Packaging
The packaging is the same as the other deluxe. A big plastic bubble on a too
small card. This results in stress lines on the back and cards that warp
very easily due to the pull of the plastic bubble. The graphics on the card
are nice, but nothing exciting.
Sculpting
One of the most important factors when it comes to toys is the sculpt.
Articulation coming second and paint third. Sculpt-wise this figure is
really top notch. The boots, the arms, the little details (ranks?) on the
arms, down to the details on his clip-on armor. When i first saw this figure
and the different parts of armor, i wasn't expecting much, but they clip and
stay on very well and leave no ugly gaps. Especially the chest armor and
helmet are a great fit. You are probably wondering why i put this in this
category and not in the accessory department. Well, since these parts
make-up the figure, i am not considering these as such. The only problem
sculpt-wise are the big shin-guards and the hands which can't hold squat.
Paint
Not much to say here. Every bit of detail was applied with great care and
only a few minor paint splotches or bleed can be seen. Two thumbs up!
Articulation
If a figure is supposed to be deluxe, i expect it to be quite articulated
for the price point. I know I bought it really cheap, but i need to consider
the original price point here. The figure has only 10 points of
articulation. I am saying "only", because what is there simply
isn't enough nowadays for a deluxe figure. Add to that the fact that the
points are poorly chosen and you get something below standards. This figure
has regular swivel joints at the neck, shoulders, one wrist and 2 right
above the boots, which are perfectly concealed. The fig also has cuts at
both knees (how would he ride the Bike without them?) and a cut joint at the
elbow, but this is action feature orientated so I'm not counting it. What is
missing here are ball jointed hips, a wrist joint in his right arm and
regular elbow cuts. Since only one wrist is articulated, you'll have a hard
time getting him to stay on his bike. Really disappointing for such an
expensive figure.
Accessories
This Clone Trooper comes with only 3 extra's. While this doesn't sound like
much, you have to know one of these is fairly big: a newly sculpted Speeder
Bike! On close inspection however, you'll notice that 95% of this vehicle
was taken from the old mold created eons ago. IN fact, the only new part on
this Bike are the authentic control handles. Sure, there are other parts
that look new, but believe me when i say they are merely retooled. There was
also a similar bike released in the POTJ line which was included with the
AT-ST and Paploo, but since i don't own it, i can't be sure how identical
they are. The one included here looks great and unlike using the same
materials all over, the piping/wiring was made completely out of rubber,
giving it a more realistic look and feel to it. Paint apps do not apply here
since it looks like this was molded in red and in black and simply screwed
together. The only paint which i can find is the Republic symbol on the side
of the seat and the control panel. The Bike displays very well alone, but it
sags immediately when you put the figure on. Unlike the old Speederbike
issued in 1995 and 1997, this one doesn't have springs in the pedals and it
shows. I'd also like to mention the handles are made up of a very soft
material, so watch out they don't tear. The other two accessories present is
a blaster and an electro grenade. These are both great sculpts, but i think
a larger rifle should've been included as well, since it's the signature
weapon used by the Clones on Geonosis.
Action Feature
Lately Hasbro has been on the right track action wise, but is having
problems getting them sorted out. It has happened quite often they thought
up actions that simply didn't work because of a) the usage of bad and cheap
materials or b) the truly stupid way the feature should work. The
throwing feature is a very good example of this shoddiness. The Clone is
supposed to lob the electro grenade with the push of a button. Instead, the
Clone either drops the mine instantly or throws it right in front of
himself. Ok, now onto the next action feature....hey wait, that was all! The
only action feature Hasbro thought up in this set with lots of potential,
something simple like throwing an item and they didn't get it to work. How
pathetic. If they had put a decent string and a magnet into this figure and
the grenade it would've worked great. A better action feature in this set
would've been electronic lights and sounds. Wouldn't that be cool?
Overall - **
While this set looks promising, it fails to deserve being categorized as
a deluxe figure in my eyes. The articulation or lack thereof is embarrassing
and the use of shoddy plastic in the bike and the fact the Clone can't hold
it's weapons is truly insulting. With such an important line with so many
fans and consumers, you'd think Hasbro would put more thought into their
toys and make it functional. I bought four of these for army building and
unfortunately I already opened one, so i won't be able to take all of them
back to the store. I recently saw a topic about the worst 2003 toy released
to date in the Rebelscum forums and i finally know what i can pick: the
Clone Trooper with Speeder Bike. My advice to everyone out there is to skip
this figure if you're an opener. It will only annoy you while trying to get
it to hold the accessories. If kids play with this guy, they'd better glue
his bottom down to the bike, otherwise they'll have hunches by the time it's
Christmas. If you keep your toys packaged, get just one and no extra's to
open (got mine in The Netherlands at a Blokker store for just $5.70). Truly
a waste of good plastic. Hope Hasbro revisits this vehicle and figure a
little later this year, but in an undrunken state.
|