JediDefender.com Forums

Community => Other Toy Lines => Topic started by: efranks on September 28, 2009, 05:46 PM

Title: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on September 28, 2009, 05:46 PM
I thought I'd start up a topic on these as they were just mentioned in the Star Trek thread and should be released pretty soon.  

I guess I missed the debut at Comic-Con this year, I hadn't paid any attention to anything but Star Wars and GI Joe, really.  

Anyway, it was mentioned in the ST thread that these were not compatible with GI Joe figures?  I asked about the scale over there but then found an article on Figures.com (http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=80&show_article=336) that said the basic figures and toys are 3.75."  So, any word on these, are they really not compatible with other 3.75" figures for some reason?

I guess I could see them not working with some of the newer Joe figures as they've crept up to 4", but what about O-ring Joes, Star Wars and other lines of that nature?  The Scorpion Gunship looks excellent and the ATV isn't bad.

Edit -> I found a post over on HissTank.com where some guys have these in hand.  They're saying the figures are more in scale with the DC Infinite Heroes figures which are smaller than the SW and Joe stuff (even O-ring).  Apparently the Scorpion Gunship cockpit doesn't fit any of the 3.75" figures we have.  That pretty much sucks.  The Scorpion Gunship is almost a no-brainer, but not if none of my other toys will work with it.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2009, 01:13 PM
I could definitely be wrong, but I just have a feeling that this movie isn't going to be nearly as huge as all the hype is saying it could be.  I mean, it looks kind of cool, and the movie itself has quite a backstory behind it with being worked on for such a long time - but I just don't know if it will be as revolutionary and "huge" as they think.  We'll see.  As far as the toy line, I just don't see it.  We've been discussing it elsewhere in this forum, but the movie lines just don't seem to work these days.  We've seen Joe, Star Trek, and Indy pretty much fail (although we may like the figures), and even TF struggled more this year.  The superhero/comic movie lines are really hit and miss, and aside from some good years of LOTR, Star Wars seems to be the only one that has the fanbase and staying power as far as movie-based lines go.  I don't see Avatar as any different.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on September 29, 2009, 01:37 PM
I don't buy all the hype behind Avatar either.  Just from the few articles I've read about it, the plot seems well-worn and may not really cover any new ground.  The wow factor on this film is going to be the technolgy that Cameron helped design. 

The technology only gets you so far.

I'm interested in seeing the toys in person.  The aliens look fine.  The Marines wouldn't be bad if they were in scale with Joe figures but if they're smaller, that's kind of a waste. Plus the rumored price on these is even worse than the Joe and SW figures, and they apparently have little to no accessories.  The articulation looks good, though.  Mattel looks to have scaled down their 6" articulation to the 3.75" line.

I'm still sitting on a Sigma 6 Dragonhawk that I bought on deep discount.  I've always intended to follow some of the online posts to hack it into a 3.75" compatible ship but haven't yet.  So there's a good chance I'll end up buying this new Scorpion Gunship as well, especially if it's close to Joe size and only needs a few mods to make it work.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on October 13, 2009, 07:58 PM
The Avatar toys are out.  I've seen them at two TRU stores and one other store but I forget now if it was Target or WM (it was out of town).  The blue aliens look kind of cool, they're big enough you could probably make some SW aliens out of them if you wanted.

I did see some of the human characters but just glanced at them and forgot to go back and compare the size to SW or GI Joe, but they did seem smaller.

I've also seen several of the vehicles and creatures between two or three stores.  I'm not sure how well this line will do but they look well made.  The vehicles must all require assembly because the boxes are relatively large and oddly shaped, but thin.  Definitely not deep enough to have an assembled Scorpion Gunship in it, for example.  I'll have to go looking again for some in-hand photos of these.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Darth_Anton on October 14, 2009, 10:15 AM
I've seen 'em at Target. No desire to pick them up, but someone better hope the kids will want to in a few months.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Jayson on October 14, 2009, 10:50 AM
The Avatar figures remind me of the Nelvaanians from the 2-D Clone Wars Series.

(http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/5/5a/Nelvaanians.JPG)
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Jeff on October 14, 2009, 11:24 AM
someone better hope the kids will want to in a few months.

Pfft.  If they are $9/$10 at TRU like I've heard, then they'll be rotting on the shelves until next April/May at least.

The Avatar figures remind me of the Nelvaanians from the 2-D Clone Wars Series.

Good call.  I wonder if the LFL legal crew have noticed that...  :D
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: CHEWIE on October 14, 2009, 11:40 AM
These have been at the TRU stores around here for about a week... well, the 6-7" scale has, along with vehicles.  They haven't put the 4" ones out yet.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: JediJman on October 14, 2009, 01:07 PM
I saw these out on a store run last night.  Pretty lame looking figures.   :P  They might work okay for custom mixing with Star Wars, but not much value outside of that.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Darth_Anton on October 15, 2009, 10:37 AM
They might work okay for custom mixing with Star Wars,

Good call. I'll have to look to see about head compatibility, then wait for clearance.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: CHEWIE on October 15, 2009, 04:05 PM
After seeing these at Target, I think they look pretty good actually, seems like Mattel put more effort into these than Playmates did with the Trek and Terminator line.  Most of them look better than Joe figures too in fact, at least in my opinion.  The price tag is insane though.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: JediJman on October 16, 2009, 01:01 PM
I saw the beasts, vehicles, and 6-inch line today and was more impreseed with all of those.  The Beasts would be an okay fit with SW if you wanted animal background fodder.  I am really digging the exo-suit as well - it's not that bad of a vehicle for $20.  The 6-inch line just had 4 of the blue guy and 2 of one soldier, so not much variety there.  They look like great matches for the Marvel Legends scale though.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: JohnH on October 17, 2009, 12:36 AM
These look really nice, but I just can't see a lot of people paying $9 a head for them.  Depending on how good the movie is I might pick some up if they get put on clearance or if there are some *really* good sales.  Otherwise I'll probably pass.

John
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: CHEWIE on October 17, 2009, 01:04 AM
That's pretty much how I feel - great looking figures at a really high price.  But the vehicles and beasts seem to be at a great price... go figure. 
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Jesse James on October 17, 2009, 02:25 AM
I'd kind of like the mech suit to do some kind of industrial suit/walker for Star Wars, via the Aliens movie mech suit thingie.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on October 17, 2009, 09:55 PM
I could definitely be wrong, but I just have a feeling that this movie isn't going to be nearly as huge as all the hype is saying it could be.  I mean, it looks kind of cool, and the movie itself has quite a backstory behind it with being worked on for such a long time - but I just don't know if it will be as revolutionary and "huge" as they think.  We'll see.  As far as the toy line, I just don't see it.  We've been discussing it elsewhere in this forum, but the movie lines just don't seem to work these days.  We've seen Joe, Star Trek, and Indy pretty much fail (although we may like the figures), and even TF struggled more this year.  The superhero/comic movie lines are really hit and miss, and aside from some good years of LOTR, Star Wars seems to be the only one that has the fanbase and staying power as far as movie-based lines go.  I don't see Avatar as any different.

Dude, I am so on the same page. I do not "see it" or "feel it". I think this has dud written all over it with desperate hype because there is so much money invested it could kill a studio. The basic plot of having the Humans be the bad guys is recipe for failure with general audiences. I do not see people rooting for lanky tall tiger people unless the movie is called Thundercats.

In regards to the toys when I was a designer at Mattel and my even current company I have seen time and again the "big idea" of Toys interacting with a computer be presented. Every single line that actually made it into production failed and the investment to put the tech in was a utter waste (and it always raised the price). The simple fact is that a kid will either play with a toy or play on a computer/video game separately, never together. He is not going to bring his toy and plug it into the computer just to play with it, it's too complicated of a set up. After the initial try the appeal is never there, they will always opt to play a video game on it's on or they will play around with the toy on his own as it was meant to be - pretend role play. All the tech put into Avatar screams the same BS. When you look at the packaging the marketing messaging does not explain the tech very well, you average Mom is not going to get it nor will a kid. ****, I am an experienced Toy designer and I had a hard time seeing what it did.
In my 10 years experience in the Toy Industry the simple rule of "keep it simple" always works best. And if keep your marketing messaging to three words that explain what the toy features your success rate is much better. I think this line will be Mattel's Terminator with less space devoted to it.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: CHEWIE on October 18, 2009, 04:35 AM
No argument here.  I think if the figures were $6.00 range they'd have a chance - not at this $9.00 crap.  If they were cheaper I would have bought a few for the custom fodder at least.  Bah, what a shame.  They actually don't look too bad, and probably better than the Terminator and Trek figures which both tanked. 

Maybe I'll buy a vehicle or beast soon and see if I can get interested a bit.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: DoctorPadawan on October 18, 2009, 10:42 AM
One of my friends picked up a Mech Suit (I guess that's what they're called), and said that they work pretty well with vintage RAH Joes.  He sent a picture to me (which I don't have at the moment) of a 1980's Cobra Viper in the cockpit, and it did look pretty interesting.  I don't know if it would work for current SW or Joes, given that each is slightly larger than the vintage RAH line and the Avatar figures, but at least there is some chance for compatibility.

I have to agree that the basic action figures are hideously overpriced by about 3-4 dollars.  Even the 6" scale human figure I saw seemed rather cheap, with the body texture of a Ken doll; the 3.75" scale figures are sorely lacking in accessories.  At the price they're charging, they should at least be coming with a vast array of weaponry.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on October 19, 2009, 11:42 AM
At the price they're charging, they should at least be coming with a vast array of weaponry.

You are paying for useless tech to view 3D model images of the figure online. If you really stop and think about it why the hell would any kid want to view a 3D model of the action figure he has on a computer screen when he is holding the damn thing in his hand? It's so stupid it deserves to fail.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Dressel Rebel on October 19, 2009, 02:07 PM
I noticed that the human males have incredibly anorexic looking forearms!!

That pretty much encompasses the totality of my thoughts on this line.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: CHEWIE on October 19, 2009, 02:30 PM
At the price they're charging, they should at least be coming with a vast array of weaponry.

You are paying for useless tech to view 3D model images of the figure online. If you really stop and think about it why the hell would any kid want to view a 3D model of the action figure he has on a computer screen when he is holding the damn thing in his hand? It's so stupid it deserves to fail.

It is ridiculous, whoever thought that was a good idea needs their head examined... and if they do want to show 3D models of the figures, just have a website link on the back of the box and drop the price down a few dollars.

Wow, how dumb!  Seems to me that it's going to be the death of this line before it even had a chance.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Jesse James on October 19, 2009, 06:10 PM
I wonder if the movie will bomb?

I really do want to use that mech suit thing for something...  Something industrial in Star Wars.  Grimey and used.

A coulpe military guys were thinking the alien in shorts may make a decent Brit or German in shorts in North Africa, which really kind of got me thinking how cool an idea that is.  Shorts are non-existant in this scale, so that may be something on clearance I think about.  Otherwise I'm just "meh" on this stuff.  And if the movie tanks...  Hey, deeper discounts faster I suppose. 

Or like Goldent Compass, maybe it'll be unloaded at Big Lots for uber cheap.  Got a ton of their stuff there, and it's actually nice fodder.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: evenflow on October 23, 2009, 10:47 PM
I know nothing about this movie and when i saw the figure, my first thought was; this doesnt look like the cartoon Avatar. Safe to assume they are 2 different things?
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on October 24, 2009, 04:11 AM
Yeah, there's a difference between James Cameron's "Avatar" and the cartoon "Avatar: The Last Airbender."  "Avatar:TLA" is getting a live action film next year, though, and it looks like it might be pretty good.  It's directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on December 28, 2009, 02:41 PM
Has anyone picked up any of the Avatar toys now that the film is out?  While I was watching the movie I definitely thought that some of the designs for the creatures were cool and it made me want to pick up some of the toys.

So far I've only grabbed the Scorpion Gunship and two figures, Neytiri and Jake in his Avatar body.  I picked up the ship and Jake at TRU on Thursday while they had their 20% off sale.  The prices on the ships and creatures isn't bad but the $9 price tag on the action figures is way too much to get me to buy the entire line.  IMO they should drop the figure prices by about $2 and use them as selling points for the more expensive vehicles/creatures.

It's a bad value when you see a small figure like Trudy (the pilot) for $9 and the Banshee for $14.99. 

Haven't opened the figs or the ship yet but basically know what I'm getting from having looked at online photos.  I definitely want to get the AMP Suit, Banshee and Leonopteryx.   The rest, I don't know about.  I think I'd pick up the full line if the figures were cheaper.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Ben on December 28, 2009, 03:15 PM
I've only picked up Jake in his Avatar body, and I think that might be it, even though the vehicles and beasts are pretty tempting. As great as the movie is, I think the toys are too expensive, and that's going to cost Mattel dearly, I'm afraid. But looking at what they have available already, Mattel pretty much covered everything that's toy-worthy already.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Jesse James on December 29, 2009, 05:21 AM
I wonder if the movie will bomb?

I really do want to use that mech suit thing for something...  Something industrial in Star Wars.  Grimey and used.

A coulpe military guys were thinking the alien in shorts may make a decent Brit or German in shorts in North Africa, which really kind of got me thinking how cool an idea that is.  Shorts are non-existant in this scale, so that may be something on clearance I think about.  Otherwise I'm just "meh" on this stuff.  And if the movie tanks...  Hey, deeper discounts faster I suppose. 

Or like Goldent Compass, maybe it'll be unloaded at Big Lots for uber cheap.  Got a ton of their stuff there, and it's actually nice fodder.

Well, I was way off on the first part. :)  The toys arne't selling particularly well that I see, but so far I haven't seen many of them at WM or Target.  Some, but not a TON like you'd expect.  TRU seems to be the only one heavily stocked with them for a movie premier which I find odd.

I'd still like the mechie suit and some of the aliens in shorts for customs, but that's it.  I still want to see the movie though since it's getting such glowing reviews.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on December 29, 2009, 11:31 AM
Right about the time the film was opening the 8" figures at my local Target sold out and then got restocked.  Those were the only Avatar toys that store had until the weekend of the film opening.  Then they stocked the mech suit and Grinder and the Banshee/Direhorse/Thanator wave of mid-sized beasts.  We don't have any of the 4" figures.

The local Walmart hadn't had any Avatar toys till I stopped in their Sunday night, I found 2 Scorpion Gunships in an aisle which had been Lego (but was sold out for Christmas).  No figs or anything.

The TRU store I was in had the Gunship and a Direhorse but had both scales of figures.  The 4" figures were nearly all Na'vi with the pilot, Trudy, and one Marine being the exception. 

Target in Vestal, NY had the same vehicles/beasts as my store but they also had the 4" figures including both humans and Na'vi, but not a large selection.  That's where I bought Neytiri. 

Walmart in Vestal was where I saw the most figures.  They had all the humans and the Avatar/Na'vi figures.  They also had the mid-sized beasts, grinder/mech suit and both the Gunship and the Leonopteryx.  Basically the whole line.  That's the only store so far that I've seen carry everything.

As I said, I'd probably buy the whole line if the figs weren't so expensive.  I have to get that Gunship open and see what the quality is on it. 

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: JediJman on December 29, 2009, 11:31 AM
I have yet to see it, but everyone I talk to that has says it's simply amazing, both special effects and the story.  Even my wife's friends (definitely not into Sci-Fi) have given it great reviews.

The thing is, I only know of adults that have seen it and liked it, so not sure what kind of splash it's making with the kiddies.  A lot of people liked Titanic, but I don't think there was much adult demand for Titanic toys.   ;)
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Brian on December 29, 2009, 01:02 PM
Yeah, everyone that I've talked to that has seen the movie has thought it was pretty cool (although some said it was a bit long - but it seems like you hear that a lot from the "general audience").  The media is definitely hyping it as a success, and it seems to be doing great business, but I don't know how to measure a movie like this where it was rumored to cost anywhere from $250-$500 (from what I've read) to make.  Anyways, like others have said, I don't see the toys flying off shelves though - and I don't see it being the "next Star Wars" in either the toy or movie arena.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on January 1, 2010, 02:04 PM
I opened the Scorpion Gunship last ight and put it together.  It's really an excellent design but the cockpit is tiny.  I was able to get an ARF Trooper in there due to his leg articulation and slim stature, but that was about it as far as figures I had handy goes.

I think some vintage o-ring Joe figs would work but most of the modern stuff in the 3-4" scale will be too big.  Still, it's a nice toy and I'm happy to have picked it up.  I still think I'll probably buy a few more items from this line, including the mech suit and the two flying beasts for my Na'vi figures.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Jediknight760071 on January 8, 2010, 10:22 AM
Borders has all the avatar stuff on clearance for 50% off.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on January 8, 2010, 04:25 PM
They weren't on clearance here as of last night because I checked.  I actually bought a Banshee with one of the 33% off coupons so I paid about $12 for it. 

I'll stop in again tonight and if they do have them 50% off maybe I'll get the AMP Suit or a Direhorse.

I see there are reports of the second wave of characters and beasts with the Bio-Lume feature hitting stores as well as the new Banshee and the battle pack (for lack of a better term) with Sully and the wolves.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: efranks on January 8, 2010, 07:36 PM
I guess I should have waited a day or so on the Banshee, Borders had their Avatar stuff 50% off today.  I picked up an AMP Suit for $10.99 plus tax.  If they still have anything left next week, or the prices drop again, I may grab a figure or two.

   E...
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Greg on January 9, 2010, 06:22 PM
Borders has all the avatar stuff on clearance for 50% off.

Thanks for that heads up. I picked up two of the AMP suits this afternoon. The AMPs are too cool at $10 each. Currently I'm using them with some Storm Troopers, but I might pick up a few of the military guys (the colonel, soldiers) when the inevitable clearances hit.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Pete_Fett on February 14, 2010, 01:08 PM
I picked up a $10 AMP Suit at my local Target this morning. I put an Animated Clonetrooper in it and it looks great.

I'm sure stormtropers and clones would also work well.

Gonna have to see if I can get some imperial or republic insignia stickers to put it.
Title: Re: Avatar toys by Mattel
Post by: Greedo The Green Menace on April 21, 2010, 12:58 AM
I picked up a Thanator beast today on sale just to check it out, gotta say I really like it. It's got a nice solid sculpt and good paint apps to bring out the detail, which surprised me, since I was just expecting a big lump of unpainted black plastic. The articulation could benefit from some ball joints at the shoulders but I can live without. Overall a really cool beastie, would fit in well in any Star Wars environment I would think.