[TheBlueMarvel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raine24

However many sour grapes may be in the mix, it's not dissonance downplay to point out perceived shortcomings, and it's kind of gross to write off criticism and critique as being inappropriate. How can the likeness of a $20 figure be up for "legitimate" concern, but concerns with the likeness of a $350 one is expressly the domain of naysayers and people rationalizing for the sake of their wallets?

Isn't it generally understood to people at large that a higher price point commands higher standards?

And this is not meeting those. It's competent, it clearly gets the job done, but by no means is it a clever or ingenious application of engineering talent. This is pretty effectively your standard articulation options, albeit applied to a form bigger and less human than usual. The only thing that doesn't appear to be rote is the head, but that only means someone went out of their way to articulate head in a way that... looked less accurate? More ugly?

Well, we disagree and if it's gross to engage in conversation that avoids red herrings in an effort to get at the substance of a matter, then I guess I'm disgusting in that regard.

All licensed toys are approximations and for many collectors whether to buy (or not) hinges on a combination of how well the source material is represented and the cost in comparison to perceived value. Although I'm not a regular Black Series patron, this Rancor hits the notes I would want. Outside of altered paint apps, I don't see where or how Hasbro could have made the fig look any more like the cinematic version.

As far as articulation and engineering are concerned, it's a big deal that this figure has between 10+ to 22+ more points of articulation than its smaller line-mate counterparts. If you're of the inclination to leave it in a static pose, just get a statue. For collectors that photo their figs, the ability to breathe life into the toy with a mandible adjustment here and turn of its ugly maw there, will be greatly appreciated; not to mention the numerous other options available for posing - rare for a figure of its size and (assumed) heft.

It's one thing to say this toy doesn't meet your translation standards. It's another to say that it's too pricey. Both are understandable perspectives, but to portray this as a poorly designed pedestrian effort is disingenuous. Insomuch as standards being commensurate with price point and what role that plays, I'd never pay $1300.00 for an iPhone Pro, but I know plenty of people that would and do pay that much. Everything is pretty much subjective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Designincase

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You look at Mythic Legions and you see them pushing their big figures further then Hasbro seems to be pushing this thing at $200. You see SOC pushing things further for their similar price point.

I'd say Hasbro's tiers need to be rethought in general. At the very least rearranged.

With the exception of the newest two (Rock Troll [with Forest head] and Forest Troll [with Ice head]), I have all of the Mythic Legions Trolls, including the Cyclops. While the sculpt and paint apps are indeed breathtaking, the articulation for this Rancor is far superior. It makes complete sense that the Rancor would cost more money as its production, articulation-wise, would be naturally more labor intensive.

$150-$200 more worth of production cost offset? Now that's a question worthy of debate.