June 2006
Story and Images by David Syczylo (Boba Binks)
 

THE REVIEW
The long loved and beloved Hasbro / PlaySkool Mr. Potato Head has once again made the jump into the Star Wars franchise for the third time. What else would hardcore Star Wars fans want from the makers of Star Wars products and Mr. Potato Head? At first you got Mr. Potato Head to walk down the path of the Dark Side as Darth Tater. Then he walks with other spuds in the ranks of a Spudtrooper. Now a smaller (Potato Head Kids Body?) Potato is the beloved Artoo-Potatoo.

Artoo-Potatoo is the heroic companion of Luke Frywalker. This feisty droid often finds himself in hot water, but always manages to save everyone’s skin. Now, Artoo must help Princess Tater with an urgent mission: deliver the Death Spud plans to her friends of the Rebellion! Mr. Potato Head / Artoo-Potatoo comes packed in a nice window box a little larger than the classic Mr. Potato Head package dressed as Artoo-Potatoo. The package has a nice little red carry handle on top for you to transport him anywhere ready for his next encounter. This version of Mr. Potato Head / Artoo-Potatoo comes with nine mix n' match parts.

#1 - The all known famous classic potato body (smaller)
#2 – Top Dome with Eyes
#3& #4 - Legs
#5 – Base (Middle Leg)
#6 – Front Panel
#7 – Robot Arm
#8 – Silly Face
#9 – Princess Tater Hologram

To store your extra Artoo-Potatoo parts you can… hey this potato body does not open! For an Astro Droid you would think you could put something inside. I guess not. Well you can always store the extra parts in the nice little box that he came in. What a jip! Who said Astro Droids are like a Swiss army knife? He can’t even store his own parts. And have you wondered what the face of an Artoo-Potatoo looked like under that dome? Well it is a potato unless you place on the silly face. On top of that Dome of his you can insert the Robot Arm. Not like it will do Luke Frywalker any good if he needs something. The arm does not even move, just snaps in place for show. Sorry Luke you are out of luck unless you want that bag of chips that is high up on that shelf.

Finally you have the Princess Tater Hologram. Man does Mr. Potato Head look ugly in drag. Oh wait that might be Mrs. Potato Head. Sorry about that. Do not send the Spud Troopers to get me. You look pretty even if you are just a hunk of blue plastic. Yes Artoo-Potatoo will show your hologram to Obi-Wan Spudobi. Overall the Mr. Potato Head / Artoo-Potatoo is once again a neat idea to bridge the gap of younger children to the Star Wars franchise. This little continuation of the Star Wars saga should I would think inspire young children to turn to the Force and see the all inspiring Star Wars universe that George Lucas has created for us to get lost in. I bought this item to stand next to my Darth Tater and Spudtrooper. I say bring on another Potato Head / Star Wars character. How about the above-mentioned Luke Frywalker, Obi-Wan Spudobi, or even better yet a Boba-Tot? You get it Tater-Tot and Boba Fett? Ok I will be quiet now.

End Transmission…