Zarkan

Secret 2009 info huh? I'd like to know just why you are the first outsider to get this.

Awesome! I think this is a really cool move - giving us two versions of the same vehicle. Now we can choose which one we like better.

What in the - is that real, or is that edited? Because I thought the final box shots showed it with the blue color scheme?

I agree. It seems that in the system forums here and at other places, people generally are very friendly and agree on a lot of stuff. However, when it comes to Bionicle, there are always very stark opinions and a lot of arguments (even on BZP!). It's probably because Bionicle is so different from most of the other themes, and has been turned into a sort of obsessive, nitpicky passion - like starwars and transformers. I actually think that considering what we could have gotten (I.e. Inika form), Jaller is decent. The colors are still somewhat similar (yes, it's orange, but orange is very similar to yellow) - and he actually still has a crab with him, which IMO is a homage back to 2003. Besides, you've gotta remember that Matoran to Toa transformations generally are very varried, at least storyline wise. When a Matoran transforms into a Toa, his mask, tools, and armor all change to signify more power. Toa to Toa 2.0 trasnformations IMO are of bigger concern, which is why we all are so miffed with the Toa Mistika.

Awesome article. Thanks for sharing it with us, hewkii. YES! I'm so happy for this. This assures that City will be around for a long while - since TLC now always continues producing themes that sell well. It also really shows how dumb TLC was in the dark ages - refusing to produce all their core themes and instead producing crud like Galidor, Island Extreme Stunts, Znap, and Jack Stone is a surefire way to go out of buisness.

Thank you again, Legomilk! City - Yes, it is confirmed for a 5 year! I'm actualy thinking a second Emergency Rescue wave might be possible, with a new hospital and some vehicles not done before as single sets, like a boat, a plane, and maybe a smaller emergency responce vehicle. I'm betting that the Trains will be the main subtheme in the summer - I think we can expect at least two new large trains, and possibly a train station and train crossing. Maybe even a cargo center! Castle - I think it's almost guarenteed that its elves next year. Can't wait to see the sets! Duplo, Technic, Racers - not interested in any of these, but I do like the dirrection technic is going in, and the racers might be okay. Maybe new Speed Racer kits? Although I doubt it. Bionicle - From what Greg F - the head writer of bionicle - has been saying, Bionicle 2009 may really bring back the awesomeness of the very first year. I'm very excited for this theme as well, although I may not buy much, since this year I'm buying a ton. Starwars - I am so hoping for a revival of original Trilogy kits. There's so much from the first three movies that either hasn't been made or hasn't been made well enough. We need more Hoth, Endor, and Tatooine sets! Agents - Looking foward to the second wave, considering how awesome the first wave is. Loving the whole theme. Two New Themes - Honestly, I'm almost certain that we shall see a new, modern incarnation of classic space in 2009, since it looks like Mars Mission is ending this year. I also think the second new theme will be some sort of history theme - I'm rooting for Pirates, although it could be Western or even a brand new theme like Rome or Ancient Egypt (I mean what it looked like back when it was a thriving civilization, not a lot of ancient ruins). Only one thing worries me - no Batman on the list. Is the Dark Knight a gonner?

Hey, watching you two talk about Batman is actually really entertaining. Mind if I add a few comments? Me neither. That's why I loved the Legion of Superheroes television program that was on the WB for some time. Sure, it's not really the normal Superman world, but at least the main baddies are more than just psycological masterminds, and at least Superman really lays some smackdown. Oh crap no! As if this whole issue wasn't controversial and heartbreaking enough, now we'll have Batman beating up terrorists from the middle east! Man, I'm glad I've never read that comic. It sounds like a pile of manure.

Well, you've gotta remember that BZP is a huge site. On forums like Eurobricks, which only has a few thousand members, revamps and major updates are not so difficult. However, on forums like BZP, which has well over 30000 members, it's a lot harder to massively update the entire thing without having at least some minor problems. Also, unlike how Eurobricks is now, BZP is not just a forum, but a whole site with a lot of pages. Oh, BTW, I got Vamprah today. He roxors - a lot more than I though he would in the very begining. Still, I had to make a few modifications to fully achieve his potential. I'll post some pictures soon.

Congrats! I'm sure eurobricks will be an even better site with you two as full time moderators.

And I can't for the life of me figure out why you stop reading people's posts just because you disagree with one comment they make. It almost makes it seem like you view people on a lower level then yourself just because their opinions may be radical or different from the majority. Seriously, Jaller's mask looks like fire, and you really can't get more Fire Toa like than a mask that looks like it's burning. I also don't see why it looks so out of place - I think it looks very heroic and noble (far more than the Inika mask), and I think Jaller would look nice fighting alongside Tahu Nuva, if not for the size increase. The gaps - yeah, they are a bit annoying, but IMO, they don't really harm the appearance too much - and at least the armor is more creative than the repetive Inika armor we've gotten for three years. As for Hahli, I agree - the Piraka torso and hunchback are not the greatest, but neither are that bad when you consider her great points. The mask is wonderful - it really harkens back to the original Kaukau with the breathing mask look and the transparent visor. Then there's the claw and fins - yes, they are a bit unusual, but I think they work beautifully on a master of the water, as they are common elements of sea creatures. Finally, I know the color scheme is a bit odd, but I like that it was really radical - plus I think it's quite striking. The lime joints? Yeah, that was crappy, but it was a production error, not a problem with the set. Doesn't make it any less annoying though.

..... Oh man, this is so awesome in so many ways. This has to be one of the coolest MOC's I've seen this entire year. Genius, Hinckley. Hm, can we possibly expect any other MOC's in this series? *hopeful*

Okay, here's a few ideas: Raiders of the Lost ark: - The flying wing (of course) - Marion's bar in Nepal, with new Major Toht and Sherpa native figures! Last Crusade: - Young Indy train chase, with one train car with some lions or snakes inside and the unnamed guy chasing Indy(the video game calls him Fedora, I think). - Sir Richard's Grave, with Indy, Elsa, the grave, some rats, and some fire bricks. - Castle Rescue - you know, the scene with the secret radio opperating room and the chimney. Includes a new female guard minifigure as well. - Tank Fight, with the tank, and new Colonel Vogel and Marcus Brody figures. - The Temple of the Holy Grail, with all three traps (Breath of God, Word of God, and Path of God), plus the cup room with the Grail Knight. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: - Hangar 51, with a russian jeep, several russians, and Mac - Apocalypse Town, with a couple russians and the lead fridge, of course! And finally, there will be no Temple of Doom sets, guys - TLC already said that. Frankly, I'm very happy for that, because I hated Temple of Doom and almost everything about it.

Well, the comics show that more than the books, but I see what you mean. This is explained in Bionicle Legends 8, though - At first, he was really quite angry about working with the two most cheerful and seemingly careless Toa (there's an actual line in the book saying something like that). However, he has matured in some ways, thanks to Pohatu's neverending friendliness with him. Even after his cold attitude towards the other toa, Pohatu has always tried to be a good friend to Kopaka, and in return Kopaka feels the need to protect his brother. Also, Kopaka has worked with other toa before - the very first comic showed him reluctantly teaming up with Pohatu. In 2003 he worked with Gali and Lewa to reform Warihua, so they could challenge the Bohrok Kal. It's not that he's always worked alone - he just prefers it, although it often is not possible. Heh, I wouldn't say that builds like Vezon and Fennrak, and Brutaka were necessarily simple. True, they weren't the Bahrag or Muaka and Kane Ra, but they still are far more complex than any average action figure - you still build them out of hundreds of parts, and you still can recycle them into new creations. Try doing that with GIJoe or Transformers! The Barraki didn't have too many new parts? What's up with that? The Barraki were simply goldmines for cool parts: Ehlek had awesome spines, head, new lime parts, and claws - Carapar had exclusive, rusty colored parts, claws, and grey rahkshi feet - Kalmah had all that sweet red and black armor, plus a cool head, new feet mold and new tentacles - Pridak had new feet, head, blades, white joints - etc. We haven't had kits as amazing as the Barraki since, both in unique, cool design and parts. Funny, I really haven't understood why people hate the Mahri so much. They are easily the most unique group of toa we've had since the Toa Mata, and while Hewkii and Matoro weren't that great, the rest were awesome. Jaller and Hahli were IMO the perfection of their respective Toa elements, and Nuparu and Kongu had some interesting design features that fit their personalities (Nuparu looks like a defensive enginer, with the skinny design and shield instead of a frontal combat weapon, while Kongu is still a long distance projectile user, harkening back to his days as a Gukko rider). I truly wish that TLC had used the same creativity they used on the Mahri when designing the Toa Mistika, who are awfuly awful. I am wondering why you only mentioned Nocturn and Karzahni though - because the other titans, especially Maxilos and Gadunka, were highly original as well.

As I though before, Bitil and Krika are the best of the canister sets, while Takanuva is the best of the Titans. Regardless, I'll be getting all of them eventually, except for the vehicles (which are too expensive for me). Then it will be time for my MOD project....

Yeah, Batbrick, why? That's it - I've had enough of your reviews and your unfailing persistant enjoyment of making fun of everyone who had engaged in conversation with you on this forum, fatdork. Or not. Kidding, kidding, of course. Thanks for the very nice review - I do think this set looks much better now - and even was considering getting it for a little while. But please, don't get angry at me for the "fatdork" remark. Hinckley started it back in EB News' interview with you! Look! See - it's all his fault!

Thanks for the review. Eh, honestly, I though this was awful ever since I first saw the pictures. To me, an incomplete grey ball doesn't really work as a special UCS kit, for the sole reason that it's BORING. Extremely so. Now, the new Death Star playset is a whole different story. They should have done that in the first place.

Very nice, considering how hard it is to make transforming MOC's with lego. The only think I don't like is that the legs are pretty skinny compared to the rest of the creation - but it still looks awesome!

Amazing! This is one of the most impressive Space Moc's that I've seen in a while, and I love that it almost looks like a real set! Although, this MOC may have officially stated your opinion on the overal message of the whole Mars Mission theme. What about the Alien fighter jets? Squashing jellies is good and all, but you also need some firepower to reduce those pesky flying ships to burning hulks of charred organic material.

Yesterday Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, completing my Indy movie marathon. Now, unlike the aformentioned crudfest Temple of Doom, Last Crusade shows the way to make a great sequel to Indiana Jones. The special effects are great without being too gory or over the top, the characters are interesting, and it's fairly lighthearted. Oh, and there's plenty of puzzles, traps, and Nazi-busting action too. I really love Indy's father - he's easily my second favorite character, next to Indy of course. Elsa... eh, not very memorable, but at least she wasn't annoying like Wille. You really can't beat Marion though, which is why I'm glad she was back in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I like Will Smith a lot, so I agree with this. I don't think he's made a movie that hasn't at least been half decent, and many of them - like Men in Black, The Pursuit of Happiness, and I am Legend were great.

What is this?! ONLY FIVE MINFIGURES in the Gunship?! Talk about slim pickings! I think this is going to be very bad for people who want to make armies of the new clones....

No, actually Greg himself said that he would be no good at set designing. This has come up when people have asked him what a toa of a non-set element would look like and once, he replied kinda like this - Yes, Greg admits that he is a story person, not a set person. The Toa Mistika? Yes, certainly. The Toa Phantoka? Nope, I think they look a lot like their old characters. All three of them have decent masks - especially Pohatu - the weapons are mostly fitting, the colors, while partly different, are still fitting - and overall, I think they just scream "Toa Nuva 2.0"

Watched Temple of Doom this afternoon. Yeesh - this is easily the worst of the Indy movies, hands down. It just didn't click at all, for more than a few reasons: - Number one reason - it's too dark for an Indy movie. This whole plot idea about a sacrificial cult that rips hearts out, lowers people into lava, and beats children working in slave mines really contrasts with the lighter parts of the movie - like Short Round and the first few scenes of the movie. - Wille is so annoying. All she does is scream, and she's supposed to be the source of the majority of the comedy in this movie. It's just like Jar Jar Binks - so annoying that George Lucas thought she would be hilarious! - The movie is way too slow and boring in parts. The parts in the Indian village were really boring, and I thought the first scene with the cult would never end. Heh, what do you know - that was my least favorite scene! - No puzzle solving or searching for treasure. Oh sure, there was the sacred power stones, but they played such a minor role. Plus, all three of the other movies (especially Last Crusade) had Indy solving puzzles in some ancient temple home only to scary creatures or a mysterious guardian. Temple of Doom? Nope, nothing, nadda. Overall, the only things I like about Temple of Doom are Short Round (who is really a cute kid and pretty funny), and a few scenes like the Mine Cart race and the gross banquet. Well, now that I've watched it during my marathon of Indy movies, I never have to watch it again!

Heh, well, I dunno how much of a support it would be to paste Obama's head on a picture of a monstrous mutated warlord.

Yesterday I watched the one and only Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Man, none of the other movies quite compare to the original. This is easily one of Spielberg and Lucas's greatest projects, complete with wonderful (but not over the top) special effects, memorable characters, and a really cool storyline. Today I'll be watching Temple of Doom, and tomorow the Last Crusade. Indy on!

Thankee, Deino. Couldn't have summed it up better myself. This is why Agents wins and alpha team FAILS. And yes, a second wave next year!. It was inevitable, considering how awesome these sets are (should sell a ton). Can't wait! Nobody is sure yet when they are coming out. One BZP member posted in a topic on there that his local TRU may have gotten boxes of the Mistika in, but there's been no word on it since. Only time will telll...