Review of Star Wars Captain Phasma action figure
Disney Elite and Star Wars Black comparison

Introduction

A few weeks ago, I looked at the new Hasbro Star Wars Black series First Order Stormtrooper, and did a comparison review with the slightly large and much heavier Disney Elite Series FO Stormtrooper. That review proved popular and useful, so I thought I'd choose another interesting dual release to further contrast and compare the two lines.

And that's what we have tonight - a look at Captain Phasma from both Hasbro and Disney. Remember, the Hasbro line is a 6" scale, while the Disney line is closer to a 6 1/2" scale. Captain Phasma - a name that sounds like someone in a Michael Jackson music video - is tall on screen, and they've upped the size on both of these to match.

The price point on the Hasbro version is about $20, while the Disney Elite release is $25.  Remember, Disney also uses die cast metal, giving their figures some additional bulk and weight. These are both available now, although using the Disney online store might be your best bet for finding their Phasma.

I've alternated the photos, starting with the Hasbro Phasma in the initial shot. That means the photo below is from Disney, the photo in the Sculpt section is Hasbro, etc.

Packaging - Disney ***; Hasbro ****
Both boxes are fairly basic and plain - they are going for a look of simple sophistication. I do like the artwork on the front of the Hasbro box, and both allow for easy storage. They also both show off the figures well for those of you who like to keep things MIB.  The big dividing line is with the twisty ties, which everyone knows I hate, particularly with a 'collector' line.  The Hasbro version has none, using a well designed plastic tray to keep the figure in place. The Disney version has five, due to the weight of the figure.

I also hadn't noticed this before, but the Hasbro version says it's for ages 4 and up, while the Disney version is marked for 3 and up.  Hmmm...it seems to me that a three year old could do a lot more damage swinging the metal figure around than the plastic one.

Sculpting - Disney ***; Hasbro ***1/2
Both figures are clearly Phasma, and both show off the silver armor nicely. There's a fair amount of detail work, but Hasbro wins in this category thanks to a greater emphasis on the smaller details.

For example, if you compare the two helmets you'll notice that the Hasbro version (photo below) has a textured grid pattern to the black area around the bottom of the 'duck bill'. On the Disney version (photo below the Paint section), this area is simply smooth.  In general, the cuts and edges on all of the details on the Hasbro version are sharper and more defined, possibly due to the greater ease of getting that sort of detail in the plastic, rather than the metal.

The helmet on the Disney version is plastic though, so there's no real excuse there.  While their helmet might be less detailed, I have to say I like the proportional scale a bit better. I think the Hasbro helmet is a smidge small compared to the body, while the size of the Disney helmet is just about perfect.

The other major difference is in the calves.  The armor is much larger and rounder on the Hasbro figure, giving her a stockier look in the lower legs.  The Disney version is skinnier, and which you prefer is going to be very much a matter of personal taste, at least until the film comes out and we can better judge the accuracy of each.

A final nit with Disney - the plastic parts aren't as well done. While the metal looks great, and everyone will love the heft it provides, the plastic pieces are lower quality.  For example, there's a weird divet in the chin of the helmet, and obvious mold lines on the packs on the front of the belt. The Hasbro version has a much cleaner appearance overall.

I mentioned that they had upped the size on both of these versus the regular figures.  For example, the Hasbro FO Stormtrooper was just over 6" tall, and Phasma is about 3/4" taller, coming in between 6 3/4" and 7". The Disney Trooper was about 6 1/2" tall, and their Phasma is also 3/4" bigger, coming in at 7 1/4".

Both capes are a softer rubbery plastic, sculpted to hang over one shoulder. Again, there's more texturing on the Hasbro version, and it doesn't appear as though either are removable. I tried popping off the heads, but there was no give...and I wasn't going to snap anything.

That's the Hasbro figure in the photo below...

Paint - ***
With the earlier Troopers, I gave Disney the edge in this category. This time, I felt both were pretty even in the quality of the paint work.

Silver is always a tough color anyway, and her the coverage isn't quite as clean and consistent. Both have some globby spots, although this is generally on the plastic areas only. With the Disney die cast pieces, the silver looks much better, and it's metallic finish is slightly shinier than the Hasbro version. There's basic quality issues with both - and neither have that super shiny metal look that you might expect (and that we'll hopefully get with the Hot Toys version), but the application is decent.

One thing that bugged me on both - the black pins. The Disney version has a cape to hid the screws that people hated on some of the other troopers, but it does have pins at the calves that are black, rather than silver, making them stand out.  The same is true with the pins in the knee joints on the Hasbro version - obvious black instead of silver. I'm not sure why they do something that glaring, when it seems so easy to avoid. I'm betting it's because the parts are painted first, then assembled, making it harder for them to do silver pegs, but it's not THAT complicated to get it right.

Pictured just below is the Disney version...

Articulation - Disney ***; Hasbro ***1/2
Here's another category where Hasbro is the clear winner. The use of the die cast metal is cool, but it does mean some areas get restricted.

Hasbro has the ball jointed neck, rotating hinge shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and ankles, double pin knees, another rocker joint in the foot/ankle, and a rolling torso. There's a cut joint on the hip too, and it works better here than in the recent Snowtrooper.

While the joints aren't perfect - I wish there was a cut bicep to help out the elbows a bit - the stances are flowing and natural, especially at this scale. The elbows are also better than with the earlier Troopers, and you can get the arms to turn across the body at least a bit as well as bend slightly higher. She has no trouble holding the gun in both hands, which is not possible with the Disney release.

The Disney figure does have the good neck joint, and very basic rotating hinge shoulders. The elbows are hinge only, and there's also no cut bicep, so the arm can not move across the body, left to right, making it impossible for her to hold the weapon in both hands at once. There's single pin knees and ankles, the basic rotating hinge at the hips, and no cut joints of any kind on the legs or torso.

The Disney figure can take simple standing poses, but can't hold the gun with much variety. You'll still get one or two very good poses for the shelf, but you won't find yourself changing it up very often.

Below is another shot of the Hasbro figure.

Accessories - ***
Both figures have one key accessory - the blaster.  I think the sculpts and paint work are solid on both, but the Disney version seems to be slightly better sized to the body. The Hasbro version appears just a smidge small to my eye.

The Disney version also has a basic black foot stand, which can come in handy. The weight of the torso makes it more likely that it will topple over when standing for an extended period, and the stand can reduce some of the risk.

The next photo is another of the Disney Elite release.

Fun Factor - ***1/2
Both of these figures are a lot of fun.  The extra posability on the Hasbro version might give her a leg up for you, but other people are going to love the weight and heft of the metal on the Disney version, making this category a wash.

Value - **1/2
Another category that's pretty much a wash, and one that's a wash when it comes to the Overall assessment.  These are in line with the market pricing for collector themed figures in this scale, and the slightly higher cost of the Disney Phasma is due to the inclusion of the die cast parts.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing.

Overall - Disney ***; Hasbro ***1/2
Once again, Hasbro beats Disney and by the same score.

That's not to say that I don't have any issues with the Hasbro release, because I do. The most glaring for me is the size of the helmet, which simply looks too small in comparison to the size of the body.  I doubt it would be as noticeable if Disney hadn't done the better job and given us something to compare.

If you look at a photo of the costume from D20, it seems that neither is dead on accurate when it comes to the calf armor.  The Hasbro seems too bulky, the Disney appears too tapered and narrow.  If I have to choose, I prefer the Hasbro look, but that can vary based on angle and pose.

There's no denying that the die cast metal aspect of the Elite series is an attractive quality, but in the end I still prefer the work being done on the Hasbro line. I will be picking up some more of the Elite series however, particularly with some of the other armored characters where the addition of the metal makes for an interesting look.

The next photo down is of the Disney figure, while the final shot is of the Hasbro Phasma.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - Disney ***; Hasbro ****
Sculpting - Disney ***; Hasbro ***1/2
Paint - ***
Articulation - Disney ***; Hasbro ***1/2
Accessories - ***
Fun Factor - ***1/2
Value - **1/2
Overall - Disney ***; Hasbro ***1/2

Where to Buy 
If you want to pick up the Disney Elite version of Phasma, you should hit their online store or your local Disney retail location. Expect to pay around $25. For the Hasbro Black Series release, stores like Toys R Us, Target and Meijer have been getting her in, and online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth has a case of the wave that includes Phasma for $150.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
The most recent review for Star Wars in this scale was the Elite series General Grievous, a figure I wasn't too happy about. I also looked at the Elite series FO Stormtrooper and Flametrooper.

Over on the side of the Black series and the new film, I've covered the Target two pack of Poe and the Riot Control Trooper, the first Poe, the basic FO Trooper (along with the Disney die cast version), Snowtrooper, and Captain Zuvio.

I've covered a ton of the earlier Star Wars Black 6" figures as well, so you should also hit the Search Reviews page to find them and in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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