Packaging - ****
This is one of the major selling points for Hasbro with this line. Was the vintage packaging great to begin with? We consider this and just decide that since the front of the card is an exact replica it’s magic. In this particular vintage figure the card graphics were very good as opposed to the likes of the Walrus Man card, (Hasbro did not release a Vintage Original Trilogy Collection version of this character) which had a painting of the alien on it. Another great aspect is that the packaging is collector friendly as it comes in a plastic case. The back of the card depicts the other figures along with a general paragraph and an original Stormtrooper card for, “Historical Reference only”.
Sculpting - ****
This is one of the defining aspects of this figure. The sculpting is perfect in every way.
This captures the essence of an Imperial Stormtrooper. At first glance at some of these photos you might at first think you see a movie still. These are the perfect army builders.
One of the best things about the sculpting is that is conceals the articulation perfectly. There is plenty of articulation but we’ll get to that later. The belt is molded on. The head is supposedly removable. This sculpt is perfect in every way. Compared to the vintage one or even the 1999 version Hasbro has come a long way. (See my picture of all stormtroopers) This is probably the best sculpt out of all the VOTC figures and SW figures in general perhaps. Even the wonderful VOTC Han might be defeated.
Paint - ***1/2
There is not much to paint. In general the paint is applied very well. Compared to prior releases this one is glossy. This figure will not yellow as easily. The fingers are sloppy and that detracts half a star. The lines on the helmet are well done. The eyes are the right size too. Clearly more attention was paid to detail on this line of figures.
Articulation - ****
As you can see in the pictures Mr. Trooper is capable of a wide range of poses. While he is not a Marvel Legend keep in mind he is not even 4 inches high. He has the same amount of articulation as the VOTC Han. The only difference in the points of the articulation is that he has a ball jointed chest in place of a swivel waist. On mine the chest joint was rather loose. He has total:
Ball jointed neck
Ball jointed shoulders
Ball jointed elbows
Swivel wrists
Ball jointed chest
Basic hip joints
Ball jointed knees
Ball jointed feet
All this earns him ****. I feel neutral about the difference in swivel waist or ball jointed chest.
Wow. He really stands out in this line up!!!
Accessories - *1/2
If the figure has a low pint this is it. Look at the comparison photo. All of them save the Vintage one have blasters large enough to be called rifles. He has a little midget pistol. Plus—we’ve seen it before. He could have had a POTF2 rifle, long rifle and rifle rack at this price point though it would have detracted from the card display.
Value - **1/2
I paid $10.50 for him counting tax at Walmart. He was worth every penny but still that is a lot of money for a 3 and three-fourths inch figure in a spiffy box with a trinket weapon.
Overall - ****
Buy him you must. Like him you will. We’ve seen tons of Stormtrooper figures in the past. This one triumphs over them all. If Hasbro can ever make a more perfect Stormtrooper than I’ll be. He is the best VOTC. That’s my opinion.
See my scale comparison photo below.
SCORE RECAP:
Packaging - ****
Sculpt - ****
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ****
Accessories - *1/2
Value - **1/2
Overall - ****
Where to Buy
These guys are hitting Toys R Us, Target, Wal-mart and Meijers stores as we
speak.
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