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Date Posted: 26/05/02 1:41:38 GMT+10
Author: Goktimus Prime
Subject: More toy reviews
In reply to: Goktimus Prime 's message, "Star Wars Episode II Thread (OT)" on 23/04/02 23:25:46 GMT+10

Reviews on more Ep 2 figures I've obtained so far, in no particular order...

ANAKIN SKYWALKER, Hangar Duel

Nice sculpt -- better than the Outlander Disguise Anakin. But like I said about the Arena Battle Padme Amidala figure, its playability seems to have been impeded by the gimmicks, rather than enhanced.
There are three gimmicks on this toy -- first of all, the left hand spins round and round. Shyeah. Secondly, the right hand has that "Force attraction" magnetic gimmick. Thirdly, the right forearm is detachable, so you can recreate the way Anakin gets his arm chopped off by Dooku. The lack of elbow joints kinda sucks, but the most annoying thing is that the right forearm is only attached by a weak-arse magnet!! Consequently, it is prone to falling off all the time. This makes toy play VERY frustrating.
ANAKIN: "Take this, Dooku! Hyaa--" *arm falls off* "Aww crap! Not again!"
DOOKU: "En gar--..oh."
I don't see why they couldn't have used a socket like they did with the right hand of the 1998 PotF Darth Vader figure with removable helmet. Also, Hangar Duel Anakin comes with two lightsabres. The first is the green bladed light sabre that he was given later during the Arena Battle, the other is his own light sabre. The blades on both sabres are detachable so that the toy can be posed with the lightsabres on or off. The blade of the green sabre falls off too easily, which makes it really annoying during toy play if you make Anakin fight Count Dooku... so really, Anakin will have either his light sabre blade or his arm falling off during toy fights. GAH! And yes, having his own light sabre is a continuity error, since Anakin's own light sabre was destroyed back at the Genosian Battle Droid factory, long before the Hangar Duel -- the blue light sabre should be Obi-Wan's (or at very least, a different design, as Obi-Wan was also using a light sabre thrown to him by another Jedi). Overall, a disappointing toy.
If I ever get my hands on a Tatooine Attack Anakin Skywalker, I might sell/trade this one off.

COUNT DOOKU

Like a lot of the Episode II figures, Dooku suffers from having his toy playability being restricted by his gimmick. Squeeze Dooku's legs together and he swings his sabre across. It's not a bad gimmick, mind you -- but I would have preferred if it were totally removed and replaced with more points of articulation.
Dooku also comes with the green bladed light sabre that Anakin uses, as well as a translucent "holographic" figurine of Darth Sidious, which makes no sense at all, considering that he never held that light sabre or made any contact with a holographic Sidious in the movie.

MACE WINDU, Genosian Rescue

A cool sculpt with Mace Windu's mouth agape and what is in theory a good gimmick. Of course, in theory Communism works. Mace Windu's right arm has a very loose elbow joint and the right hand holds the light sabre via that magnetic gimmick thingie. Push a button on his arse and he upper torso swings. In theory, this could brilliantly recreate the moment when Mace Windu decapitates Jango Fett. Unfortunately in reality, the toy just tosses it light sabre away. This problem could have been easily solved if they'd given this figure a "Kung Fu grip" and had him holding the lightsabre in a more clipped manner, instead of relying on a weak magnet to hold in place and then not expecting it to fly off when the entire arm just violently swings 180 degrees. Also, the left ankle on my figure is twisted, meaning that Mace Windu cannot stand up properly. I have mine posted on an old Episode I Battle Droid COMMtech chip for support.

JANGO FETT, Kamino Escape

I bought the Preview Jango Fett figure a long time ago, but never bothered opening it, because the one Jango Fett figure that I wanted to get and open was the Kamino Escape Jango Fett! This toy represents the battle between Jango Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi, where Jango really shined, and the toy really reflects that well. Unlike most of the other Episode 2 figures I've picked up so far, this toy's playability is neither restricted by his sculpted pose nor gimmicks. First of all, it comes with both pistols which he can hold in both hands (with a proper grip -- no lame magnet here!) and can also be holstered onto his thighs. The backpack can fire a missile! Okay, the missile which actually fires is really long, in compliance with current toy safety standards, but for sticklers of movie likeness, the toy also comes with a "dummy" missile which looks more like the missile used in the movie, although it cannot fire (otherwise it would be too much of a choking hazard to pass safety requirements). Both elbows have a joint that allow the forearms to rotate horizontally, meaning that Jango's left hand can reach over to his right gauntlet and "activate" the grappling claw. The grappling claw gimmick itself consists of a claw which fits under Jango's right wrist very neatly and is attached to a string. Last but not least, the helmet is removable, showing Jango's head/face. Overall, a very good figure and my favourite Episode II figure so far, because the gimmicks compliment the toy's playability instead of obstructing it. So it's a good toy with good gimmicks.

CLONE TROOPER, Preview figure

Fairly mundane as far as SW toys go. Basic five points of articulation. The "dirty" paint deco on the legs is pretty cool, recreating the way the Clone Troopers marched through the Genosian desert. The laser firing gimmick is corny, but actually looks pretty neat.

CLONE TROOPER

Much better than the Preview figure, as it sports more points of articulation. Twice the articulation with ten points! Decked out with accessories -- blaster rifle, mounted cannon and a brown lump of... something. The fact that the figure is painted to look more like a command officer (captain? I'm presuming that the troops with yellow stripes are commanders) also makes it more worthwhile if you already have a regulation grunt from the Preview figure.

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