'02|#41 - PADME AMIDALA™ - Coruscant™ Attack with Quick-Draw action
Includes:
• Exploding radar dish
• Blaster pistol
• Pilot helmet

SAGA - Basic Figure Attack of the Clones™ Collection 1, Wave 7 Figure, 11-10-2002

REVIEW brought to you by:
and
Click thumbnail for large image

Spice: The thrill of the chase has ended and strange enough figure number 41 showed up much later than that in the actual market place. Padme Amidala Coruscant Attack is a pleasant edition to the AOTC Saga line. The Quick Draw feature is nice because it actually works well. The blaster has some decent detail and does strap to the belt with some work. The appearance is quite pleasant simply because it doesn't stay stuck in a ridiculous action pose, eg. Padme Arena Escape. The helmet does fit on the figure but once it is there she resembles Beldar from the Coneheads! Who designed Typho? Why didn't they do Padme? I do love the way she articulates, however difficult to stand up. It seems that with every plus there is a minus J!

J: There is the answer Spice, Hasbro ventures into deeper cost-saving territory by recycling the Typho helmet for use here on Padme as well. If you fit the helmet on snugly the eyes don't line up with the visor, and Typho suffered from the same ocular disorder. This brain bucket is too big for Padme's noggin.

S: Do really think it is the same helmet? The figure seems to have difficulty (like many) standing up! I am one of the people who LIKED the Commtech stands. While the figures didn't sound just like the characters, at least they have something to stand on! That would be an improvement over this scrap heap of a "exploding radar dish" that is difficult to keep together once the factory rubber bands are removed. I like the detail but this thing seriously does not work. Maybe I've had one too many but it seems like this dish is a dud!

J: I have a feeling that this Padme took a Kaminoan dart (or a shrapnel blast) to the knee because, even with a REAL stand, one leg is longer than the other, so take advantage of those wild knees and compensate with a different stance to get her to stand evenly. The included radar dish is just eye candy to get kids to buy this at point of purchase, otherwise anybody will be hard-pressed to get any measurable use out of it.

S: This is better than the 'poster girl for Lady Speed Stick' Padme Arena Escape. The one pose wonder does not apply here and with a little more work she cradles the helmet in her left arm (see photo).

J: Now, take a look at the separately-molded, glued-on hair. If the assemblers got it on correctly on yours, then it'll look fine, otherwise it is askew and looks bizarre. I wish they could have designed her left hand to really get a grip on that helmet because she has butter fingers when you try to get it in position.

S: The figure also does not have any type of skirt that prohibits it from sitting properly in the Naboo Fighter. A real problem with figures with one pose wonder syndrome. See how many out of the first 40 you can fit in Anakin's Speeder! Try it, I dare you!

J: All right, just keep Padme out of Ani's speeder - if ya know what I mean. I gotta calm you down Spice, you're cranky because you haven't had your juice and a nap [ed. note: yes, this IS a double-entendre].

S: She'd like the back seat just as good as the meadow. The figure is a welcome addition to the collection, however, it would benefit collectors and kids who play with them to see a vast array of figures from AOTC rather than Endor Rebel Soldiers and Chewbacca's! Let's have Cleigg Lars, or Owen. What about Beru?

J: I'd rather be reviewing, say, Wat Tambor, or even Coleman Trebor (to make Forum buddy Coleman Picador happy), but the effort is present on these double-, even triple-dipping characters. I'll tolerate them inasmuch that the crew at Hasbro is trying to give you something with some impact. We know that Hasbro needs to release the obligatory 'core characters' to make kid collectors and new collectors happy, but they are going the extra mile on many of these reprises and outfit changes so I'll bite the bullet and buy them, all the while waiting for some good first-timers down the road apiece.


FINAL THOUGHTS:

	Spice - As provocative as a Speeder "backseat scene" sounds, the idea of making different incarnations of present figures isn't really necessary. It is nice seeing as there were so many different outfits for Padme. Like I said, for every plus there is a minus but this one squeaks out a thumbs up. One more dish-like thing and it goes down but yeah "Thumbs Up J."
	J - I like the detail, sculpt and paint deco, but I find the articulation overkill, muddling the overall effect of this one with legs that barely work. As with you, this one will ~barely~ nudge on through with a thumbs-up. I would have much rather been 'wowed' with this one, I asked Hasbro for white-hot rage, and they gave me a hissy-fit!

(Figure '02|#41, Asst. No. 84851, Item No. 84904, Backing Card P/N 6108683200, Window Insert P/N 6124421800, Date code 22191 (219th day of 2002; can be unique for the same figure) )

What's your opinion? Post your feedback here in the Forums: http://www.thejawa.com/YaBBse/index.php?board=14;action=display;threadid=3763