Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: Shaak Ti (Jedi warrior) action figure by Hasbro, review by Andrew Lenahan
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: Shaak Ti (Jedi master) action figure by Hasbro, review by Andrew Lenahan
Figure: Shaak Ti
Property: Star Wars
Series: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
Number: III-21
Keywords: Jedi, Jedi warrior, Jedi master, Jedi council, Jedi general, Jedi blah blah, boring Jedi, funky dreadlocks
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 and action features.
Character Overview:
In my opinion, the wholesale introduction of numerous new Jedi warriors (in Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones) was a mistake. They were pretty much introduced all at once, and not given any chance to develop as interesting characters. All we know about any of them is that they're Jedi, and presumably wise and good with their lightsabers. If you know your Kit Fisto from your Plo Koon, then congratulations, my friend, you're a bigger Star Wars fan than I. Compared to fascinating characters like Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, they might as well call these latecomers "Generic Jedi Badass #12". Ok, on to our current review. Shaak Ti, at least, is one of the more interesting-looking new Jedi, though personality-wise she's every bit as much of a personality-free cypher as Saesee Tiin or Sora Bulq.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 8.5
Boring character or not, Shaak Ti is still a cool figure. Besides her reddish-pink skin, her most distinctive feature is her elaborate set of "head-tails", a zebra-striped protective appendage that seems to combine horns with dreadlocks. Not nearly as overly-posed as the Episode II figure of her, she's far more functional than before. There's plenty od fetail to the sculpt, as well. Her head-tails are lightly textured, and her loincloth has a great embroidered look, even though it's plastic. Not everything on her is moulded, though: she has a truly awesome fabric skirt. Forget about the vinyl capes and crude felt garments of yesteryear: this skirt is a fairly high-quality piece, with a pleated feel and serrated bottom edge! Paint is also impressive with her intricately-detailed face and cool zebra-striped head-tails.
Articulation: 9
Perhaps realising that the Episode II Shaak Ti was little more than a tiny statue, Hasbro gave her some decent articulation this time around. It turned out to be a wise choice, especially since she's such an action-oriented figure. She moves at the neck, shoulders, right elbow, right mid-forearm, waist, hips, and knees. Of those, the neck, shoulders, and knees are all ball-jointed, allowing for great range of motion. The articulation is mostly excellent, with the only drawback coming to mind being the arms being forever bent at a not-too-natural angle. Also, what's up with two points of articulation on the right arm, but none on the left? Strange!
Accessories: 7.5
Shaak Ti comes with a futuristic floor base... the same one as the Royal Guard figure, in fact. She also has the expected blue lightsaber, but with an extra little feaure. The blade can be removed, and the handle plugs into her belt for handy storage. Finally, she comes with... a Game Boy Advance?! No, that can't be it. Maybe it's a makeup compact, or a PDA, or a tricorder, or a cel phone? I'm not sure, but she comes with a little computer-y thing that doesn't fit in either of her hands.
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: 8
An above-average sculpt and great articulation make Shaak Ti a quality figure that belongs in any serious collection, though the mediocre accessories keep her from being among the best of the line. Nonetheless, Shaak Ti gets a strong recommendation from me.
Availability:
Shaak Ti is available in toy stores and Wal-Marts as of this writing. Amazon.com (link) has it at a fairly good price point.
Figure: Shaak Ti
Property: Star Wars
Series: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
Number: III-21
Keywords: Jedi, Jedi warrior, Jedi master, Jedi council, Jedi general, Jedi blah blah, boring Jedi, funky dreadlocks
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 and action features.
Character Overview:
In my opinion, the wholesale introduction of numerous new Jedi warriors (in Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones) was a mistake. They were pretty much introduced all at once, and not given any chance to develop as interesting characters. All we know about any of them is that they're Jedi, and presumably wise and good with their lightsabers. If you know your Kit Fisto from your Plo Koon, then congratulations, my friend, you're a bigger Star Wars fan than I. Compared to fascinating characters like Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, they might as well call these latecomers "Generic Jedi Badass #12". Ok, on to our current review. Shaak Ti, at least, is one of the more interesting-looking new Jedi, though personality-wise she's every bit as much of a personality-free cypher as Saesee Tiin or Sora Bulq.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 8.5
Boring character or not, Shaak Ti is still a cool figure. Besides her reddish-pink skin, her most distinctive feature is her elaborate set of "head-tails", a zebra-striped protective appendage that seems to combine horns with dreadlocks. Not nearly as overly-posed as the Episode II figure of her, she's far more functional than before. There's plenty od fetail to the sculpt, as well. Her head-tails are lightly textured, and her loincloth has a great embroidered look, even though it's plastic. Not everything on her is moulded, though: she has a truly awesome fabric skirt. Forget about the vinyl capes and crude felt garments of yesteryear: this skirt is a fairly high-quality piece, with a pleated feel and serrated bottom edge! Paint is also impressive with her intricately-detailed face and cool zebra-striped head-tails.
Articulation: 9
Perhaps realising that the Episode II Shaak Ti was little more than a tiny statue, Hasbro gave her some decent articulation this time around. It turned out to be a wise choice, especially since she's such an action-oriented figure. She moves at the neck, shoulders, right elbow, right mid-forearm, waist, hips, and knees. Of those, the neck, shoulders, and knees are all ball-jointed, allowing for great range of motion. The articulation is mostly excellent, with the only drawback coming to mind being the arms being forever bent at a not-too-natural angle. Also, what's up with two points of articulation on the right arm, but none on the left? Strange!
Accessories: 7.5
Shaak Ti comes with a futuristic floor base... the same one as the Royal Guard figure, in fact. She also has the expected blue lightsaber, but with an extra little feaure. The blade can be removed, and the handle plugs into her belt for handy storage. Finally, she comes with... a Game Boy Advance?! No, that can't be it. Maybe it's a makeup compact, or a PDA, or a tricorder, or a cel phone? I'm not sure, but she comes with a little computer-y thing that doesn't fit in either of her hands.
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: 8
An above-average sculpt and great articulation make Shaak Ti a quality figure that belongs in any serious collection, though the mediocre accessories keep her from being among the best of the line. Nonetheless, Shaak Ti gets a strong recommendation from me.
Availability:
Shaak Ti is available in toy stores and Wal-Marts as of this writing. Amazon.com (link) has it at a fairly good price point.
posted by Andrew Lenahan at 2:55 PM
1 Comments:
I still have not had the chance to play with Shaak Ti....though I will say this...The Episode three figures are so far my favorite line due to the articulation. I haven't seen any that I have hated so far. I thought the little computer thingie was neat! It's a shame it doesn't fit in her hands though.
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