More Promo Images - Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-27 Ironhide

ScottyP wrote:I think I figured out what the problem is here that I'm having with this figure that I really, really want to like, but keep feeling more and more let down by.



Someone, somewhere said "It has to fit in the trailer." This leaves us with comparatively big robot getting shoehorned in to a small van design. That's likely where some of the very obvious design compromises come from, including the way too skinny head.

There are some nice things to say about this release. The actual alt mode looks great, the sled and accessories are an awesome touch, and I'd bet that the actual practice of transforming it between modes is going to be pretty fun. Just can't get over how genuinely bad the robot mode looks, despite it being close to not looking bad at all.

Seibertron wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:

Seibertron wrote:The head sculpt is what bothers me most. I'm not splitting hairs, it just doesn't look good. I could probably deal with the rest of his flaws if his head was spot on to the Ironhide head, which is really simple to draw, not sure what this was such a challenge for them to get right.

Can I ask what's not right about the head sculpt to you? It looks fine to me, and I think some of the promotional photography gives it a bit of a "stretched look," but "in hand" pics show it to be a little more proportional. The head and face look like Ironhide to me, and not like anyone else, so I'm not sure that's "wrong" with it to some.

ironhide-face-differences.jpg

It's Ironhide's face ... it's just not right! The jawline needs to be more squared off, his face is too thin, it slopes down toward his chin, instead of being a more rectangular face. This is another example of where they take the source material too seriously ... I don't think anyone would have complained about him having a silver face, but instead they gave him this oddly painted face similar to what they did with Bumblebee which dulls the details such as the facial lines. The eyes aren't big enough. The nose isn't wide enough. The bottom of the nose is too close to the upper lip. The nose is also too long. The lines along the side of his face should be very defined yet they can hardly be seen, same problem on Bumblebee's face.

If you guys can't see the many things wrong with Ironhide's face, not sure what to tell you guys. The smallest details can make the biggest differences. Masterpiece Prowl and Wheeljack set the bar ... Ironhide is a disappointment after them. It especially sucks with Ironhide because we keep hoping we'll get a great Ironhide/Ratchet toy at some point but continue to be disappointed with release after release.

And my opinion still stands about his face. Nose is too small or too long or something. Jaw line/sides of face should be more rectangular. All you have to do is look at his character model! Ironhide has one of the easiest Transformers faces to draw. I'm bummed they got this wrong!

ScottyP wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:To be fair, they kinda messed up cw ironhide too, I don't mind it, but it feels like they squished his face into and over-sized helmet...

I think that's a pretty long stretch to defend it with that example. I get playing devil's advocate, and it's cool if that's not even the case and you're ok with the MP's head, such is your right to that opinion. However, in the context of the bigger picture I'm way more ok with compromises on inexpensive mass retail figures as opposed to bad design on a line that's intended to give definitive versions of G1 characters.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:To be fair, they kinda messed up cw ironhide too, I don't mind it, but it feels like they squished his face into and over-sized helmet...

I think that's a pretty long stretch to defend it with that example. I get playing devil's advocate, and it's cool if that's not even the case and you're ok with the MP's head, such is your right to that opinion. However, in the context of the bigger picture I'm way more ok with compromises on inexpensive mass retail figures as opposed to bad design on a line that's intended to give definitive versions of G1 characters.

I was defending Seibs; if they can't replicate his head, or figure out how to update as generic a face as ironhide in the cw line, what hope have they in the masterpiece line, I dunno; It just feels like his design was so generic they really didn't know how to translate it into a toy, or update/modernize it.

I don't collect masterpieces, and even if I did, I don't think I would get this one, everything just feels wrong when looking at it, I think a simpler/cleverer design probably would've yielded a better result

Cobotron wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

Still not sure what that is. Underground cavern with energon deposits?
I love that this picture is proof that no one can get poor Ironhide right. His head is painted wrong in that cell.
I still think this toy is gonna be fun and I'm excited to get him.

Cyberpath wrote: