Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: C-3PO action figure by Hasbro, review by Andrew Lenahan
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: C-3PO action figure by Hasbro, review by Andrew Lenahan
Figure: C-3PO
Property: Star Wars
Series: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
Number: III-18
Keywords: C-3PO, C-3P0, See-Threepio, Crow T. Robot's evolved form
Series Overview:
After a small four-figure preview set, the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith action figure line was expanded in April 2005 with many more figures. A departure from the simpler retro feel of the previous series, the Sith line features cutting-edge packaging and an emphasis on playability, accessories, and action features.
Character Overview:
A metallic-gold humanoid protocol droid, C-3PO is largely a comic-relief character throughout the Star Wars films. Though derided by some as whiny and even annoying, C-3PO's tendency to fret rather than rush headfirst into insurmountable danger makes him in some ways the most human character of the series. In Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, C-3PO aquires his familiar gold frame and serves Padme Amidala with his loyal and adorable sidekick R2-D2.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 8
Necessarily made of more brittle hard plastic than his Star Wars compatriots due to his chrome paint, R2-D2 has a decent sculpt nontheless marred by some serious problems. By far the most glaring of these is his left thumb... he doesn't have one! My first suspicion was that my figure was some sort of moulding error, but a Google search for C-3PO +thumb turned up this review (link), where the author also makes note of a thumb problem. According to the picture, that C-3PO's thumb seems mutated whilst mine is gone altogether, but it's pretty clear that there's an issue with the thumbs on this figure. Also, the pneumatic tubes running from the forearm to the bicep don't have the space between the tube and the arm cut out, though it's possible such detailing would make them too brittle. On the positive side, the paint is fantastic, and may even be the best C-3PO figure yet in that regard. The bright, shiny chrome brings happy memories of the classic vintage C-3PO of yore, while the detailed paint ops of wires on his belly and backs of knees bring the figure into the modern age. The eyes and mouth are also painted, and there's even black details on the palms of his hands!
Articulation: 7
Let's face it, folks... C-3PO is never going to be the most articulated guy in the toybox. He's pretty stiff even in the movies, so a super-articulated C-3PO wouldn't make much sense anyway. This time, he has articulation at the neck (ball-jointed, though still a limited range of motion), the shoulders, mid-torso under the chest plate (also ball-jointed, good motion), and hips. One major complaint is that all four of C-3PO's limbs fall off easily. Try putting him in a sitting position and you'll see what I mean. They do snap back on easily, so this may be an undocumented feature rather than a flaw, and it does add some playability.
Accessories: 7.5
The only accessory is a base, and while that's nothing too special, many past C-3PO figures haven't come with anything at all. Probably the all-time high point was the C-3PO who came with a battle droid and conveyor and all their limbs interchanged, but that was a deluxe figure. The base here is very nicely done, with a section of metal flooring where C-3PO can stand, and the rest is ominous molten lava. It looks like ol' 3PO really gets himself into some trouble in this movie! Anyway, the right side of the base looks like it should connect with something, probably a base included with one of the other figures, though I haven't found out which one just yet. If a figure is only going to come with one accessory, a unique and interesting base is the way to go. I'd much prefer that to yet another tiny blaster or lightsaber.
Packaging: Above Average
The Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith figures are packaged in very cool oval-shaped bubble, with a menacing Darth Vader-above-molten-lava background. The packaging is slightly hard to open, but gone are the annoying twist-ties which have plagued Star Wars figures since the late 90s. Overall, the packaging is well above average for an action figure.
Overall score: 7.5
Of all the Star Wars figures, C-3PO is probably the one to have changed the least through all his various editions. Whether this is due to reverance to a classic character or lack if innovation is a matter of opinion. My favourite C-3PO will probably always be the conveyor-belt one from Epsode II: Attack of the Clones. After that high point, playing with this new 2005 C-3PO is very much like playing with the 1977 C-3PO. If you have fond memories of that, this guy is easily worth his five bucks just for nostalgia alone.
Availability:
C-3PO is available in toy stores and Wal-Marts as of this writing. Amazon.com (link) has it at a good price point.
Figure: C-3PO
Property: Star Wars
Series: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
Number: III-18
Keywords: C-3PO, C-3P0, See-Threepio, Crow T. Robot's evolved form
Series Overview:
After a small four-figure preview set, the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith action figure line was expanded in April 2005 with many more figures. A departure from the simpler retro feel of the previous series, the Sith line features cutting-edge packaging and an emphasis on playability, accessories, and action features.
Character Overview:
A metallic-gold humanoid protocol droid, C-3PO is largely a comic-relief character throughout the Star Wars films. Though derided by some as whiny and even annoying, C-3PO's tendency to fret rather than rush headfirst into insurmountable danger makes him in some ways the most human character of the series. In Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, C-3PO aquires his familiar gold frame and serves Padme Amidala with his loyal and adorable sidekick R2-D2.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 8
Necessarily made of more brittle hard plastic than his Star Wars compatriots due to his chrome paint, R2-D2 has a decent sculpt nontheless marred by some serious problems. By far the most glaring of these is his left thumb... he doesn't have one! My first suspicion was that my figure was some sort of moulding error, but a Google search for C-3PO +thumb turned up this review (link), where the author also makes note of a thumb problem. According to the picture, that C-3PO's thumb seems mutated whilst mine is gone altogether, but it's pretty clear that there's an issue with the thumbs on this figure. Also, the pneumatic tubes running from the forearm to the bicep don't have the space between the tube and the arm cut out, though it's possible such detailing would make them too brittle. On the positive side, the paint is fantastic, and may even be the best C-3PO figure yet in that regard. The bright, shiny chrome brings happy memories of the classic vintage C-3PO of yore, while the detailed paint ops of wires on his belly and backs of knees bring the figure into the modern age. The eyes and mouth are also painted, and there's even black details on the palms of his hands!
Articulation: 7
Let's face it, folks... C-3PO is never going to be the most articulated guy in the toybox. He's pretty stiff even in the movies, so a super-articulated C-3PO wouldn't make much sense anyway. This time, he has articulation at the neck (ball-jointed, though still a limited range of motion), the shoulders, mid-torso under the chest plate (also ball-jointed, good motion), and hips. One major complaint is that all four of C-3PO's limbs fall off easily. Try putting him in a sitting position and you'll see what I mean. They do snap back on easily, so this may be an undocumented feature rather than a flaw, and it does add some playability.
Accessories: 7.5
The only accessory is a base, and while that's nothing too special, many past C-3PO figures haven't come with anything at all. Probably the all-time high point was the C-3PO who came with a battle droid and conveyor and all their limbs interchanged, but that was a deluxe figure. The base here is very nicely done, with a section of metal flooring where C-3PO can stand, and the rest is ominous molten lava. It looks like ol' 3PO really gets himself into some trouble in this movie! Anyway, the right side of the base looks like it should connect with something, probably a base included with one of the other figures, though I haven't found out which one just yet. If a figure is only going to come with one accessory, a unique and interesting base is the way to go. I'd much prefer that to yet another tiny blaster or lightsaber.
Packaging: Above Average
The Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith figures are packaged in very cool oval-shaped bubble, with a menacing Darth Vader-above-molten-lava background. The packaging is slightly hard to open, but gone are the annoying twist-ties which have plagued Star Wars figures since the late 90s. Overall, the packaging is well above average for an action figure.
Overall score: 7.5
Of all the Star Wars figures, C-3PO is probably the one to have changed the least through all his various editions. Whether this is due to reverance to a classic character or lack if innovation is a matter of opinion. My favourite C-3PO will probably always be the conveyor-belt one from Epsode II: Attack of the Clones. After that high point, playing with this new 2005 C-3PO is very much like playing with the 1977 C-3PO. If you have fond memories of that, this guy is easily worth his five bucks just for nostalgia alone.
Availability:
C-3PO is available in toy stores and Wal-Marts as of this writing. Amazon.com (link) has it at a good price point.
posted by Andrew Lenahan at 10:03 PM
1 Comments:
"Necessarily made of more brittle hard plastic than his Star Wars compatriots due to his chrome paint, R2-D2 has a decent sculpt nontheless marred by some serious problems. By far the most glaring of these is his left thumb..."
I didn't realise R2 had thumbs! ;)
I agree with you on every point here. Though I don't think the thumb problem is deterring enough to keep someone like myself from purchasing him. Talk about an awesome C-3PO! I was so impressed by the articulation...especially at the torso! Wowie!
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