karamazov80 Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I just read this, and thought it was so true : "Minimates, huh? I never really got the craze for them - sure, they're cute, but isn't a real action figure better?" http://www.oafe.net/artemis/bsgmmvpbg.php D'oh! He does then suggest that "their cuteness is kind of winning me over," but nonetheless, I thought this might be discussion-worthy. Are minimates somehow not "real" action figures? What defines a "real" action figure? Action poses, action like the Super Powers toys punching when you push their legs together, kids being able to play with them without their falling apart? Something else? And ultimately, is a "real" action figure better than an imposter? These are deep, philosophical questions, but questions that we, as Minimate fans, should not be afraid to ask if we are to reach the Minimate Nirvana state. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I think Artemis is a convert by the end of the review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I think C3 actually hurt Minimates because that made them "just big Legos" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBT! Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I think people have to remember these are block figures not action figures, when was the last time you bought newly released action figures for $7 for a pack of two? Also as far as I know DST has to walk a fine line as I don't think the marvel license allows them to be called action figures anywhere... As for the 'just bigger lego' comment, that's a little simplistic but it's not that far from the truth, I always say that actually they are like better articulated Kubricks. I guess the main point I tell people is that they don't have to be action figures to still be cool! - in fact that simplicity is most of their charm and why I worry for the trend of giving almost everyone bigger chest pieces etc. T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Folks at work know I run a website dedicated to "those funny Lego men" If it gives people a point of reference it's not a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karamazov80 Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 I think people have to remember these are block figures not action figures, when was the last time you bought newly released action figures for $7 for a pack of two? So, then there is a distinction to be made: "block figures" are different than "action figures." Can anyone tell me precisely what distinguishes them in the informed collector's lexicon (such as Artemis and TBT, who simply do not view them as 'action figures')? Is it the cube for a torso? If so, then are the Pocket Super Heroes action figures? Is it size? Is it durability (it seems like would be hard to "play" with Minimates without them constantly falling apart)? It can't be articulation, because Minimates have better articulation than lots of other "action figures." Is it all based on the licensing restrictions from DST? Or is it just one of those things like pornography where: "you know it when you see it"? This may be an "academic" issue, but I didn't initially know why "Artemis" didn't consider them action figures, as I consider them as much action figures as my GI Joes. But I guess I just don't know, and lord knows I don't want to embarrass myself any further by remaining ignorant on such an important matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBT! Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Or is it just one of those things like pornography where: "you know it when you see it"? This pretty much sums it up I'd say block figures are probably best looked on as small, stylized interpretations of people. Rather than Action figures being much closer to a fully sculpted human figure. It's simply like difference between someone taking a photo of something and someone painting a picture, both are valid forms of art... both are the same subject they are just different mediums. T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karamazov80 Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 Or is it just one of those things like pornography where: "you know it when you see it"? This pretty much sums it up I'd say block figures are probably best looked on as small, stylized interpretations of people. Rather than Action figures being much closer to a fully sculpted human figure. It's simply like difference between someone taking a photo of something and someone painting a picture, both are valid forms of art... both are the same subject they are just different mediums. T. Thanks for helping me out there TBT A very lucid explanation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain_cbecker Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Do they have to be mutually exclusive? Can a block figure be a category of action figure? Wikipedia uses this definition: "Minimates are a block-styled miniature action figure created by Art Asylum." I would say that minimates are action figures that use a more geometric, block-type body design that favors a stylized representation of persons or characters, as compared to more traditional action figures that try to closely approximate the true look of the person/character. Maybe we're overthinking this thing. Afterall, are they any less appealing because the article's author thinks they're not action figures, but "big legos" instead? I doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanester Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 They're not action figures! They are small, highly addictive, plastic crack rocks, ingeniously made to look like block figures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 They're not action figures! They are small, highly addictive, plastic crack rocks, ingeniously made to look like block figures! (@)_(@) WHAT?! NO THEY'RE NOT!!! (@)_(@) *returns to sniffing Minimates* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 "Action figures aren't dolls" "Minimates aren't action figures" Same song, different name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murderofcrows Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 If anyone wants to argue that minimates are not action figures...I would highly suggest you send them to winkerbean's website, the comics he made are some of the coolest things I have ever seen. They show that minimates are without a doubt honest to goodness action figures!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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