MR vader helmet owners: thoughts?

The Darth Vader ROTS helmet Master was taken driectly from the actual molds supplied by Lucasfilm to MR. I know cause I was there. The ONLY changes made to it involved the attachment system for the dome because the original version the prop makers devised caused the paint to get seriously damaged under the helmet when it was latched on or off.

The OTHER change made to the Vader lid was that Lucasfilm asked us to remove the names of the prop guys who had signed the inside face of the dome. How do I know? Because I was there when it happened.

The interior of the mask apes the original in that ALL of the pads were measured and their correct size and placement were copied. The ONLY change made here was to the standard of the finishing. The original's interior was more slapdash and put together in a hurry.

The original ROTS Vader dome and face plate are not entirely symetrical. ONLY the eyes, nose, cheeks and mouth areas were milled by computer. This piece was then stuck in a clay buck and the rest of the helmet was sculpted by hand, around this detail. The top of the head, the sides, the neck piece and the dome itself exhibit signs of hand sculpting, just like the original trilogy lids.

I handled the original lid, examined it, photographed it, measured it. I believe the MR Helm I have is a great reproduction of the original.

Barry
 
Thanks for the info Barry

No one doubts how good the MR Vader helmet is. The only reason I didnt get one was my preference for the OT design, not what MR has produced.

Maybe you could see if there's any interest at MR in you guys doing an ANH Vader?

Cheers

Jez
 
I'd like to also mention that the neckpiece........though mine appears different from the film version.......could have resulted from the trimming. It's still very attractive and looks splendid in my collection. :)
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BingoBongo275 @ Dec 4 2006, 02:45 AM) [snapback]1371033[/snapback]</div>
Thanks for the info Barry

No one doubts how good the MR Vader helmet is. The only reason I didnt get one was my preference for the OT design, not what MR has produced.

Maybe you could see if there's any interest at MR in you guys doing an ANH Vader?

Cheers

Jez [/b]







But only if its cast from a film used helmet. I don't really care for resculpts or computer scanned replicas.
 
My previous post disappeared with the server changeover, and my opinion has not changed. I am getting one. It will be awesome setting on the shelf with my other Vaders. Hook it up Barry.
 
I personally think the ROTS Vader helmet is the best looking. It's very tight and dark. Like a new helmet... which it is for Vader.
 
I know several people have commented how they thought the helmet look de-evolved rather than evolved but that is kind of the point to me.I think the ROTS looks just right because it IS so new and,after 19 years of kicking-ass for the Empire and leading battles from the frontline,it became the slightly battered,wonderfully charismatic piece in ANH.I very much like the ROTS as it is a stand-out.I would love one of the MR's you lucky buggers that already have one. :)
 
The issue I have with the ROTS lid from a continuity standpoint is that it looks nothing like the ANH lid. They could have pointed the dome peak or made the bottom vent smaller, anything at all to link it to the ANH lid but they missed the boat.
 
I received my MR Vader helmet last week. I was fully expecting to have glaring problems with this helmet, and thus, I had already began to dread its arrival.

Much to my delight, upon first inspection, I could see no glaring faults. Granted, I have not been able to study it thoroughly yet, but my first impression was very positive.

It is definitely not my favorite Vader style, but it is important to the Star Wars story, so I am happy to have it. It will now probably be the only piece I collect from the PT.

E. Vader
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eddie vader @ Dec 5 2006, 11:04 AM) [snapback]1371771[/snapback]</div>
It is definitely not my favorite Vader style, but it is important to the Star Wars story, so I am happy to have it. It will now probably be the only piece I collect from the PT.
[/b]

I agree, it is a very important piece no matter what we think of the looks. That's a very good point.
 
Absolutely.We may all have differing views on the aesthetics of the helmet but that's one thing i am sure we could all agree on.well said.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darth Kahnt @ Dec 5 2006, 12:41 AM) [snapback]1371639[/snapback]</div>
The issue I have with the ROTS lid from a continuity standpoint is that it looks nothing like the ANH lid. They could have pointed the dome peak or made the bottom vent smaller, anything at all to link it to the ANH lid but they missed the boat.
[/b]

Did it ever occure that it was never ment to link to the ANH lid? There are already three differnt lids in three different movies, continuity has already been blown if viewed from that standpoint, what the difference is a fourth helmet?
It may have just been hope and wishfull thinking that led to your disappointment.

Lynn
 
The Darth Vader ROTS helmet Master was taken driectly from the actual molds supplied by Lucasfilm to MR. I know cause I was there. The ONLY changes made to it involved the attachment system for the dome because the original version the prop makers devised caused the paint to get seriously damaged under the helmet when it was latched on or off.

The OTHER change made to the Vader lid was that Lucasfilm asked us to remove the names of the prop guys who had signed the inside face of the dome. How do I know? Because I was there when it happened.

The interior of the mask apes the original in that ALL of the pads were measured and their correct size and placement were copied. The ONLY change made here was to the standard of the finishing. The original's interior was more slapdash and put together in a hurry.

The original ROTS Vader dome and face plate are not entirely symetrical. ONLY the eyes, nose, cheeks and mouth areas were milled by computer. This piece was then stuck in a clay buck and the rest of the helmet was sculpted by hand, around this detail. The top of the head, the sides, the neck piece and the dome itself exhibit signs of hand sculpting, just like the original trilogy lids.

I handled the original lid, examined it, photographed it, measured it. I believe the MR Helm I have is a great reproduction of the original.

Barry




Hi, Barry.

Don't get around here too often anymore and I have not been keeping up on recent MR offerings from the StarWars line - although I love that Falcon. - I am a bit ignorant about your involvement with this prop. Are you an MR employee and were you involved with this project in a major way? How long did this whole thing take to put together and who else was involved? Is MR planning any other helmets from the SW line like perhaps a Jango?

Best Regards,

JAS
 
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lynn TXP 0369 @ Dec 5 2006, 02:54 PM) [snapback]1371952[/snapback]</div>
Did it ever occure that it was never ment to link to the ANH lid? There are already three differnt lids in three different movies, continuity has already been blown if viewed from that standpoint, what the difference is a fourth helmet?
It may have just been hope and wishfull thinking that led to your disappointment.

Lynn
[/b]

I guess I meant from an evolution standpoint. ESB and ROTJ looked very similar, they really aren't all that different to the casual fan (not people like us who scrutinize every detail) whereas ANH really stood out. I personally believe, as do many others here, that the ROTS look should have been closer to the ANH look. But that's my opinion.
 
Not to get too crazy about this.. but the time difference between the ROTS and ANH helmet is what? 18 - 20 years ? In the story of Vader it may not even be the exact same helmet.. and could certainly have been modified or repaired over that long a time frame.

again I think it looks best as the first because its more pristine and tight etc. the other helmets get a little wider or looser since his head would probably grow some as he aged.
 
If Vader's helmet can change 3 times in 4 year period, it can certainly change once in 18 years. It's the same with people arguing about the sabers not looking exactly like they did in ANH, yet they don't complain that the sabers changed from ANH to ESB.
 
If you want to go into the Star Wars EU, Vader's ROTS helmet was totally smashed after going after a group of Jedi meeting to take him out. I'm sure he gets tired of having the same helmet and wants to change things up a bit every once in a while. I know I can't have enough Vader helmets. :lol
 
And how many years between ROTS and ANH? How long would you wear the EXACT same thing? There would be changes in the helmet,armor and clothing. Hes not Pee Wee Herman or Sponge Bob square pants.
 
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