Your Thoughts: Authentic Gonzo Replica

[Phillip Chapman]

We now have on-line the most in-depth review you’ll find of the Gonzo Muppet Replica. Read all the details on this highly-anticipated release in this review by Anthony McElrath.

Also, if you order your Gonzo, Animal or Kermit Replica from this link, a portion of the order will go back to Muppet Central, helping us keep the site and new projects coming in the future.

If you have questions or comments about the Gonzo Replica or have your own styling tips for Gonzo be sure to post in this discussion.

[Beauregard]

Morning all! I'm patiently awaiting the coming of the great hooked Gonzo (little HHG To The Galaxy reference there). I cannot wait to get my hands on him and start posing him with my little Kermit. He'll be the first piece of Gonzo merch that I own, actually!

I still don't have any major plans for him, but will definatly be going clothes shopping as soon as he arrives. I want to find him something from the dark universe to wear. Pity that clothes for Kermit are more hard to come by.

[Luke]

I think its innacurate in places for two reasons - firstly the reviewer more or less ignores the nose "just because" Terry's proto didn't have it and Master Replicas didn't have much choice. He should be reviewing the final product "as is" without making excuses for them or basing his review on the prototype - even if it is understandable. Secondly, he explains the nose issue by saying the poser won't degrade now - not true, other parts are made from foam. However its his own opinion i guess and its nicely written and the photos are exceptional.

[Telly]

Question...with the new factory doing the Muppets, does that mean that the boxes they come in will be changed as well?

[MuppetCaper]

Originally Posted by Telly

Question...with the new factory doing the Muppets, does that mean that the boxes they come in will be changed as well?

No one know much about anything about the new factory yet.

[Reevz1977]

Originally Posted by MuppetCaper

No one know much about anything about the new factory yet.

Maybe Master Replicas have gone with my idea and cloned Terry Angus.

[frogboy4]

Originally Posted by Telly

Question...with the new factory doing the Muppets, does that mean that the boxes they come in will be changed as well?

I would imagine that the Fozzie box would be the same general graphic design while the shape would be bigger. I don't believe the art would change. All that will likely be altered is the pesky issues with eye focus and the micro quality fans want in a replica. The change is likely a good one.

Originally Posted by Luke

I think its innacurate in places for two reasons - firstly the reviewer more or less ignores the nose "just because" Terry's proto didn't have it and Master Replicas didn't have much choice. He should be reviewing the final product "as is" without making excuses for them or basing his review on the prototype - even if it is understandable. Secondly, he explains the nose issue by saying the poser won't degrade now - not true, other parts are made from foam. However its his own opinion i guess and its nicely written and the photos are exceptional.

I wouldn't say the review ignores the nose issue. Anthony delves a little behind the decision and about the nature of both materials. I am also perplexed about the eyelid foam issue. Apparently it age tested better. I know the nose (just sticking out there as it does) would be much more problematic made from foam.

Also, I hope the bottom picture is swapped out. My computer is reading it as distorted. There was also a side-by-side correction image option. Maybe the picture wasn't swapped all the way through?

[Was Once Ernie]

Originally Posted by frogboy4

Also, I hope the bottom picture is swapped out. My computer is reading it as distorted. There was also a side-by-side correction image option. Maybe the picture wasn't swapped all the way through?

It's distorted on my computer, too. It looks like it's being resized to the incorrect aspect ratio for the photo.

[Ignohippo]

Major kudos and sincerest apologies to MR. Gonzo rocks! He's much better than I had anticipated and quite a deal better in person than in pictures.

I have made a few alterations:
(1) just taking off his suit jacket made a world of difference to me. IMO it doesn't fit quite right. Once the jacket was off, Gonzo seemed to take on a different personality. The tux shirt, tie, pants, shoes, and socks (nice touch, MR!) are all very well done. I changed him into more casual clothes though – this is florida after all!

(2) I trimmed the hair around his eyes and cheeks. This made a huge difference, too. He looked much more like Gonzo without all of the fluff around his eyes.

(3) I changed the pupil placement. I used felt and these are temporary. I will be using the telescope flocking others have recommended.

Here's a pic of Gonzo and the gang:
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=IMG_2564.jpg

I will be painting his white eyelids as soon as I can find the time to run out and get some green paint.

I would recommend Gonzo to everyone who is on the fence. The nose material doesn't bother me as much as I expected and looks pretty good in person. I have been very critical of the pics of Gonzo but he has exceeded my expectations in every way. The alterations that I have made are very minimal and anyone could do them.

Now the question: Is Gonzo a replica or an expensive doll? I would call Kermit a replica. Animal and Gonzo are close, but not quite what I would call replicas. That being said, they are better than just being called dolls and are worth every penny.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give Gonzo:

Out of the box: 8

With minor adjustments: 9.25!

[MuppetCaper]

Here is my modded out version of him.

• I changed his pupils (with new ones).

• Cut the hair around his eyes (and on the top behind his eyelids!)

• Painted his bottom lip pink (the stuff that Terry used!)

Hope you guys like him!


http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...t/GonzoNew.jpg


Enjoy!

[Luke]

Originally Posted by frogboy4

I wouldn't say the review ignores the nose issue. Anthony delves a little behind the decision and about the nature of both materials. I am also perplexed about the eyelid foam issue. Apparently it age tested better. I know the nose (just sticking out there as it does) would be much more problematic made from foam.

I don't think its right he doesn't take off any points for the nose at all seeing as he accepts their substitute yet takes off a point for the eyes - which is slightly less of a big deal and somewhat fixable. Thats what i meant about kinda ignoring it (pointswise i mean) - all the negatives are touched upon but played down. It is his opinion though and he is writing it from a fan perspective.

I doubt the eyelids or other foam parts will cause a problem for many, many years to come if treated carefully. I doubt the nose would have been either but yes there is the issue of if people tried to pose it. Gonzo's touchy about his nose!

[Ignohippo]

Incredible review and pics Anthony!
I would really like to be able to click on the 360 turnaround to see a larger version!

I also really like the flower you used in his suit!

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Ignohippo

Here's a pic of Gonzo and the gang:
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=IMG_2564.jpg

Ok now that is the first and only photo i have seen of these where you can actually say, totally and unquestionably that looks like Gonzo and also has the Gonzo character about it. I like the shirt jacket but yea, he looks so much better without and with the alterations you made - the eyes are perfect.

[frogboy4]

Originally Posted by Luke

I don't think its right he doesn't take off any points for the nose at all seeing as he accepts their substitute yet takes off a point for the eyes - which is slightly less of a big deal and somewhat fixable. Thats what i meant about kinda ignoring it (pointswise i mean) - all the negatives are touched upon but played down. It is his opinion though and he is writing it from a fan perspective.

I doubt the eyelids or other foam parts will cause a problem for many, many years to come if treated carefully. I doubt the nose would have been either but yes there is the issue of if people tried to pose it. Gonzo's touchy about his nose!

I agree with a lot of that and found the scoring opinions to be somewhat high in some cases but overall a four Kermit head rating is about right so it kinda mixed up right (in my opinion) in the end. I also don't have a love for the nose material, but I do like the nose overall. To be honest, once in a while I still feel that something else could have been done...but then I look at him in his corrected pupils and forget all about it. Those darn seductive Gonzo eyes.

[KermieBaby47]

Originally Posted by Luke

I don't think its right he doesn't take off any points for the nose at all seeing as he accepts their substitute yet takes off a point for the eyes - which is slightly less of a big deal and somewhat fixable. Thats what i meant about kinda ignoring it (pointswise i mean) - all the negatives are touched upon but played down. It is his opinion though and he is writing it from a fan perspective.

But the important question to you Luke: are you going to get yourself a Gonzo?

Surely you must see that everyone who's gotten him keeps saying that he looks a ton better in-hand, very near perfect, especially after the few mods. I was still skeptical before he arrived, and now I can't believe that I ever thought about skipping out on him! He's a whole lotta fun, and very authentic looking in person. I wasn't kidding about the part of the netting looking like foam cells close-up.

And trust me, I was back and forth on my Likeness & Overall scores due to his nose, but I ultimately decided not to dwell on it and take MR's Gonzo for what he is... Weird! As you said, just my own opinion.

Cheers,

Anthony

Big thanks for your cheers & jeers everyone! It was a blast to do a review for my favorite site. Igno, your Muppets are beautiful! I know you asked before what I did to make my Animals' hair stay down (leaned him up against my bedroom wall for a few days btw), but your Animal looks great! Everyones' mods are working out perfectly. I might do like MuppetCaper and paint his lip later on, but for now I'm happy.