than the old version.

Cons
1) Bodysuit looks kind of baggy. Maybe the body underneath is too skinny or it was as deliberate decision for fear of the suit being strained.

2) The costume seems kind of ill fitting. This is more so in some pics I've seen. It's possible this can be remedied with a bit of futzing.

3) Helmet is still kind of funny looking. I don't need 100% screen accuracy but it looks a bit on the small side.

 

[joda76]

Still getting this and looking forward to having it in hand to judge for myself. So far I think it looks pretty darn good and better than the ep 4 version.

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

There is absolutely no way to know that.

Sure - of course HT get things wrong, they're not infallible.

It's a stretch to talk in absolutes when a lot of this is subjective - but generally speaking, their mistakes & misfires don't stack up in quite the same way as SSC's do in my view.

One's mileage will vary in that regard obviously..

 

[Invictus Sol]

I've never known a collectible to divide opinion like this; looking great in some pics (this) and absolute dog **** in others...

Perception is a funny thing. What I'm finding surprising with this release, personally, is the seeming large number of people that pre-ordered Vader based off the prototype pics who are now unhappy with the production piece. Doesn't make any sense to me at all. His suit is way baggier in those pics, helmet is way more off and suit itself super shiny ("liquorice suit"). It was terribly futzed and looks like ****. It's why so many held off until seeing how it turned out. What we got isn't perfect, but to my eyes better in every way that what's on SSC's site (excluding the video). Seriously, I don't get at all how someone could look at those proto pics, decide Vader looks 'great' or 'good enough', pre-order and then be complaining now. Hopefully someone can explain in what ways the POS prototype that got them to PO is somehow more accurate that what was produced.

...I thought someone said it was 13.5 inches...

SSC's website has him listed as 13.5" (I checked and they have ANH Vader listed at 14"), which, if accurate, is perfectly in scale with Prowse being 6' 9" in costume. Hopefully they do not have the measurements wrong. Pixletwin was saying ANH Vader is actually 14.25" but it would be weird if Sideshow's site is a full 3/4 of an inch off.

...I've talked to Prowse too years ago, and could have sworn he told me that in full outfit, from helmet to boot he was about 6'10" in full vader, but may be misremembering what he told me

I'm sure that's accurate. Site I went to estimated 6' 9" but either way, 13.5" is as close as you're going to get in 1:6 scale.

 

[flamingdead]

I've been on the fence on this one since day one, still think it could be better in a good few ways, but decided I'm gonna get one, but, it'll mean getting shot of my ANH Vader.
It's got an Iforigno cape set and I've done the Hasbro dome conversion.
So, what do you guys think I should try and get for it, and, anyone here interested?