2013 Star Wars 12" AOTC Clone Trooper Review

Feeling Lucky, Punk?

When I first heard the news that Hasbro was getting back on the 1/6 scale wagon, I was cautiously optimistic, being a fan of the Kenner/Hasbro 12" figures from the '90s.  I had envisioned the line similar to the 12" Rise of Cobra figures from a few years ago: basic 12" figures featuring more sculpted than cloth outfits with a weapon at a decent price.

Hasbro, though, went with new sculpts but no cloth items and little articulation.  They seem confident that the trend will bring in big bucks for them as similar 12" figures were present for the new Spider-Man and Iron Man toy lines.

I found this figure at my local Target store. They had both the AOTC Clone Trooper and ROTS Anakin Skywalker. I wouldn't normally pass on a ROTS Anakin, but the sculpt was very weak, and the figures I saw were literally cross-eyed. So that left me with the Clone Trooper...


I was overall impressed with the sculpt of the figure.  There are actually a fair amount of details in the armor of the figure. Compared with the Anakin figure, the Clone Trooper has much better proportions. My main complaint is that the main chest piece is a little bulky, making the arms and legs connections a little awkward looking. When compared to the original 12" Stormtrooper, the Clone Trooper is a little shorter, but is closer in stature to the 12" Stormtrooper from 2004.

Being economical, Hasbro only used black paint to bring out some detailing on the helmet and the trooper's body suit.  For whatever the reason, they stopped at the hips and left the back of trooper's knees white. It seems that the figure is lucky to get that much as it looks like Hasbro is applying little if any paint apps to the backs of the figures of their economical 12" line.

Bare Knees.

Another surprise was that the Clone Trooper had a little more than the "Big 5" in the articulation department.  Yes, the head, shoulders, and hips move, but also the wrists as well. I should also mention that his blaster is molded into his right hand. I have mixed feelings about this, but otherwise, it does not distract from the figure.

A little help, guys?

There are two reasons that this figure would appeal to collectors:

1. Those interested in a vintage-styled figure of prequel characters as this is very reminiscence of the bygone era of when a toy was just a toy.

2. Customizers who enjoy applying their own paint jobs.  Since this is a very bare Clone Trooper, collectors can feel free to paint their own color design, add dirt or scoring to the armor, or just finish the job Hasbro started.

For $9.99, I have no really issue with the figure, considering that people pay $15-$20 for a figure half its size. It's a shame that nothing really makes it stand out as well.

The Clone Wars Rage On (Quietly)

The third season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" started about a month ago, and again, with the start of a season, the series shifts its focus. Of the seven episodes shown so far, only one of them is an all-out battle-type story. All six of the remaining episodes are character-oriented pieces focused more on intrigue and suspense than huge battle epics. The last handful of episodes have been put an emphasis on the female characters including Padme Amidala, Padawan Ahsoka, Satine Kryze, and Aurra Sing.

Tonight's episode will bring the droids into the spotlight as C-3PO becomes a target to bounty hunter Cade Bane. As with previous seasons, C-3PO will be voiced by Anthony Daniels who has portrayed the golden fussbucket for over thirty years in a variety of different media. Talk about commitment to a character! Hopefully, the episode may have a nod or two to the droids' own animated show from the 80s, "The Droids."

I'm not sure how the season will shape from here on out, but I've enjoyed the effort made to flesh out the characters, especially the female ones, and prove that it's not all about the "Wars."

The Return of the Clone Wars

My second "shout-out" to Clone War's second season. Last week's episode was pretty cool. Film buffs may have recognized it as a homage to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. It also marked the return of veteran voice actor Jim Cummings, reprising his role of the villainous pirate, Hondo Ohnaka. According to the trailer for the three part season closer, this isn't the last we see of Cummings.

Coming up, this week's episode has Mace Windu face off against a Godzillaesque monster.

Joy!

The Mandalore Plot

I haven't commented much on the second season of "The Clone Wars," but there's several things I'd like to mention about this week's episode.

1. Obi-Wan's in the spotlight for a change. For one of the few characters in all six films, Obi-Wan always seems to be shoved into the background in this series, and this episode finally gives him a solo adventure. Also, the episode hints at Obi-Wan's past, which is rarely explored, and a previous relationship with the Duchess of Mandalore.

2. The Duchess Satine Kryze is a cool character. She believes in peace and refuses to join the Clone Wars. She's fiercely intelligent not to mention able to take care of herself in a pinch. She also gets to save Obi-Wan for a conveyor belt death trap. Though briefly touched upon, it was interesting how Obi-Wan's and Satine's views of achieving peace differ.

3. I also applaud the series for keeping a realistic approach to war, and does not glorify it. (At least not as much as most children's shows.) While not specificly stating it, the Deathwatch group of Mandalore warriors are pretty much fanatical terrorists, willing to do whatever it takes to get their way. There's even a bombing depicting (not graphically) the deaths of civilians.

While many still make fun of The Clone Wars, I respect the series for keeping things intelligent and entertaining. Next week, we pick up where this episode leaves off.

Clone Wars on DVD

If you've been following my blog, and there's a good chance you're not, then you'd know I've been watching the new animated Star Wars series. While it may not be considered groundbreaking, most of the episodes are good, and a few are even great. Now, the first season is on dvd, and color me impressed.

First of all, the case is designed to be a book. The 4 dvds are encased on the inside of the front and back cover. Inbetween are 68 pages of sketches from the design team. (Old Timers out there may remember when dvds first came out and they all had booklets to make you feel like it was worth moving over to dvd.)

Along with that, each episode is now presented in a wider aspect ratio, offering more picture and a more theatrical look. A few of the episodes are extended, "director's cut." There is a short featurette for each episode, delving into the thought process behind that episode. The only problem is I haven't seen (or heard) any thing about the voice actors in the series or the music. (Yet. I haven't watched all the featurettes.)

Overall, there's a lot for a set that runs for only $30. I'm impressed by the effort Lucasfilm put into this release. If only Lucas had put that much effort into the prequels...

Review: Clone Wars "Blue Shadow Virus"

In the latest episode of Star Wars, we are introduced to another underused aspect of the Clone Wars: germ warfare. Dr. Nuvo Vindi (played by the brilliant Michael York) is recreating the Blue Shadow Virus in a secret lab hidden in the Naboo swamplands. I enjoyed his warped logic, that "viruses are living creatures too" and should not be eradicated. Unfortunately, he also sounds like he has a German accent. Oh, well.

With Jar Jar and Padme captured while investigating the swamps, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka have to storm an underground lab, free the prisoners, and deactivate hundreds of bombs with the virus in them. This pretty much fills out the second half of the story. Anakin, obsessed with Padme's safety, is a lot more rough around the edges and I appreciate the darker slant on Anakin. Afterall, he supposed to be Darth Vader.

As Naboo's first appearance in the series, it's a very well rounded episode. Captain Tycho, from the prequels, makes a cameo, but doesn't do much. The viewer never gets to find out what the Blue Shadow Virus does to a person, and all it amounts to is Jedi juggling small vials. Still, pretty sound entertainment. B

Review: Clone Wars "Dooku Captured"

In the latest chapter of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Anakin and Obi-Wan pursue Count Dooku to a remote planet, where Dooku gets captured by a gang of pirates and is held for ransom. Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent by the Republic to confirm the pirates' claim, but are they also walking into a trap?

The episode stars two key figures, who have remained in the background for most of the series so far: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Count Dooku. The episode in general is fairly average, pretty much what I thought the whole series was going to be like, but there are a number of things that should be commended.

First of all, Skywalker and Kenobi. Not even in the animated movie have the two spent much screen time together, and here we get to see the two of them in action, Anakin's recklessness and Obi-Wan's experience playing off each other. There are a number of playful quips as they banter back and forward. It's nice to see a more cavalier Skywalker than the brooding, angsty one in the movies.

Second, all three Jedi are deprived of their lightsabers fairly early on, making them rely on themselves and the Force. It's always fun to see how a Jedi will get out of a jam without their most reliable tool at their disposal.

Third, this episode features Jim Cummings as the voice of the pirate leader. Cummings is probably most known for his variety of work for Disney over the years, and it's great to hear him in Star Wars. Luckily he will be in next week's episode where the pirates seemingly capture out heroes and put them alongside Dooku. B-

Review: Clone Wars "Lair of Grievous"

In the most recent episode of Star Wars: Clone Wars, Kit Fisto and his former padawan are tricked into entering Grievous's home and are forced to face the evil general if they hope to leave. Count Dooku, tired of General Grievous' continual failure against the Jedi, tests the droid army general by allowing two Jedi to enter Grievous' home under the false pretenses. The episode is well-paced with action, suspense, and character development. I can't say that I was surprised how the episode played out, but it was entertaining to the end.

Dooku is portrayed as devious and manipulative as his master, pitting both sides against each other. If Grievous succeed, then there would be two less Jedi to bother Dooku, and if the Jedi won, Dooku would just find a new pawn to lead his army. Either way, Dooku wins. When Grievous returns home and finds his home invaded by Jedi, he attacks immediately, but the two Jedi cut him down to size. A weakened Grievous then has to rely on his home's array of booby traps and secret passages, while he is being repaired.

Writer Henry Gilroy stated that inspiration for the episode came from old serials where villains lived in elaborate lairs filled with monsters and deathtraps. I applaud the episode for attempting to flesh out the character of General Grievous. Most of the series, and Episode III, Grievous is just played as a two dimensional villain. Here, we see statues of Grievous back before he became a cyborg, and we meet the closest thing to a friend, his doctor droid.

My only complaint about the episode, aside from there could have been more booby traps used, is that Kit Fisto sliced the doctor droid in half. It just seems uncharacteristic of a Jedi to attack someone from behind, much less a noncombative, like the droid doctor. B+

Review: Clone Wars C-3PO

I recently bought the C-3PO figure modeled off of the new animated series, The Clone Wars. This particular figure is a mixed bag. Let's start with what's good about the figure. Hasbro, as always, has done a good job capturing the animated look of the figure. Unlike Obi-Wan and Anakin, C-3PO has the same look as in the live-action films, only a little more streamlined and simplified. The figure has a ton of articulation: neck, shoulders, elbows, mid-chest, knees, ankles, etc.

The bad thing is that C-3PO doesn't come with anything. Nothing. He only has a "light-up" feature, thanks to a transparent spot in the back of his head, which will light up his eyes when a strong beam of light is directed through said spot. The figure also seemed small, but he's as tall as Hasbro's other C-3PO figures. His arms are very thin, and feel, at times, like they're fragile.

Hasbro also decided to make the animated C-3PO with a dark bronze finish, instead of their usual golden chrome finish. The pictures I've seen of C-3PO in the show has him as more of a bright yellow-orange sheen. I'm not sure why they did this. I'm not saying that I don't like it, but it makes the figure less accurate. C+

(The other C-3PO pictured is the 2006-2007 figure with the Ewok chair. It, in my opinion, is the best mold Hasbro has made for C-3PO. The second best would be 2005's ROTS figure which is very similar except for the lack of knee joints.)

General Kenobi is Coming!

I got an email the other day from Sideshow Collectibles, saying that their 12" General obi-Wan Kenobi figure (in clone armor) will soon be on its way.

I've always find it so distressing how much of these high-end collectibles sell and fast. I've seen pictures of fans' collections with shelves and shelves of Medicoms and Hot Toys, each costing at least $150. My question is where do they get all that money? I know I'm not one to speak, seeing that I just admitted that I pre-ordered a $90 figure, but I had to twist my own arm to get it, and it's the only Sideshow figure I'm getting this year.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is how much people spend on statues, busts, "premium format" figures, as well as the 1/6 scale figures. Or rather how much are YOU spending on these things?

CD Review: The Clone Wars Soundtrack

The Clone Wars is the latest entry into the Star Wars franchise, a pilot movie for the upcoming television series. Kevin Kiner got tapped to score the movie (and presumedly the tv series.) Is he a John Williams wannabe? No. Kiner wasn't afraid to write music totally different than what's usually expected in a Star Wars film. And that's why many people are very disappointed with this soundtrack.

Let's first look at Kiner's strengths. Kiner's very talented at writing energetic pieces; the action pieces are clearly the highlight of the score, and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra just sounds lively and robust. But listening to "Battle of Christophsis," it sounds like Kiner pulls more from Silvestri or Goldsmith rather than Williams. Again, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but I wonder if Kiner made an effort at avoiding to sound like Williams. Afterall, it is refreshing to hear his ethnic music for the Teth planet.

Unfortunately, his weakness lies in thematic material. Again, he could just be avoiding Williams' themes, but even his own themes are sparsely used. His main theme (heard at the beginning of "General loathsom/Ahsoka") is hinted at from time to time, but never full blown. Kiner's use of Williams' main Star Wars theme is limited to 15 seconds in the main title and a 45 second end credits. I want to like his version of the theme, but it feels too clunky and half hearted.

The Force theme and the imperial March seemed to be hinted at in "The Shield," while "General loathsom/Ahsoka" has a snippet of the Force theme before changing into a new theme. "Fight to the End" contains the only full statement of Williams' Force Theme as well another hint of the Imperial March. And that's pretty much all the John Williams music present in the score. (I should mention that the beginning of "Admiral Yularen" resembles the Cloud City theme from ESB, but i don't know if this was intentional.)

Overall, the music is well done and excellently performed, but stronger use of themes would make this album sound more than a collection of diverse clips. C+

Recommended tracks:
03. The Battle of Christophsis
08. Anakin Vs Dooku
10. Destroying the Shield
11. B'omarr Monastery
13. The Shield
16. Obi-Wan's Negotiation
26. Courtyard Fight
31. Fight to the End

Legacy Collection Wave 2

Continuing my rant on Star Wars figures is a review of General Obi-Wan and Padme from Wave 2.

The two figures are wearing outfits from the first animated Clone Wars series, but are sculpted to resembled the actors from the live-action movies. Hasbro has already made a few figures like this, such as Anakin with ritual tattoos.

My feelings for the Obi-Wan figure are very hard to pin down. First of all, I'm a big fan of Obi-Wan clad in clone trooper armor, and can't wait for the 1/6 scale version later in the year. There's already been much talk about his face, but it doesn't really bother me. Overall, his sculpt holds up, but something seems off with the figure. Maybe the fact that his robes are half plastic and half cloth (and the cloth's pretty flimsy at that.) He has plenty of articulation and accessories: clone helmet, Episode III lightsaber, and lance. B



Padme, on the other hand, is down right perfect. Her cloth cape blends in with her plastic hood. She doesn't suffer from anorexic arms or legs like many other female figures. Her costume is a little plain, but the sculpted fringes on her arms and legs are nicely done. She has almost every kind of articulation you could ask for. Sadly, her only accessory is her pistol which fits perfectly in her holster. A-

Midnight Madness!

If you're in the know, then you were probably waiting outside your local Toys R Us store on July 25, 2008, just seconds away from midnight. Why, you ask? Because TRU was celebrating Hasbro's new blue-and-white line based on the new animated Clone Wars movie. At the Midnight Madness i attended, everything was rather tame. No one in costumes. No one trampled to death. Nice, orderly, and mostly gone in the first fifteen minutes. Here's a few that I managed to snag:

Clone Wars Obi-Wan and Anakin:
Hasbro did a great job creating 3D renditions of the new Clone Wars designs. I prefer Obi-Wan's design: the clone trooper armor makes his uniform stand out more than Anakin's and provides a better color contrast. Also, Obi-Wan's smirk gives him more personality. Anakin has the more traditional Jedi robes with the Vader-upper-chest-plate-thingy for armor. They have a decent amount of articulation: head, shoulders, elbows, wrist, waist, hips. I wish Hasbro had added knee joints, but pretty impressive anyway. Obi-Wan comes with his saber, jetpack, helmet, and projectile. Anakin comes with his saber, grappling hooks, a wrist blaster-thing, and projectile. Overall, Obi-Wan: B+, Anakin: B