Master Replica Costumes?

[Jan-Qui Coran]

Does anybody have any news about when Master Replicas is going to bring out the Obi-Wan & Anakin Costumes that they were showing at C3 on the big posters? Just wondering what they included & what they were going to charge for them. I hope those are the 2 that I saw shown. Thanks

[Mon-Jas Charan]

I have not heard anything offically, but the roomer I heard was they would be in the $750 to $1000 range. no boots, or lightsabres.

[kivaanzion]

The word through the grapevine is that they will be released in the fall.

However as with all projects there can be delays.

[Primrodo]

They plan for Oct 2005, I heard $600 head to toe (minus lightsabers of course) with arcival materials.

But its Master Replicas...

[BakaNeko]

Also, how about quality too?

Do you know if theres any info about it on the net?

[Primrodo]

All I will say is that its Master Replicas... Accuracy takes a backseat to mass production.

They SHOULD be released for Halloween, so keep an eye out.

I DO want to see this I admit...buy one? maybe, maybe not. We shall see.

[kivaanzion]

Master Replicas... Accuracy takes a backseat to mass production

Ummm... I would respectfully disagree with that.

I own four MR reproductions and in some cases they are more accurate than the film props themselves.

I think one thing that can be said for MR, is that they produce some of the most accurate affordable reproductions. Now affordability can be relative. Some people may not be able to afford say, a $400 dollar item, whereas some collectors would find the same price to be "cheap" as far as reproductions go.

I have had nothing but good experiences with MR. I look forward to their costume reproductions with great enthusiasm. ;D

[Primrodo]

Don;t make me pull out the evidence

MR idealizes every prop they make, they change details for baseless reasosn and only answering with "we saw it and touched it you didn't" aside from photographic proof.

You can say they are more accurate than a film prop, but I will call you out on that...can you please explain how that is possible?

I have been within the prop community for awhile now and know whats right and whats wrong. The Dooku stands high above in how they idealized it.

You can disagree, but facts are facts. Especially when Steve openly admitted that they idelize their props.

Now are they good quality? Hell yes. 100% accurate? nope.

[kivaanzion]

You can say they are more accurate than a film prop, but I will call you out on that...can you please explain how that is possible?

No problem. Have you ever seen a screen used prop close up? The tend to be rather shoddy in appearance (unless they are used in an extreme close up). This is due to most (if not all) of the imperfections being hidden by the camera angle, width of the shot, or action in the actor's hands. This is especially in the case of stunt props which tend to be made of hard rubber (having very little detail) as they are likely to be dropped or take a great deal of punishment.

Rarely do any screen used props have complex electronics installed; most effects the props have are added in during post-production, but I'm sure you are aware of this.

In the case of MR- some of their items reproduce not only the look of the prop, but actually reproduce (as best as possible without the price sky-rocketing) all the special effects the prop has in its respective movie or show. Not too many screen used props (if any), do that. I like my props to "do" something and not be totally static, and I would call that "more accurate".

I agree (to some degree) that some of MR's products are not absolutely 100% accurate, but I was responding to your backseat comment- it made MR sound like they make inferior products.

You use the Dooku saber as an example- I'm genuinely curious, what other items did not live up to your expectations? (Please don't take this as "show me the evidence!"- like I said, I'm genuinely interested in your opinion).

[Primrodo]

Well...The Dooku stands up higest in teh inaccuracies and Idealizations. I have a picture of an unused, unpainted Dooku stunt from AOTC beside the Dooku from MR.

Anakin's AOTC the changed the length and idealized the silver band on the control box..the movies was tape, teh shape of teh control box is alos a little off.

Lukes ROTJ Saber had numerous details changed, and I know this from a guy who used to work with MR on this particular saber. They changed screws and a few other details.

Now in all fairness I only really know sabers and Jedi related stuff the most, and I have not compared blasters. I have a buddy with a screen used Jango that I want to compare though.

My only beef with MR has never been quality, its how they idealize a prop and say its accurate. I love the ROTS FX I own, beautiful toy and I play with it alot. I might buy this Anakin costume from them, but really accuracy is key and they short cut.

But that doesn't mean it will look bad or be shoddy quality. Heck Rubies makes quality stuff...just not accurate

[BakaNeko]

The only thing I got from MR is the Thermal Detonator, when it came in the mail, I loved it. It wasnt even accurate because I bought the " As First Built " and not the one from ROTJ. But still, I say it was worth the money, the only thing I see that they paly with and change is the sabers, but it doesnt bother me cause I dont buy their sabers.

[kivaanzion]

I own two FX sabers- and yes the Luke ROTJ saber is way off in some spots (the brass neck in particular), but of course this was to accommodate the internal electronics.

However my Aliens motion tracker is as spot on as $400 could buy. Topped off with a working tracking screen and faithfully reproduced sound blips and pings.

Is it 100% accurate. No- the sling and sling clips are slightly off. Never the less I am very pleased with it. Furthermore it would cost a third of the price more for me to obtain all the individual items that go into a screen accurate motion tracker (not including the electronics package), to say nothing of the time and effort putting it together myself.

I do see what you are saying about mass-production versus accuracy. I would love to own a 100%, bang-on, screen accurate Obi-Wan costume, but it would mean using the highest quality materials, and that it would have to be tailor made to fit like a glove. A high quality tailor made suit can easily be well over the thousand dollar range.

I would be willing to have MR cut a few corners in order to keep the price low enough to appeal to the mainstream public.

[Primrodo]

And if you think the MR version will be less than a thousand... I cannot see them being 100, 600, or even 700. COnsidering boots, belts etc.

I wouldn't be willing to accept a cut corner costume where accuracy is concerned.

You would be surprised how easy it is to make accurate stuff, that doesn't cost a bundle.

And about the FX sabers, all of them are off size wise to accomdate the elctronics.

[Seda Navilli]

I get a bad impression by pretty much every product I see from MR. Their lack of good photos, mass eBay auctions, expensive prices. MR is one company I plan on never buying from

[Ky-Wan Zann]

I'll buy fx sabers from them but that's it