Utapau 12"

[nash]

By the way IJ, are you getting russ and howard's new obi anh parts on RPF?

 

[IrishJedi]

By the way IJ, are you getting russ and howard's new obi anh parts on RPF?

Yep. You?

 

[nash]

Yep. You?

You know it

 

[Puay]

I thought should someone start a poll on whether can we live with the helmet unchanged. I would definitely wish to see it changed. I have actually ordered 2 pieces from my local ratailer before realising the error.

 

[thenammagazine]

Re: Utapau 12" The nicey nice thread

I know that hte shoulder armor was grey, maybe on the helmets too. It's really subtle grey though, you could easily mistake them as all white.

You get a better shot of them at the Senate landing platform.

 

[Darren Carnall]

Re: Utapau 12" The nicey nice thread

I've not been getting involved in this debate as I'm not buying this figure, but the perfectionist in me asked me to bring up a couple of things I'd noticed that I don't think have been mentioned yet.

1) The sunken cheek area, doesn't go in far enough

2) Underneath the 'ears' where the front half of the helmet meets the back half, the face section isn't wide enough, resulting in the under ear section looking too wide.

3) Did the original version have these 'panels' that we're seeing on the face? I'm not sure as I don't have any replicas of this helmet, and havent' gone through the film frame by frame.

Now whilst I'm pointing some things out that I've seen... I'm not getting into the "this thing sucks and Sideshow can go to hell" attitude that I've seen from a few people on this forum.

All companies and people get things wrong from time to time, it's the good ones who admit it, as Sideshow have. It's simply one of those things. There's a lot of good about this figure, sadly all the attention is being focussed on this one part of it.

 

[paulcarson]

Re: Utapau 12" The nicey nice thread

I'm reserving any judgement until I see the finished product.

 

[automaton]

Re: Utapau 12" The nicey nice thread

after seeing both the original and the SST version, i prefer the latter... but then i always pick Coke over Pepsi in comparison tests...

 

[shocktrooper_au]

Re: Utapau 12" The nicey nice thread

I'm not in the Sideshow sucks camp, but I will say for me the helmet looking right is a key issue ( I luv helmets, I know i'm weird). I will be buying this as one look at Cloneobi tells me this will look great on my shelf, but I will always have that niggly little thought how odd the helmet looks everytime I look at it.

 

[Anzik]

I think people can live with this unchanged as long as the rest of the clones are accurate.

 

[Darth Cruel]

https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1394209&postcount=1191

Even that Helmet has some problems. If we are going to make a comparison, we need an accurate piece to make it to.

 

[BadMoon]

Re: Utapau 12" The nicey nice thread

You both must have missed this from the other thread thanks to the latest flame war:

Okay, here's my breakdown...

First off, upon close study of the hi-res I noticed even a couple more thing, but those would really be ticky-tack... especially at this scale... so I left well enough alone.

I think it's important to note (and this is key)... that none of these issues were present in the Kotobukiya, Gentle Giant, or Medicom Clone helmets in this scale. Indeed, even the Hasbro 3.75" helmet were sculpted more accurately. So Sideshow definitely can and should do better here.

With that, here you go....

First, a pic of the Master Replicas helmet (produced directly from the original ILM elements):

Now, the Sideshow prototype with the incorrect areas noted:

1. The bottom portion of the visor is far too thin. The black is not painted all the way down to the top of the frown, and it should be (they should be connected, actually). Even if it were painted in, however, it's too thin throwing off the look and shape of the visor itself.

2. The frown is too rigid (it should be more curved... see pic at top) and also too small. The gray/black paint scheme of the vents are also incorrect. Again, this is something all the other licensees got right.

3. The aerators are just wrong, wrong, wrong. Not only the wrong color, but the wrong shape and size. Also (and even more notable) the entire shape of the underside of the helmet is off. The aerators should sit against a flat backing within their "loops" (shaped almost like a sideways "p" or "q"). Here, they're just stuck inside portions of the helmet that jut out. This will especially affect the look of the helmet in profile, as well. Again, the aerators are off... but so is that whole underneath area (also something all the other licensees got right).

4. Mic area is the wrong size/shape. And the mic itself is inaccurate.

5. Chin area is "pinched" to a near beak-like look. It should be smooth and gradually fade toward each side (again, compare the reference pic and pretty much another other EP3 clone helmet out there).

6. Not a deal-breaker, but the top fin sits a bit too low and doesn't have the gradient flow into the top of the helmet like it should. It almost appears as if it were sculpted separately and then stuck on.

And here they are to compare, side-by-side (with Sideshow's without my color boxes and numbers):

Again, one of the biggest qualms is not that Sideshow's is incorrect... it's that they didn't even nail it as much as Hasbro did on their little crappy 3.75 figures! And certainly not anywhere near as accurately as Master Replicas, Kotobukiya, Gentle Giant, Medicom, you name it.

Cool?

Irish is also a wiz at touch screen nudey touch in bars.

 

[JustinLuck]

Re: Utapau 12" The nicey nice thread

Now whilst I'm pointing some things out that I've seen... I'm not getting into the "this thing sucks and Sideshow can go to hell" attitude that I've seen from a few people on this forum.

All companies and people get things wrong from time to time, it's the good ones who admit it, as Sideshow have. It's simply one of those things. There's a lot of good about this figure, sadly all the attention is being focussed on this one part of it.

Don't you hate it when you write a long post and then the whole thing gets wiped before you can successfully post it? Ahhh. Well, here goes a more succinct ver 2.

Hi Darren, I am not aware of anyone in the recent discussions that has expressed the sentiments that you describe. If I am included in this group that you are referring to, then the contents of my posts have been misconstrued.

Frankly, I am tired of the board mentality to jump on anyone who might have a legitimate concern or critique of a product and label them as people who have nothing better to do than bash Sideshow and say 'it sucks'. Same goes for the constant ridiculing with exaggerated made-up critiques that have no remote resemblance to what was actually being discussed by the 'anal retentives'.

I swear that more comments on this board are spent criticizing fellow forum members than the collective comments of criticism toward actual SW product. This forum exists, in part, to share our opinions on Sideshow products. It should not be interpreted as wrong to desire for items that you are interested in purchasing to be the best they can be. It is certainly not my prerogative to berate Sideshow or the people that work there.

Regarding the Utapau thread, the only reason that the helmet keeps being brought up is because Sideshow has not addressed the issue. Comments that imply Sideshow has admitted the problem are not entirely true. Shatterer of Dreams posted a couple messages on the subject. We do not know if anything mentioned here has actually been relayed to those involved in the project. You can read his comments at the bottom of this post.

Somehow, I am willing to bet that if Vader's helmet had suffered the same proportion problems that this Clone helmet has, then many of you would be singing a different tune.

I went back through the thread and collected the first comments, made by people in sequential order, noticing that something was off with the helmet when the figure was first announced for pre-order. Obviously I had to stop at some point because the posts go on and on. Here is a brief sample of the forum posts, with Shatter of Dream's comments at the end.

10-03-08 - Alice is the first person to comment.

There's something funky about the helmet; it doesn't look right. Of course we need more pictures, but from what I see on the preview, it doesn't look right.

The part over the "nose" of the mouth area looks a bit strange, but could just be the way the shadow and light are falling.

This looks awesome, and even though all I wanted were commanders, my will is slipping. Damn it.

There is something about the helmet that looks off. It's kind of a reversal of the problem with the stormtrooper helmet. On the stormtrooper, the jaw looked to big. But, on the clones, the jaw was supposed to be bigger. On this one, the jaw looks smaller, as if it has a stormtrooper jaw. Does anyone see what I mean?

Not complaining though. Just an observation.

What looks off is this:


It's too rounded and open. Almost looks upside down. As in the bottom and sides around the opening more out and the top is in. The sides of the 'jaw' also look a bit more recessed.

More clone images:
https://web.ukonline.co.uk/bingo275/rela_cloneprops.htm

It's not horrible, but it's odd how it's like that. The helmets are not too much different from a stormtrooper's in that area. Though a bit angular.

Maybe they just didn't post the bottom of the image yet or intentionally omitted the RAH label until it's official debut? Another clue is that they use images from the film for the background of the Medicoms. I'd prefer a Sideshow, but I don't know. Here is actually 2 images directly linked from Sideshow's website of a main promo image for the ROTS trooper (right-click and "view image" for proof). The bottom is missing:

​

Again, this was pulled directly from Sideshow's website. When you click the link, notice the bottom has the Medicom logo and the Utapau image certainly does look chopped. Here's the link:
https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=2011

great news this, but two things im afraid (boo hiss) helmets just not right, added a pic of my own EP3 clone bucket a 'marcello' apparently the bees knees for accuracy, not quite finished yet...but i think it shows the difference in the chin area...and sorry to say...lack of quilted suit, but im guessing theyre gonna have this on final product...

That helmet just looks weird. everything else looks good.

I like it, but it just doesn't look like $90 worth of goodness to me. Helmet looks off, and the armor is okay. But, if it was cheaper, I would get it, because it does look kinda cool.

The body proportions look so much better than the Medi. They just gotta fix the lower part of the helmet and it will be perfect. :chew

EDIT: Both blasters!? Hells ya!

the utapau clone looks great but yep, helmet looks a bit off, i'm pretty sure it'll get fixed.

First my gripes:
The helmet breathing apparatus is off.
The forearms look a little small, but they may be accurate
He looks like he's got cankles.
The exclusive is VERY lame-O-matic...as lame as "lame-o-matic"

Now to end on a positive note.
The rest of the figure looks friggin awesome!
The weapons are waaayyyyy better than Medi
The paint job looks amazing!!!!
Can't wait to get this bugger.

I bet Sideshow will correct this in the final product much like previous cases when they got things wrong.

I dun know why but i think the helmet for the clone is abit weird. The area where vents are located is kind of wide and the mouth is small. I kind of prefer the kotobukiya one than this.

The shape of the chin area is more glaringly obvious than a speck of paint (which is very easily fixed).

It popped right out for me and a few other people, too (whether they noticed exactly what was odd or not). Speaking for myself, it's not like I go looking for inaccuracies. If there's a something big, it just pops out. Not my fault I have a photographic memory.

If you can't see the difference between SSC's sculpt and the actual movie clone, don't start putting those of us who do down.

I love it. You have people who get critical on the piece because it's inaccurate, then the people who are overly protective and can't see anything wrong or don't care start insulting them!

They aren't perfect, but they are a hell of a lot better then what we saw with the PF Vader & Boba, If either of those sculpts where on 1/6th scale I would not buy,
The missing paint in the visor isn't too much of an issue, its easy to paint and that little touch up will make a suprising difference once done, the aerators throw me off the most, but in general the overall shape of the helmet looks good.
Ohh and it's good to see armour that looks like it could fit a human body inside

I wonder, since this is a proto. Will or can SS change/fix the helmet in the final product, or is that it? I know the paint apps can be changed, but will they create a whole new helmet?

Personally, its not about being anal. Its more about paying 100.00 (with shipping and in my case taxes) for inaccuracy. I still pre-ordered the figure though.

Pass, the helmet looks off to me, IMO.

https://web.ukonline.co.uk/bingo275/rela_cloneprops.htm

Here are movie close-ups of the helmet.

Much better than comparing it to something that's in the background and barely an inch in size. And blurry I might add.

There's a damn good reason why all the other companies look the same.

Because it's accurate.

Justin is right, it took them this long to make the clones, why the odd sculpt? Did they not use this? https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?p=5428

You need to chill out with the sanctimonious rhetoric.

Besides, you're playing straw men if you insist on a screenshot of the Utapau helmet. Everyone and their dog knows that the basic EP3 Clone Trooper helmet design is the exact same between all the variations. Only the paint schemes are different.

Because there will surely be many other EP3 Clones produced it's all the more important that Sideshow gets the helmet sculpt as accurate as possible the first time. It may not be a deal-breaker, but these innaccuracies are unfortunate and I for one hope they fix them.

I never though I'll say this but I Agree with all the points that you have brought up!!!
I sincerely hope that SS will actually take note of the inaccuracies and revise the helmet sculpt.

Hey guys, sorry to add fuel to this fire, but I'm going to have to add my name to the list of people disappointed by this figure. I'm not an anal retentive fanboy or a whining know-it-all, or whatever other names are being flung around this thread, I just happened to notice that something was really off about this figure. At first I couldn't even put my finger on it, I just knew something was wrong, and for someone like me, who is not a hyper accuracy nazi, to notice is bad news for this figure.

I even showed a friend of mine the pics, he doesn't collect figures, and he noticed right away something was wrong. Like me, he couldn't pin-point it at first, but just new it "didn't look right."

I've since figured out, like others, that the bottom half of the helmet is all kinds of wrong. Considering how Sideshow seemed to knock it out of the park with Vader and the Stormtrooper, this really bummed me out, I was so looking forward to Sideshow doing clones.

To make matters worse Sideshow decided to cheap out with the undersuit. The boots are a problem for me aswell, I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but the boots just sort of end at the ankle strap, making look as if they're wearing clone slippers. The boot should go up into the leg armor should they not?

This is something I really didn't want to say but, aside from weapons, it looks as if Medicom did a much better job with the clones.

Anyway, that's enough belly-aching.

You guys know that LFL has to approve EVERYTHING we do right? That includes the helmet - just wanted to make sure that we all know what we're talking about before we talk about how inacurate we are. I guess LFL doesn't know their own stuff either.

I've seen the photos that the artists used and it looks the same. I don't know what to tell you people about the helmet. We have a picture of the trooper by itself, we made it exactly like the piture sent it in to LFL and it was approved. That's it no big conspiracy or anything.

Could be, but you guys really don't know what we go through to get a figure made sometimes.

Thanks for the side by side i see it now. still think some slack should be given because of who has final say.

Just be a little kinder guys our artists work very hard and it's not always a good thing for people to slam someone's work. I'm not saying don't say anything just be more constructive about - this is not aimed at anyone in particular this is a message to all.

Let's all remember that this is a Prototype.......

Whenever you're dealing with a prototype things can change until we post the final pictures.

 

[MaulFan]

By the way IJ, are you getting russ and howard's new obi anh parts on RPF?

Are these prop parts or 1/6 figure parts?

 

[MaulFan]

I'm really glad this figure include the long rifle. Something about the Clone Troopers, they just don't look right to me with the Stormtrooper style smaller blasters, but they look really bad ass to me with that big rifle aimed.

 

[Coorectghosting]

Even that Helmet has some problems. If we are going to make a comparison, we need an accurate piece to make it to.

what problems does that helmet have?

 

[ProgMatinee]

I think people can live with this unchanged as long as the rest of the clones are accurate.

How do collectors enforce that? Once all the Clones are bought, SSC has the money. I'm not sure they see the incentive to fix it for future figures. Especially, as I said, when there is already existing proof (the open left hand) that they are fine with reusing and reusing and reusing subpar product.

Is everyone making a pledge not to buy the next one if it has the same problem or will we again just say, "well the next one better be fixed!"?

 

[FlyAndFight]

If they all end up "off", I'm sure someone will come to the rescue with a resculpt for sale.

 

[Anzik]

How do collectors enforce that? Once all the Clones are bought, SSC has the money. I'm not sure they see the incentive to fix it for future figures. Especially, as I said, when there is already existing proof (the open left hand) that they are fine with reusing and reusing and reusing subpar product.

Is everyone making a pledge not to buy the next one if it has the same problem or will we again just say, "well the next one better be fixed!"?

I would say that just by reputation alone, SSC has a proven track record of listening to their customers. For example the server crashes on PPO days, the color of Plo Koon's light saber, etc.
I think they make changes as long as its cost effective for them. Its only when those changes require costly retooling or resculpting that would essentially put them back to the drawing board.
It might just be the memory of how horrendous Hasbro was to deal with. The figures that didn't get produced, the inconsistency of quality, the lack of availability, the deafening silence when you would ask anything. But I always give SSC the benefit of the doubt. If it were my company there are some things I would do differently, like pricing, figure selection and prioritizing characters before lines die, but overall they are the best outfit to deal with.

 

[onethousandmasks]

How do collectors enforce that? Once all the Clones are bought, SSC has the money. I'm not sure they see the incentive to fix it for future figures. Especially, as I said, when there is already existing proof (the open left hand) that they are fine with reusing and reusing and reusing subpar product.

Is everyone making a pledge not to buy the next one if it has the same problem or will we again just say, "well the next one better be fixed!"?

If you go by what has been posted, alot of people are canceling their orders. I believe that if they dont fix the clone this time, they will fix on the next one(keeping my fingers crossed they fix it on this one).