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'06 | #41 Death Star Gunner - Return of the Jedi (Reviewed 08-19-2006) 

Includes:
• Blaster Pistol
• Removable Chest Armor
• Base 

Click thumbnail for large image Spice: How can you not love something coming back in black? Perhaps one of the most deserving Imperials to require a make-over is the Death Star Gunner. The Power of the Force versions are terribly out-dated and while we can't confirm anything as great as a new Death Star playset, we at least get a picture of it in the cardback artwork! The fun with this one really doesn't start however, until you take it out of the package to see how much they did change. For many Trilogy purists this is a nightmare come true! However let's look at some of the initial changes first.

Click thumbnail for large image The first detail to really jump out at me was the addition of the antenna to the helmet. It is very encouraging to see they felt the need to not only improve, but vastly improve the previous mold. The removable chest armor is another fine, subtle but necessary detail. The design is much more accurate in not only the front but back as well. Another major improvement is the articulation to the shoulders, elbows and wrists. If you factor that in with bendable knees you really wonder why Hasbro is shoving Battlepacks, Attacktix, Unleashed and Titianium down our throats when they could sell 200 dollar plus Death Star playsets to any of us! What I'm really saying is this guy would sit really nice in a chair!

Click thumbnail for large image Trilogy purists are screaming foul and perhaps one of the most discussed aspect is the removable helmet feature. Looking close you can see the Clone Trooper facial features which will bother some people who are not big fans of the prequel films. I personally would have rather not seen the faces. Anyone who played Battlefront II learned of the Evolution of Stormtroopers. Why would we assume the facial features wouldn't change if little things like voices and other more noticeable traits did? Overall you can't deny the fact they did a really decent job trying to improve from past versions. I can live with the face! The extra mile they went with the blaster and holster is worth a mention as well.

Spice - The fact is there are worse things they have put in a package in this collection. This figure is definitely worth adding to your collections. This seems to be the one not to be found when I have spotted the Endor wave on the shelf. Is it army builders or the scalpers?

(Figure '06 | #041, Asst. No. 86930, Item No. 85770, Backing Card P/N 6495803500, Window Insert P/N 6574260000) 

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