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'07 | #40  General McQuarrie - Empire Strikes Back (Reviewed 12-06-2007) 

Includes:
• Removable Helmet
• Blaster Pistol
• Commemorative Coin 

Click thumbnail for large image Spice: It's hard to say whether or not Ralph McQuarrie would care less if he ever became an action figure. I'd highly doubt that was a high priority when he generated the concept art for the original trilogy. In light of this speculation, you can say it was a class act on the part of Hasbro to not only honor McQuarrie with the signature series in the thirtieth anniversary collection, but to make his likeness in an action figure was nothing short of admirable. However I'd have to wonder why he wouldn't be in the Expanded Universe category vs. the Empire Strikes back, but this isn't the biggest let down of the fortieth figure.

Click thumbnail for large image It's too bad they didn't put a little more thought into generating the action figure for one of the greatest icons in Star Wars. The path to hell is once again paved with good intention as multi-million dollar save-a-buck Hasbro craps the bed in one of their greatest cheapskate moves of all time. Instead of the creation of an all-new sculpt they simply added a head to the body of Major Bren Derlin. What makes it flat out horrible is the way the head fits on the body. Or what I'd say the lack thereof. The bad combination of Ralph's ducktail and the high collar on the jacket, the head simply pops off without hardly any movement.

Click thumbnail for large image This creates further problems when you attempt to put the head gear on as well. I'm sorry but the head falling off endlessly and needlessly brings us back to the question of how does something like this get past quality control if they have such a thing? No ankle or knee movement leaves even more to be desired. In fact the only articulation it really has in the rolling elbows, which I loathe. The arms and legs move and with a head that constantly falls off, you'd be better off using a vintage mold from Kenner if you have to be so cheap.

Spice - It's just not good enough to put a name to a face for nothing more than to save a dollar. If you are going to distribute this to the number one fan base in the world, put quality and originality into the man you are striving so hard to honor and pay tribute to. Isn't that what made Star Wars so special? Do everything you can do be the best, and a half-cocked effort just doesn't cut it for a man who meant as much to the Saga as Ralph McQuarrie does. Great idea, awful execution and follow through.

(Figure '07 | #040, Asst. No. 87500, Item No. 87393, Backing Card P/N 6606728400, Window Insert P/N 660673700

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