I think the big issue here is that the people here who want this to be like an updated G1 Grimlock and still don't like it simply have standards that are way too specific.
Hasbro already gave us an updated Classics-style Grimlock in the form of the Classics Grimlock from 2006. But people complained that it wasn't faithful enough to the G1 Grimlock and felt too different.
Then we got the Masterpiece Grimlock that was VERY faithful to the G1 Grimlock while still being updated from the G1 version. But, they still complained for the opposite reason: It isn't that much of an update since it's just the straight up G1 version with modern engineering.
Fast forward to today and we have this Grimlock. A very updated Grimlock with a faithful appearance to the G1 version while also being different enough to call an update (even though it represents a different character, but these people are looking for G1 updates rather than new characters). Surely such a combination would satisfy those who are getting all that they ever wanted, right?
Right?
"It's ugly."
Hasbro finally gives what was asked of them, and the resultant response given is, "It's ugly."
This just goes to show that there is simply no pleasing people. They asked for a Classic-style update that resembles the G1 Grimlock faithfully enough while still being different enough to be called an update, and they turn it down for the pickiest of reasons.
You know something? If this isn't enough, then I don't know what is. Masterpiece Grimlock is the most definitive version of G1 Grimlock we've ever gotten, but people want an update. What baffles the mind is why anyone would want such an update when said update is not how the character looked in the fiction. Masterpiece Grimlock is the most show-accurate representation of the character we've ever gotten. If it's an update that's wanted, go for Classics Grimlock. If Classics Grimlock is too different from how Grimlock is supposed to look, then why on Earth would one want to get an updated version in the first place? Just go for the one that actually LOOKS like Grimlock. And here we have a Grimlock that is, for all intents and purposes, a compromise between the updated look of the Classics-style figures and the show-accuracy of the Masterpiece figures, and just so happens to also resemble the video game design of Aligned Grimlock. Despite being a separate character, the toy is still ripe for the repurposing into a Classics-style G1 Grimlock. Yet, even when
ALL the demands of these people have been
met by this toy, they can't help but
still look for faults in this figure to nitpick about.
Ya'll know what? If Hasbro
still didn't meet these satisfactions with this toy, then they probably never will. They already made a Classic-style updated Grimlock (Classics), a G1-accurate Grimlock (Masterpiece), and halfway point between the two (this one). They likely aren't going to try
again after hitting the nail so many times just because a certain group of fans have the most meticulous of standards that no real world toy company like Hasbro, TakaraTomy, or
anyone would ever cater to, as that's just expecting way too much.
And this is especially since Hasbro isn't even interested in doing more Classics-style figures right now since they're putting all their effort into getting the FOC figures out and available to the public. The Classics-style G1 character figures have had their turn and now it's time for others to have theirs. While Classics-style figures will likely come back at a later point, right now is not the time. And if and when they do make their return, there likely won't be
another Grimlock since that requirement was already met three times over with Classics Grimlock, MP Grimlock, and Generations FOC Grimlock. If none of these three Grimlock toys are satisfactory enough for a Classics-style collection, then I don't know what else to say other than something like, "Oh well."
Man, I need a drink.
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:10 pm
