Feb 08 | While his "Lost" co-stars prepare to pack up and leave Hawaii, Daniel Dae Kim can plan to remain there for at least a few more months. Mr. Kim, who plays the time-traveling tough guy Jin on "Lost," has been the first actor cast in a coming remake of the crime drama "Hawaii Five-O," The Hollywood Reporter said. He has been cast as Chin Ho Kelly, a detective played by Kam Fong in the original series, which began in 1968. The "Hawaii Five-O" revival is being developed by the screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci ("Star Trek," "Fringe") and Peter Lenkov, an executive producer of "CSI: NY."
Feb 03 | William Shatner has paid tribute to his former Boston Legal co-star Justin Mentell, who died in a freak car accident on Monday. The 27 year old was thrown from his Jeep after swerving off the road near Madison, Wisconsin and died at the scene of the tragic crash. The Star Trek legend was saddened to hear of Mentell's passing - as he's convinced the actor was destined for a glittering career. In a post on his Twitter.com page, Shatner writes, "I'm deeply saddened to hear about Justin Mentell. There's no telling how far up the ladder he may have climbed. My sympathies to his family."
Feb 01 | Journalist Edward Gross posted an article at SciFiTVZone.com called "The Making of the Star Trek Pilots, Part 3: "Assignment Earth"" which takes a retrospective look at the making of the Gene Roddenberry unsold TV pilot "Assignment Earth" filmed at Desilu Studios as a second season Star Trek episode. The article feature rare interviews - including authors involved with the character of Gary Seven in comics and in novels.
As the world of STAR TREK collectibles continues to expand and develop with the latest DVDs, collectible card games, books, costumes, and Hallmark Christmas ornaments, a new player has entered into the collectibles game with the first items that are, far and away, the best items ever produced for the STAR TREK fan market.
Master Replicas, with the authorization and blessing of Paramount Pictures, has come out with the first two items in a series of limited edition replicas based on props used in the STAR TREK television series and feature films (they also produce STAR WARS replicas as well). When you take a look at these reproductions, you cannot believe your eyes.
The first item they have produced is the STAR TREK Communicator Limited Edition, based on the classic Original Series communicator. In looking at this item, I was blown away at the attention to the details and sounds. It is activated when you flip open the antenna grid and you hear the legendary communicator "chirp" that is indicative of any moment during the Original Series when Captain Kirk signaled the Enterprise. The moiré dial spins continuously, and the power and frequency lock lights ignite when you activate the communicator. It also has a blinking red emergency beacon, and when you use the frequency selector dial, you can hear the frequency search signal. On the back of the communicator is a hidden button that you can press to prompt the incoming call alert. It looks and sounds exactly like the real deal!
INITIAL INTEREST: Just the mere thought of having one of these Communicators to carry around and have with you makes for a wonderful conversation piece! Grade: A+
OVERALL QUALITY: The people at Master Replicas have gone back to the communicator prop from the Original Series and developed an extremely high-quality replica of an actual working communicator, from look to weight and feel. The sounds of the Communicator are digitally reproduced from the master audiotapes used in the Original Series, so it sounds like a Communicator should, not like the artificial toy sounds from years past. The highest attention to detail is given in making it look like what we have seen on the series. It does require two AAA batteries in order to bring the feel of the Communicator to life and are easily installable. Exceptionally well done. Grade: A+
INITIAL VALUE: These are not toys, by any means. Because of the attention to detail and the commitment to quality, these are high end products, so it carries a high price tag. The Limited Edition Communicator is limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide, so each piece comes with its own custom display case, a numbered metallic display plaque and plaque holder, a certificate of authenticity signed by Scott Vogel, the CEO of Master Replicas, and a behind the scenes story about the prop. Each Limited Communicator retails for $299. Not only do you get all of that for one price, but it also includes a one-year membership in the Master Replicas Collectors Society. In addition, two Signature Edition Communicators have also been produced, one signed by William Shatner and one signed by Leonard Nimoy. Each Signature Edition Communicator is limited to 500 pieces worldwide and retails for $399. Given the fact that Mr. Nimoy very rarely signs anything now related to STAR TREK, these will be extremely hard to come by in years to come. These products are not for the casual collector, but affordable payment plans have been set up for fans to add these products to their collection. Grade: A
COLLECTIBILITY: As I pointed out earlier, the wonderful attention and quality detail given to the Original Series Communicator is well worth the look, the weight, the feel, everything, and given the retail price for each item, it's well produced and will very likely accrue in value over the years. Grade: A+
The second product that Master Replicas has come out with is the FIRST CONTACT Phaser Limited Edition. When I opened the package up, I couldn't believe how heavy this prop replica was! It feels and looks exactly like the real phaser used in the NEXT GENERATION feature films, DEEP SPACE NINE, and VOYAGER. Again, this is no toy like what we have seen in the past from Playmates and other manufacturers. It has multiple stun, kill, and overload settings that give it that little something extra, that sense of added realism. When I held it in my hands I was looking for that little belt clip to attach it to my side. I felt like a real Starfleet officer now!
INITIAL INTEREST: Again, as with the Original Series Communicator, this is a product of the highest order, made with loving care. The toy and model phasers in the past have never looked or sounded this good. Grade: A+
OVERALL QUALITY: Outstanding from start to finish! This is no lightweight toy replica from years past. The body of the phaser is constructed of a die-cast metal alloy, and once you feel the weight of the phaser in your hands, it will definitely stand the test of time. The phaser sounds are once again digitally taken from the master audiotapes at Paramount, so it lights up and sounds just like a phaser should. When you "fire" the phaser, a flashing white LED lights up at the head of the phaser, so be careful not to shine this in Junior's eyes or a pet's eyes. As with the Original Series Communicator, it requires the installation of two AAA batteries in order to work and are easily installable in the back of the phaser handle. Grade: A+
INITIAL VALUE: As with the Original Series Communicator, the FIRST CONTACT Phaser Limited Edition is limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide and carries with it a retail price of $299. With that price you get a very sturdy, large display case, a metallic numbered display plaque and plaque holder, a certificate of authenticity, a behind the scenes story about the prop, and a one-year membership in the Master Replicas Collectors Society. In addition, a Signature Edition Phaser has also been issued, limited to 500 pieces worldwide and signed by Patrick Stewart, and it carries a retail price of $399. Again, affordable payment plans have been set up with Master Replicas so you can add this phaser to your collection. A high-end product only merits a high-end price, but given the look, weight, and feel of this phaser, it's definitely worth it. Grade: A
COLLECTIBILITY: Echoing my earlier comments, given that this is a limited edition product, and given the highest attention to detail, production, display value, and price, this is another limited edition product that will definitely accrue in value over the years. Especially more so for the signed pieces! Grade: A+
Earlier I stated that these are not toys, and this is definitely the case. Master Replicas has gone above and beyond the call in constructing these products of such high caliber, and they are recommended for ages 12 and up, with adult supervision required for the installation of the batteries and overall usage. Furthermore, because each product and display case contains small parts, these items are not suitable for children under the age of three, so it is best recommended to put these items as far away from tiny hands as possible. In addition, each product comes with important safety and usage instructions, along with a limited warranty for repair, replacement, refund or exchange of products, and a coupon for $25 off your next order from Master Replicas.
It's really hard to come up with anything else that brings such praise to these props! Master Replicas is the first production company I've seen that has come up with such high quality products for STAR TREK (and even STAR WARS) fans and serious collectors. And this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Coming next month is the Original Series Phaser Limited Edition, as well as a Signature Edition series signed by Bill Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. These are so beautifully researched and constructed, that the best thing I know to do would be to display them proudly for everyone to see. Even the packaging is very protective, as each item comes securely packaged for very quick, timely, and secure delivery.
I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a cell phone that looks like a replica TOS communicator. It wouldn't be that difficult, especially with modern cell phone technology. I once saw a calculator built inside a communicator shell; the inner face plate flipped out to reveal a calculator pad and display. A cell phone could be similar, and I'm sure that there are plenty of Trekkies out there who'd happily trade their Nokias or Samsungs for a real Starfleet communicator!
So how come nobody's making these? I want one now! >:
I bought the Shatner signed TOS Communicator and here's what I found annoying about it:
* There is a 1.5x1.5-in white lettered stamp on the back identifying it as a MR replica prop.
* There are four, not hidden at all, large silver screws on the back that secure the back plate that covers the battery compartment.
* The "antenna" was slightly crooked when closed.
* The black button on the back of the unit and the two silver buttons on the front have very bad contact problems and only work intermittently.
What does work very well:
* the moving moire pattern when you open the "antenna" is very cool!
When called and questioned about whether each unit is individually tested before shipping it to their customers, the guy on the other end of the phone hemmed and hawed about how they were out of stock until late January and whether or not would I like to return it for a refund.
Oh, and it only comes with a 90-day warranty.
Needless to say, as the first "professional" prop I've ever bought, I'm quite disappointed at the quality of what I received for the price I paid. I'm going to hang onto it until they get more stock and see if the button contact problems are fixed in their next manufacturing run.
I just received it and I can't say enough about how fantastic this prop replica is. Unlike the SE Communicator I received (which has yet to be replaced by MR), this SE unit is fully and flawlessly functional!
As you'd expect, the type 1 and type 2 phasers are separate. The type 1 has three settings on the power setting wheel: stun, heat, and disrupt. Turning the power setting wheel rotates the sight up.
The type 2 phaser won't work unless the type 1 phaser is attached. The emitter ring rotates to extend and retract the emitter. The power level dial has ten settings: off, low stun, medium stun, uv torch, phaser low, heavy stun, phaser medium, phaser heat, phaser high, and overload. There appear to be green, red, and violet leds in the emitter and they flash and strobe differently for each setting (except off) when the firing button is pressed. The side dial clicks around, but has no function.
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