Dr. Grordbort's : Goliathon 83 - Miniature Version : Reviews

RobPullar
29/06/10
Gold Collector

A mini disappointment

I have long been a wistful admirer of the manly good... Read more.

I have long been a wistful admirer of the manly good looks and sheer destructive might of the Goliathon 83. However, due to a hopefully temporary pecuniary loss on the Lithuanian Herring markets, I find myself unable to purchase the full size device.

Therefore, imagine my initial joy at discovering that I cold purchase a miniature version, that still has the destructive force of a small rhinoceros on amphetamines. As a weapon I find it quite suitable for disabling slow moving herbivores or eradicating whole nests of annoying rodents.

However, as a piece of art I was sadly disappointed. The whole weapon is cast as a single piece of metal, and the various pipes are all moulded to the body - it seems quite flat and 2-dimensional compared to the other Mini ray guns produced by Grordbort's. However, the worst thing for me is the painted decoration. Overall, the colour is a fairly dull black, with none of the manly metallic tones seen in the prototype lithographs. The piece is quite nicely rusted to give it that authentic adventurer chic, especially on the rugged barrel and grip, but overall it has the dull, monotonous matt black appearance of a blackboard. Some of the painting of the pipes and tubes is quite shoddy, running over on to the body, and the silver flask on top is quite messy looking as well. On the positive side, the colourful glass tubes and phlogiston canisters are quite nicely done, and the detail of the various switches, rivets and toggles is good. Shame about the poor finishing of the piece.

Definitely the least impressive of all my minis, and the least good value.

I shall just have to sell someone's internal organs to pay for the full size Goliathon. Hide.

0 of 0 people found this useful.

ChuckSong
13/09/09
Weta Collector

Is That A Goliathon In Your Pants?

The details of the Goliathon 83 have survived the miniaturization process... Read more.

The details of the Goliathon 83 have survived the miniaturization process with impressive faithfulness. What differences there are are mostly negligible. In fact, if you observe the close-up Weta posted for the original prop-- 99% of them are present on the miniature; the screws, switches, latches, ridges, all of that. Speaks to the detail of the piece very effectively.

With fine craftsmanship confirmed, it leaves one surefire path to misstep with paint. Thankfully, blunders are avoided. Indeed, the dark, rusty tones form the overall base coat- but there are some very finely delineated parts- like the brass tubing running snug along the body. It truly is a critical point to lend believability to the separate components and a lot of credit goes evidently to Fred Tang’s manufacturing group in China for keeping everything tight.

I can say that these are such nicely crafted Raygun morsels that they may make a completist of you. And between you and me, they go a long way in helping to forget that you can’t afford the life-size originals. Hide.

0 of 0 people found this useful.

Machiela
02/04/09
Weta Collector

Another great little gun!

Bought this gun before the huge price increase - $77 to... Read more.

Bought this gun before the huge price increase - $77 to $120 seems an insane jump, even for such a cool item, especially considering the first one cost $40.

The weapon itself is not the best looking gun of the three, but obviously it's not meant to be beautiful. The manual clearly states that in the event of a malfunction, it also doubles as a cudgel. Wonderful stuff!

I do have a math question though - could the good Doctor Grordbort answer this one for me:

If the fullsized gun dissolved 9/7th of an African elephant in 10 seconds, what can I expect from the 1/4 scale version - (a) it can dissolve approx 1/5 of same elephant in that time, or (b) it takes 4 times that time to dissolve the same amount of pachiderm, or (c) I should only hunt 1/4 scale Elephants?

Enquiring minds need to know. Hide.

3 of 3 people found this useful.

Vance
21/03/09
Gold Collector

Another fun one!

I put this one right beside the Mini F.M.O.M. on my... Read more.

I put this one right beside the Mini F.M.O.M. on my desk. Now, if there are any miniature Martians invading I am ready!. Good detail and lots of conversation generated. Highly recommended. Hide.

7 of 7 people found this useful.

Leaflock
20/03/09
Weta Collector

Toast to a Triumph!

Though only 1/4 the scale of the original raygun, the mini-Goliathon... Read more.

Though only 1/4 the scale of the original raygun, the mini-Goliathon still packs a heavy punch, and will even get the most sceptical non-collectors grudgingly muttering, 'It's pretty cool.'
It's surprisingly heavy weight makes it feel like a genuine piece of weaponry (however small), and my hat is off to the Weta artists who created this masterpiece! A real work of art. Hide.

9 of 9 people found this useful.

StingRay
21/02/09
Weta Collector

Cool base! - IDEA

Please consider: exact full scale bases would be a very nice... Read more.

Please consider: exact full scale bases would be a very nice addition for the Rayguns as a seperate purchase - they are Cooool! Hide.

4 of 6 people found this useful.