Cylon Commander (Gold)
Review by AJProDie-Cast
The original Battlestar Galactica ran from 1978-1979 (I have blocked out the 1980's episodes, as hopefully you did). The Battlestar Galactica movie and later series, released on the heels of Star Wars, broke ground and inspired a generation. It was easily in the top ten of my favorite childhood shows and I gravitate towards anything that bears its name and/or design. Majestic Studios released a 12" inch figure; however, this review involves Amok Time's release (I believe the cloth materials and the skirt are the only main differences I could find when researched).
The doll comes in nicely designed box which flips open to enable a viewing of the figure and accessories. In addition, it is covered with nostalgic graphics from the TV series. The Cylon Commander lies in a plastic tray with a stand, dagger, blaster, and blaster rifle. You may notice my blaster has a worn, grey, and scratched look. Honestly, I loath a weathered look if not universal (notice only on one of three pieces is used looking). Also, until I noticed it was on both sides of the blaster, I thought it was done during shipping and not by the manufacturer.
The doll is tied down to the bare plastic tray with black twist ties, which in my opinion, creates a flawed packing system for chrome painted plastic. The Cylon seemed to rub around in transit, which left sublime and random marks/scratches on various aspects of the chrome.
The stand snaps around the waist with a thin wire and does hold the figure in place. However, be wary, when you pry the figure out of the U shaped wire, it may (did with mine) snap a blaster pack off the belt.
The Cylon Commander's only difference from the (silver) Centurion is the gold chrome (obviously) and a flimsy black leather skirt instead of the cool metallic disco skirt. You may be able to sense my disenchantment and sarcasm. I find this figure to be a stiff doll, poorly constructed, and deserving of a blind date with Barbie in her dream house instead of a place in my collection.
Both blasters sit very poorly in its molded hands and fail to create an aesthetic of functionality. The gauntlets and leg/arm sleeves (the cheap plastic parts you can see near knee and elbow joints) make posing the 1/6 ball jointed doll (BJD) frustrating and tedious. The dagger fits into the belt with a questionable peg design, so having it held by centurion looks...oblique to be kind.
I paid 38 USD including shipping on Ebay and while that was a deal compared to Amok Time's web page...I would like to go back in time and [ahem] slap myself. The figure is a doll wrapped in black cloth with little bits of chromed plastic velcroed to it. Check out the silver version review, it is a bright shiny day next to my dark cloud. For the record, Sanjeev's review is informative, enlightening, and distinguished (he is an all-star reviewer and I am a novice at best). I just disagree on the inherent value of this figure...I created this review as a yin to his yang for perceptive collectors.
Thereby, forgive my diatribe and bias...it does look "cool" from far away and to other collectors it may be a "gem" in their collection. I will endeavor to end on a positive note. I liked the box.
Posted 17 June, 2009 - 23:24 by AJProDie-Cast |
Comments
5 comments posted"By your cylon commander" on Ebay
"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this to be true." - James Branch Cabell 1926.
Hey, apex3, your photography's coming along nicely! That's that's a big deal because these figures are so notoriously tough to photograph well with all that chrome.
Anyway, real bummer that you didn't dig the Commander. I generally look at these as display pieces, not as toys. I mean, as long as the thing is in the general shape of a Cylon Centurion and is flawlessly chromed, I'm happy. And, yes, the chrome on mind was flawless.
I have to agree, though: I'd prefer a chromed-out action figure that was extremely poseable and had better accessories (and better hand-grip on them!). Have you considered getting a different doll body (like an Obitsu or a reissue Henshin Cyborg) and just hot-glue all the Cylon gear onto him??
Might be worth it!
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Sanjeev
Thanks for the idea, might do it.
Question, because I respect your opinion.
what about the ES fewture figures, I asked Josh, but would like your thoughts.
And I am debating buying the 1/350 Goten-Go (Atragon)
Code: AOS09143 Series: Toho Series it is on sale and reminds me of the Yamato
Yeah, I think you could find some sort of black spandex-y body suit for a regular doll body, then fit all the chrome armor and gloss black leggings, belt, etc., onto it...OR just slap all that stuff onto the bare body and see how it looks! Those Obitsu bodies are super-articulated, but the joints can get loose if you don't tighten the screws. I guess that's par for the course in the BJD (ball-jointed doll) world...
As for the other stuff, the Fewture ES Gokin certainly looks great. I tend to spend my money more carefully these days, so I don't mind waiting until stuff comes out and checking out reviews (here or on ToyboxDX) before buying. If you decide you want the toy based on reviews, you sometimes have to pay more if you miss the initial retailer sales and/or have to pick it up on the secondary market. But you know what? I find that reviews are often fairly negative for many things, so I end up passing on stuff I would have preordered and been dissatisfied with in the past! So, in the end, I end up saving money!
The same is true--for me, anyway--with these ES Gokin figures. I mean, they look great and come with great accessories (but no Get Machines with the Getter Robo guys!? what's up with that!?). Also, Fewture has a great track record with diecast. If you check out any of our EX Gokin reviews, you'll see nothing but praise (except for paint-chipping near joints). So, with this line, I'm tentatively hopeful...which, I guess, is as good as it gets for me!
As for the Aoshima Goten-Go, I say it comes down to one simple question: do you want a fancy diecast toy with electronic bells and whistles or do you want a simple, elegant, and super-playable vinyl of the ship? The diecast is super-heavy, absolutely photo-realistic, and really belongs on a fancy display stand on your coffee table. Sure, it's fun to pick up and fly around with the lights and drill on, but with all that weight, you actually have to be a bit careful you don't accidentally drop it or even fumble it and snap off a wing or cannon emplacement. The vinyl, on the other hand, looks gorgeous and fits right in with all your other vinyl kaiju from M1, Marmit, or Marusan....and you can literally throw the thing like a football down a hallway with ZERO fear of damaging it. Both definitely have their merits, so it just comes down to what you'd prefer.
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Sanjeev
My collection is normally diecast and 8" or bigger...so diecast is the way for me. Also because the Cylon Commander was a covered doll and not a plastic statue...It actually goes against my collections "rules"