'05 | #50  Anakin Skywalker - with Battle Damage (Reviewed 06-01-2005)

Includes:
• Removable Cloak
• Interchangeable  Arms and Heads
• Lightsaber

Click thumbnail for large image Spice: In a huge surprise, this is not an just Anakin I'd rather do without. This is perhaps the greatest transformation figure to date. There is good reason to make more than one Anakin figure, and Hasbro does a pretty good job of illustrating the transition with number 50 with Battle Damage. On first inspection you'd think they gave you the 2 for 1 but after you crack the plastic you'll see it's merely an illusion created by the multiple arms and heads. Loose collectors will get a pretty good tool if they keep the insert that is under the cloak. A nice piece of plastic that will help prevent careless Troopers from losing the pieces! This is just another great reason to turn to the dark side...

Click thumbnail for large image J: I couldn't think of a better figure to literally dissect in joining with you, Spice, in the old one-two-punch rapid fire review format.  I just wonder why they waited until number 50 to do this one for any other reason except to keep this moment in the film under wraps until the theatrical release.  When I first saw this one on the pegs, images of Freddy vs. Jason returned although rather than the red and black sweater, you get a much less bulky cloak than those found on releases such as Saga Qui-Gon Jinn.

Click thumbnail for large image Spice: The figure itself is less than magnificent, you have to have it all to appreciate the total package. It does strike me funny you get four arms and not one has a joint on the elbow. Only the left battle damaged has a legitimate excuse. I was also shocked to see the left battle damaged arm doesn't have a bloody stump. I guess we'll all have to wait for that variation. The Lightsaber is less than impressive for the darkest Sith Lord of all time. They could have put just a little more detail into the paintjob on the handle. I guess it's very perplexing how Obi-Wan got both legs and his left arm in one swift stroke. There is nothing about the Battle Damaged version that is pleasant. Quite sad to see our hero fall so far from grace. Spice 3:16 says "Anakin just got his A#$ whupped!"

Click thumbnail for large image J:  Truth be told, they could have released half of this figure as strictly the lava-wash and it would have been enough to earn the thumbs-up.  The interesting caveot to this release is that it is that very marriage of the swapped-out pieces that lead to the one minor albiet noticeable fault which is the battle-damaged neck showing on the cloaked mode.  Seeing that you can barely see the contrast, it is a small compromise in assembling what might be the most innovative transformation feature in the modern basic line since the 1998 removable-helmet Vader... and this time it was a mere thirty day rather than a  fifteen year wait.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Spice - This is perhaps one of the greatest figures since they started cranking these bad boys out again in the 90's!  We only could dream of the Epic Lightsaber battle that was described on the clip and save file cards on the Red Carded packages. It's been a decade since and all we could do is want and wonder. Now we know and every good Trooper out there is sure to realize that is half the battle! Hand to God this is not just another Anakin figure we could all do without. Simply amazing for any and all.

J -  This may be the first time Hasbro has combined a core character, an action feature and a defining moment in a Star Wars film in a single package.  How they were able to formulate a figure that is geared toward both kids and collectors and succeeds on both counts gives you hope that OTC II isn't on the horizon .

(Figure '05 | #50, Asst. No. 85173, Item No. 85562, Backing Card P/N 6394133600, Window Insert P/N 6394143500 ) 

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