Author Topic: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"  (Read 13034 times)

monsterswin

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #30 on: June 24, 2010, 06:07:34 PM »

 Same here. Back when I was a kid I didn't like them too much. Now I think they are pretty cool. Have all the PL reissues and ONE of these days will get around to building some.


      Robert T.
Monsters are strong and powerful so that's why I work out!

Scatter

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #31 on: June 24, 2010, 06:20:09 PM »
Same here. Back when I was a kid I didn't like them too much. Now I think they are pretty cool. Have all the PL reissues and ONE of these days will get around to building some.


      Robert T.


The Nostalgia Factor.
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monsterswin

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #32 on: June 25, 2010, 09:35:37 AM »
The Nostalgia Factor.


     Yeah that's definitely part of the equation.


         Robert
Monsters are strong and powerful so that's why I work out!

Mord

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #33 on: June 25, 2010, 10:08:12 AM »
Hey, MonsterBob, why the unfair and unprovoked slam on Sideshow? Your comment that their product is "lame" is mean-spirited and completely untrue. Don't you realise that about half the people on this site collect and cherish these things? Why must you insult us? I get it, your stuff is superior because it's at least forty years old, covered in dust, and made for children.Your statement about Sideshow making old man toys may not be alltogether untrue, but don't you realize that most of us ARE old men. Playing in the bathtub with soakies doesn't cut it anymore. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sixties monsterkid. I pray to the altar of Aurora and Marx, but I would have killed for Sideshow or Billiken back then. I hope I'm not being too harsh, but the constant put-downs by ye ole vintage collectors is draining and disrespectful. Don't put down my stuff and I won't laugh at your Lincoln figures....fair?

Monster Bob

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #34 on: June 25, 2010, 11:04:54 AM »
Just my opinion, but for me it seems about half of what Sideshow does disappoints me, execution-wise. And not necessarily limited to the monster stuff.

Don't get me wrong- I think alot of their stuff is really good . Most of the earlier monster stuff, the 8" and 12" dolls were fine. A few issues here and there (like the Frankensteins), but overall good for the price. And then they got greedy.

Blatent example- their 1956 Elvis Presley "premium" figure. Boy, did I have high hopes on that one. Absolutely horrible. Looks like they used the singing Elvis telephone as a model (but it looked much better). Too skinny, facial sculpt terrible. And overpriced to boot.




Especially in the last few years, the prices have gotten out of line, and it seems the likenesses are crapshoots. If you're going to charge $350 for something, at least make it look good! And when they produce an exceptional looking figure, they limit it to 50 made...HUH? [example that comes quickly to mind- the Ardeth Bey bust and some of the James Bond stuff]. I'm sure there are alot of guys that think the same way about some of their more current creations- the ones that sell out in 3 hours.

Not knocking anyone who enjoys their figures. I have the Dracula/Renfield "stairs" figure myself and like it plenty. It's just that over time, and overall as a company, they have disappointed me again and again, to the point where I really don't pay much attention to their new stuff anymore. I am of the mindset that just because it's a monster doesn't mean I'm going to buy it, particularly if I don't like it.



Again, just one dog's opinion.  ;D



Mord

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #35 on: June 25, 2010, 01:44:09 PM »
I only look at their classic monster line and can find little fault in them. Yes, the Elvis is a piece of crap as is their Chris Lee Count Duku and many other recent ones. But when I hear someone complaining about the monster 8" and 12" lines and then turn around and praise Lincoln, Palmer,and to a slightly less degree AHI, I see a contradiction. The Sideshow people were genuine Universal fans and made sure that the original figures were as accurate as possible and even included amazing accessories like Talbot's walking stick and a jar with an abnormal brain for Frankie (not to mention all the great characters that had never seen the light of day before...Ygor, Talbot, Renfield, G. Strange Frankie etc.) It burns me to see people praising Lincoln, Remco, Mego and in the same breath putting down a truly great company like Sideshow. Most of those vintage figures looked like they had been sculpted by people who had never even seen the movies (Aurora and Marx excluded...they were truly exceptional). The companies put those out to cash in on the monster craze. They had no real passion for the Uni monsters like Sideshow did in the beginning. I will agree that the last few years have been sloppy and profit-driven,but that shouldn't detract from the beautiful, honorable work they did those first few years. I dare anyone to post side by side comparison pics of Sideshow and any other mass-produced figures of the same Universal monster.....there's no contest.Sorry about the run-on setences and grammar.

Scatter

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #36 on: June 25, 2010, 04:39:09 PM »
Just my opinion, but for me it seems about half of what Sideshow does disappoints me, execution-wise. And not necessarily limited to the monster stuff.

Don't get me wrong- I think alot of their stuff is really good . Most of the earlier monster stuff, the 8" and 12" dolls were fine. A few issues here and there (like the Frankensteins), but overall good for the price. And then they got greedy.

Blatent example- their 1956 Elvis Presley "premium" figure. Boy, did I have high hopes on that one. Absolutely horrible. Looks like they used the singing Elvis telephone as a model (but it looked much better). Too skinny, facial sculpt terrible. And overpriced to boot.




Especially in the last few years, the prices have gotten out of line, and it seems the likenesses are crapshoots. If you're going to charge $350 for something, at least make it look good! And when they produce an exceptional looking figure, they limit it to 50 made...HUH? [example that comes quickly to mind- the Ardeth Bey bust and some of the James Bond stuff]. I'm sure there are alot of guys that think the same way about some of their more current creations- the ones that sell out in 3 hours.

Not knocking anyone who enjoys their figures. I have the Dracula/Renfield "stairs" figure myself and like it plenty. It's just that over time, and overall as a company, they have disappointed me again and again, to the point where I really don't pay much attention to their new stuff anymore. I am of the mindset that just because it's a monster doesn't mean I'm going to buy it, particularly if I don't like it.



Again, just one dog's opinion.  ;D





I love Sideshow, but I have to agree with Bob on some key points. And the Elvis figure is a perfect example. I'm an enormous Elvis fan, and I wouldn't buy that figure. The sculpt just doesn't get it. Especially not for the bread they charge. Other things they've done are amazing, but the artificial limits on the product keep them out of my hands too.

Overall, they're the best in the field at what they do, but there is definitely a "hit and miss" element here that isn't in line with their pricing.
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Dr.Terror

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #37 on: June 26, 2010, 02:39:07 PM »
The problem with Sideshow is they  don't make toys, they make instant collectibles.     The monster rods in a sense were toys and capture whats cool about monster toys, a bit cartoony or exaggerated but all monster.   The sideshow stuff is neat, but it doesn't have that warm and fuzzy feeling of a vintage or retro styled toy.   Other than the 8" and 12"  its either too stylized (little big heads)  or just grossly overpriced and hardy any bang for the buck (premium format).    For me the Sideshow stuff just isn't fun.   
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monsterswin

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #38 on: June 26, 2010, 02:54:53 PM »

   Have to agree with some of thee griping about Sideshow. I own ALL of the 8" and 13" monsters and (except for the Karloff Frankenstein in the 13" line) they nailed them all pretty damn well. The 8" ones are the best, but a White Zombie? Fred March Hyde? Kudos to them for producing those.

  Yes, they did get greedy. To charge as much as they do I expect something to wow me and many times they don't. The premium figures are pretty cool, but the price might not reflect that!

   I have the way cool Frankenstein meets the Wolfman, but not those really expensive busts. Also I have seen super hero statues that are twice as much (or more) than any Bowen versions and NONE of the Sideshow statues can hold a candle to Bowen. Even though they costs a lot more !

   Based on everything I have seen they are pretty hit and miss. Thank god I don't collect Star Wars stuff, but if I did I would own some of the Sideshow stuff. "Some" of it means that  some looks great others not so much. Of course then there are those sky high "collectors" prices.


      Robert T.
Monsters are strong and powerful so that's why I work out!

Mord

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #39 on: June 27, 2010, 09:34:49 PM »
When I praise Sideshow I'm only referring to the 8" and 12" lines. Those are IMO the very best representations of the Uni monsters in toy form. While I do enjoy the premium format figures, the only reason I have them is because I got them all at cost. They are grossly over-priced indeed. I'm more wowed by high-quality sculpts than by sentimental or nostalgic considerations. I would buy all those amazing garage kits except for the fact that I have absolutely on modeler talent. That's why I settlle for the Sideshow high-end stuff. I did buy some incredible, built-up Bama Aurora art kits. Those are the best of the best (today's high-quality sculpts meet yesterday's aesthetics).

monsterswin

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #40 on: June 28, 2010, 10:50:31 AM »
When I praise Sideshow I'm only referring to the 8" and 12" lines. Those are IMO the very best representations of the Uni monsters in toy form. While I do enjoy the premium format figures, the only reason I have them is because I got them all at cost. They are grossly over-priced indeed. I'm more wowed by high-quality sculpts than by sentimental or nostalgic considerations. I would buy all those amazing garage kits except for the fact that I have absolutely on modeler talent. That's why I settlle for the Sideshow high-end stuff. I did buy some incredible, built-up Bama Aurora art kits. Those are the best of the best (today's high-quality sculpts meet yesterday's aesthetics).


  Agreed that the 8" and 13" are the best toy representations around. Except for the Karloff Mummy. That one needed special work and it wasn't done. Some kind of padding underneath the bandages would have helped. They just wrapped the bandages around the doll figure and it looks kind of crummy. One of these days (and I have a long list of stuff like this) I am going to bash that one. Take the bandages off, fill it out better, re color the bandages etc. Of course like all these kinds of doll lines the other disappointment are the bodies. They have to use the same bodies for every doll. Obviously to keep it cost effective they have to do this, but how cool would it be to have different shaped/sized bodies on the 13" line?


      Robert T.
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Mord

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #41 on: June 28, 2010, 07:54:49 PM »
Ironically enough, the Mummy is the most saught after of the lot. I don't really see the problem since Karloff himself was quite skinny.

Opera Ghost

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #42 on: June 29, 2010, 11:24:20 AM »
That FIGURES. It was the only one that I bought/ assembled. Have no recollect whatever happened to it.
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empty13

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #43 on: June 29, 2010, 07:44:06 PM »
that isnt elvis. it's bobby darin.

Mord

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Re: Why I didn't like the Aurora" Monster Rods"
« Reply #44 on: June 29, 2010, 08:02:41 PM »
Neither, it's Mr. Ed. Look at the teeth!

 

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