G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

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Based from a popular action figure series G.I. Joe, here comes an live-action film G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra to be released in August this year.

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This action figure was first released 1964, a 12 inch military soldier figure then 1982 the figures were relaunched in a 3 and 3/4 scale up to now. The figure comes with different accesories like guns, grenade, vehicles and others things.

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The film focuses on how the Cobra Organization started. It also show how Duke and Ripcord enter the G.I. Joe Team. Channing Tatum (Step Up 1) played the role of Duke and Marlon Wayans as Ripcord. Directed by Stephen Sommers, the man behind The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Producer) and Van Helsing.

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I am not a G.I. Joe fans, but when I saw the trailer of this movie I think I'm gonna watch it. For me know the story and maybe it will make me a fan of this 45 year old toy and start collecting them.

PRJF - CT - Jungle Pride Megazord

Power Rangers Jungle Fury is not yet aired in the Philippines so I don't know the whole story of this series yet. I only watched the first two episodes of the series on You Tube. All I know is that, there are three main characters in this series. Casey, Theo and Lily are the Red Ranger, Blue Ranger and Yellow Ranger respectively. They are fighting to save the world from the evil Dai Shi's plan. The Japanese Counterpart of this is the Juken Sentai Gekiranger.

I am reviewing the Candy Toy version of the Jungle Pride Megazord.

***Candy Toys are the smaller versions of the deluxe megazords toys and usually these are from Japan because U.S. don't release them in the market. They are half the size of the original Deluxe version and much cheaper. The parts are made of hard plastic and you need to first assemble the parts included in the box. There are stickers that you need to apply so that your zords will be more likely close to the original zords in the series. One thing I don't like about Candy Toys is that their stickers are can be easily wear off, specially for the smaller ones. Sometimes, while you are playing you might lost it without even knowing it.

There are three Candy Toys Boxes that you need to be able to form the Jungle Pride Megazord

RED TIGER: The Red Tiger zord is the first jungle spirit of Casey the Red Ranger.

I bought it at the Department Store of SM North Edsa for P250 or $5. The Red Tiger will be the upper body including the thigh of the Jungle Pride Megazord that means Head, Arms and Torso are included. The Head don't move side ways but it can move upward and downward because of the transformation process. The Arms can rotate 360 and elbows can bend forward. The hand can be rotated 360. It's Tail can be removed to form the weapon of the megazord.

BLUE JAGUAR: The Blue Jaguar is the jungle spirit of Theo the Blue Ranger.

I got this at Toy Kingdom in "The Block" for discounted price of P150 or approx. $3 because it was on sale. The Blue Jaguar will be the right leg of the Jungle Pride Megazord. The Head and Neck can move up and down, it's mouth can be opened and it has Shades/ Visor that can be moved up and down. And then it's Hind legs are fixed. The front legs can move 360. All four Knees are can bend because of the transformation process. It's Tail can be removed to form the weapon of the megazord.

YELLOW CHEETAH: The first jungle spirit of Lily, the Yellow Ranger.

I got this along with the Red Tiger, for P250 or $5. It's not that big just like the Red Tiger so I think the price is not fair. This will be the left leg of the megazord. This is my least favorite of the three because there's nothing you can do much here. Just like the articulation of the Blue Jaguar.

Jungle Pride Megazord

That's it just put them together to form the Jungle Pride Megazord, the first Megazord of the Rangers in Power Rangers Jungle Fury. They are like the tigers of Voltron but only three. The robot mode is much cooler than in animal modes. It is nice, it has lots of articulation, you can pose it in any battle position you want.

I Rate It: 4/5

Transmax VS Candy Toy

Now let us cite some differences and similarities between U.S.'s Transmax Megazord and Japan's Candy Toys. The above pics are from Power Rangers Operation Overdrive or the Super Sentai Boukenger Series.

This is the first time that Bandai America released a mini version of their Megazords. They called it Transmax Vehicles. They are transformable to vehicles and can also form Megazord. It has different sets. I only got 2 sets, Set B and Set C so I have the nos. 2,3,6,7,8,9 and 10 vehicles.

Let's start:

SIZE

As you can see in the picture the CT version is a little bigger to the Transmax version. But somehow the CT is more consistent when it comes to the size because the Transmax Vehicles have different scales sometimes it is bigger and sometimes smaller than CT. When you combine them you will see that the body of transmax is big and the legs are too short making your megazord looks awkward.

• Winner: Candy Toy Version

DETAILS

What is good with the Transmax is that they used paints and they have shiny paints if necessary. Paints can last more than the stickers of CT. BUT CT is more detailed when you apply the stickers provided. It has even the number of the zord.

• Winner: Both

PLAYABILITY

For the playability factor, Transmax is ready for playing after your purchased. But the CT version needs your patience for the assemble of each zords then after the assemble, you still need to properly and carefully apply the stickers. In Transmax you can do some Megazords that are not in the show, just mix and combine them like LEGO.

• Winner: Transmax Version

ARTICULATION

For the articulation, I am very sure that CT won this aspect because the CT version is same as the DX version and sometimes even better articulation than the original. Transmax version is like a LEGO; it has pegs, you need to detach each part and connect again to form into a Megazord or vice versa and even in posing them.

• Winner: Candy Toy Version
  
  

PRICE

The CT is a little expensive compared to the Transmax because in this set; Transmax requires only 2 sets which consist of 7 zords while in CT you need to buy 5 boxes which roughly costs $4 (P210.00) each, but you will get a nice and more accurate toys.

• Winner: Both
  

FINAL SCORE

Transmax - 1 Candy Toy - 2

Draw - 2

Final Verdict

You want a toy that has lots of ways to play BUT not detailed

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You want a toy that is exactly a mini version of the original toy BUT a litte pricey

DX VS. CANDY TOY

I will show and site some differences between a DX Mecha and its Candy Toy Version. The example pics are from Japan's Super Sentai Boukenger or the America's Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.

SIZE

Size will be the first thing that you will notice if you put them side by side. Candy Toys are just half the size of the original DX version.

• Winner: DX version

DETAILS

In Details, and the DX is more detailed. The DX version has Chrome paints to make it more realistic and close enough to the series. While in the other hand the Candy Toy will only be look like in the series if you apply the stickers or if you want, you can paint it. The Dx are made from strong plastic while the Candy Toy are made from softer plastic.

• Winner: DX version

PLAYABILITY

Well the DX version is ready to play, just open the box and you can already play with it but in the Candy Toy is the opposite of that, because you need to assemble first each mechas and apply some stickers to it before you can enjoy it. But that's the fun on it, after your hard work in making it you can see what masterpiece you have made.

• Winner: DX version

ARTICULATION

In the articulation, they are 90% the same because there are some points where you can move the Candy Toy more, like in the Boukenger toy, the elbows of the arms can be rotated 360. BUT the DX version is compact. You can pose it without tearing them apart.

• Winner: Both

PRICE

Price is the biggest factor that you need to consider in choosing what version you want to buy. The DX version cost around $70 just the 5 mechas and if you want the Ultimate Daibouken (Drivemax Ultrazord) which consists of 10 mechas you will spend approx. $300. While the Candy Toy version costs only less than $20 for the 5 mechas that's almost 70% cheaper.

• Winner: Candy Toy version. (at last)

FINAL SCORE

DX - 3 points Candy Toy - 1 point

Draw: 1 point

You want a great toy that has a nice quality and bigger but "TOO pricey"

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You want a cute toy that has less quality but also similar to the original but "TOO cheap"

Power Rangers VS. Super Sentai

For my first post, I will discuss the diferences between the Power Rangers of America and the Super Sentai of Japan.

Originally Power Rangers came from the Japanese series Super Sentai. America adapts and buys the franchise and concepts from Japan to air in U.S.. So instead of dubbing the original series to understand by other countries, they hire american actors to play in the english version of the series.

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SUPER SENTAI:

Super Sentai first aired in Japan in the year 1975. It's first series was Goranger and it was the longest running series with 84 episodes. Then after that, more super sentai series came out like Goggle Five in 1982, Bioman in 1984, Maskman in 1987 and etc. Groups of super heroes in their colorful costumes fighting to save the world along with their weapons and giant vehicles that form into a big robot called mecha.

The latest series of Super Sentai and currently airing in Japan is the "Shinkenger" which is a samurai themed. Mechas are based from the Japanese art of folding paper called "Origami".

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POWER RANGERS:

The first Power Ranger Series was aired in the year 1993. The name of the series was "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers". In was the adaptation of the Super Sentai Zyuranger which was aired in Japan in the year 1992. MMPR lasted for 3 years. I remembered this when it was aired in the Philippines, I watched all of it's episode and even owned a Megazord and action figures.

The Newest and the Last (hope its not) series of the Power Ranger is the Power Ranger RPM based from the Japanaese Super Sentai Go-Onger. There are good feedbacks on this series and hopefully it will bring back the Power Ranger Fans.

Aside from the actors who played in the series, the major difference about the two series is the main story itself and the audience. Some fans of the Super Sentai are very disappointed with the previous Power Rangers because of the lot of changes made. For example, mechas in Super Sentai Go-Onger can talk while the Zords in Power Rangers RPM do not talk (correct me if I'm wrong, I just saw the first 3 episodes of PRRPM).

They said that the Power Rangers do not meet the excitement and joy they feel when they are watching the Japanese counter-part Super Sentai. Maybe that is the reason why they will stop adapting the Super Sentai, lack of fans and support.

I more reason, Shinkenger is all about japanese culture (zords, costumes, etc.) so I don't think Power Rangers can adapt that without changing the whole concept.